3rd ODI | Zimbabwe v Ireland | 23rd Jan 2023

[secretzimbo]

^ Kaia's selection for that Scotland t20 was still the most stupid, random selection ever in that context at the time. Always been a good player in longer formats though and he had a really good Logan Cup season the year before that. They picked Roy for our Tests that winter but Innocent should have been in contention too.

In hindsight it’s clear they rated him and wanted to get him into the side, a birth in the t20 side In a meaningless series v Scotland was not a bad way to do it.

The fact he looks to be a multi-format player now we have to give the selectors credit.

He was playing club cricket in Scotland and we had about 8 injuries plus Myers absconded to university mid-series without telling anyone it was either Kaia or Rajput to open the batting He hadn't even played in the previous two Domestic t20 tournaments, there was no mention of him at the toss and the commentators literally didn't know who he was when he walked out to bat and were calling him Madhevere for the first five minutes As comical as they are, it's pleasing that Zimbabwean cricket is a bit more 'boring' nowadays with fewer incidents....

[secretzimbo]

I don't know why you all think Ballance should open. Why risk him against the new ball? I guarantee he can change gear, which is what everyone is hung up on.
Kaia looks reasonably solid atm. We're just looking for one opener then there's Ervine, Ballance, Williams, Burl (I think he should bat ahead of Raza), Raza, Marumani.
That's the best line up we've had for a long time.
Fuck imagine throwing BT in there!

Ervine, Ballance, Williams, Raza, Burl, Marumani/Madande - that takes us down to number 8 - too many. Realistically they cant all play (and one of Marumani/Madande HAS to), so someone needs to open.

I am definitely not convinced that Madhevere should open. He has basically never scored runs opening, and never opens in franchise cricket either. So add him to the middle order pile-up too.

Someone probably has to bat out of position and open. Raza/Burl the obvious candidates but both doing so well down the order. Ervine may struggle with pace early on. Ballance will be wasted out of position. Williams would probably have a tantrum.

Difficult

[secretzimbo]

Started raining again

[jaybro]

If Ballance could handle batting first drop for England & Yorkshire I think he can handle the new ball in ODI cricket. Zim has the right ‘Ballance’ in their lineup atm with

Kaia
*opener
Ervine
Williams
Raza
Burl

All of those guys are in their preferred and most successful positions, throwing Ballance in the middle muddles it all up imo.

[tej_27]

If Ballance could handle batting first drop for England & Yorkshire I think he can handle the new ball in ODI cricket. Zim has the right ‘Ballance’ in their lineup atm with

Kaia
*opener
Ervine
Williams
Raza
Burl

All of those guys are in their preferred and most successful positions, throwing Ballance in the middle muddles it all up imo.

I agree before the qualifiers Ballance needs to start opening
Also the keeper issue has to be sorted even if it means brining pj moor

[zimlover]

Looks like we are going to take the series 1-1, the rain is not going anywhere in a hurry.

The last ODI series between these sides ended up 1-1 with a washout IIRC

Unfortunately the weather seems to follow these two sides

Rain always wins, both team have limited resources at their disposal, I am not sure how good our drainage is at HSC

[tej_27]

They worked on it for 20-25 minutes and now rain has returned. Don't think we are getting any further game today that should be it

[ZIMDOGGY]

I don't know why you all think Ballance should open. Why risk him against the new ball? I guarantee he can change gear, which is what everyone is hung up on.
Kaia looks reasonably solid atm. We're just looking for one opener then there's Ervine, Ballance, Williams, Burl (I think he should bat ahead of Raza), Raza, Marumani.
That's the best line up we've had for a long time.
Fuck imagine throwing BT in there!

Chamu and Madhevere can fight it out for the other opening slot.
I'm looking at Chamu thru new eyes, he can play!

Speaking personally,
For me he should open and it is a no brainer.

Firstly, we have two opening slots open. And a fairly settled middle order.
Ervine-susceptible against the new ball, nervous starter. Already batting at 3, which is harder or as hard as opening. It wouldn’t suit him.
Williams- never opened in his life. Has earns the right to bat where he wants.

Raza- form of his life. Is saving our team coming in down the order. Why fix what isn’t broken and working well? Why should he be moved.

Wes- we tried him. Didn’t work. He also is a speedy run accumulator. We could move him back but really, why put a horse in a pigpen?

Burl- More of an all rounder now and don’t think he has the patience really. A few years back I’d have considered it.

There is your settled 3-7.

So why then do we have:
-A guy who’s been here 5 mins…
- A guy has opened for England…
- A guy bats well top order…
-A guy hasn’t proven himself for Zim (yet) ..

Coming into uoset the apple cart that’s rolling well to demand number 4?

Opening is where he is needed and can do well.
If the answer is he’s our best, then the modern game needs your best ones up front so it’s not a great argument in itself.

When he starts smacking centuries around like Thai hookers he can have a say.

[tej_27]

It has suddenly got very very bright and covers are coming out i think

[jaybro]

Speaking personally,
For me he should open and it is a no brainer.

Firstly, we have two opening slots open. And a fairly settled middle order.
Ervine-susceptible against the new ball, nervous starter. Already batting at 3, which is harder or as hard as opening. It wouldn’t suit him.
Williams- never opened in his life. Has earns the right to bat where he wants.

Raza- form of his life. Is saving our team coming in down the order. Why fix what isn’t broken and working well? Why should he be moved.

Wes- we tried him. Didn’t work. He also is a speedy run accumulator. We could move him back but really, why put a horse in a pigpen?

Burl- More of an all rounder now and don’t think he has the patience really. A few years back I’d have considered it.

There is your settled 3-7.

So why then do we have:
-A guy who’s been here 5 mins…
- A guy has opened for England…
- A guy bats well top order…
-A guy hasn’t proven himself for Zim (yet) ..

Coming into uoset the apple cart that’s rolling well to demand number 4?

Opening is where he is needed and can do well.
If the answer is he’s our best, then the modern game needs your best ones up front so it’s not a great argument in itself.

When he starts smacking centuries around like Thai hookers he can have a say.

The Dogg is right