Zimbabwe vs England | Only Test | 22 - 25th May 2025

[Marshmallow]

He is a quality player but he misses most of the logan cup matches. I don't think he himself likes to get picked for the test side.

[Googly]

Is this one of those warm-up games where you can play extra batters and bowlers?
If its an 11 vs 11 who's sitting out for Tanu Makoni? Its logically either Welch or Curran?
Unless one of those 3 now bat in Raza's spot? I see no reason to bring in a 1-3 for this game unless they're dropping Welch or Curran. Unless they've abandoned their like for like and anybody can bat anywhere? Really not sure how Tanu replaces a middle order all-rounder?

You just dont know who they'll pick actually or how they'll shuffle the line-up. They could drop Williams or Ervine on the basis that they have the experience and they want to blood someone new? All things are possible. The one thing we know is that Salamander won't have much say.

I was reading the X posts as Makoni's inclusion has caused a stir. He had a really excellent FC season, looks like he's had a poor time of it in English/Scottish conditions recently? He struggles against better bowling. His defence looks pretty good. H's got a couple of major flaws driving though. Not that SA will give u too many drive balls.

ZC are crying for a top order black batter to make the grade. In my opinion there are 4 guys to persevere with- kaitano as an opener, Bawa, Myers and Maru. Yes I said Maru! These guys are good players. Or they could try Wes up the order again, or give Joylord another life.
I just haven't seen anyone else that looks like they can survive at this level. You could throw Kaia and Maruma into the mix as well in terms of real ability.

The problem is we know our domestic doesn't cut it as a good enough stepping stone yet they use it as the only benchmark. I've always said this- a really sharp guy has to be able to identify guys with something extra- whether its time on the ball, technique, strong mind, shot selection, work ethic or whatever and those are the guys you persevere with. I agree mostly with guys who've done well to get an opportunity, but in cricket that has to coincide with someone doing poorly. You need the planets to align for you. Thats why they have A games. Then you have to do well there and once again that has to coincide with someone doing badly in the main side. Then ideally someone with knowledge has to make the call that its a good swap and not to continue with the first choice guy. Theyre looking to give Makoni a shot when our top order looks about as solid as its ever been, that doesnt make sense. Craig is having a poor time of it, but hes quality.

The like for like for Raza surely has to be Burl, Wes or Campbell? If Knackers really is on the verge of being eligible he's also an option. I'd love to see him up against the SA attack if his eligibility is imminent and its a "friendly".

I see Masekesa has had a call up. I'm assuming he'll play.
I look forward to watching him.

Regarding Falao- we've got a couple of guys that should be ahead of him. The two most obvious ones are Matigimu and Evans. Without having seen Gimu at this level the only guy we have that brings some sort of stability to our seam attack to complement Blessing is Evans. Personally i believe Gimu will make the transition. Without Blessing in the line-up and no Evans this could be really embarrassing. They're looking for a black equivalent of Evans and that surely has to be Matigimu and yet he's not being considered? Either he's injured or there's a passport or eligibility issue.

I just dont get their preoccupation with Clive as keeper batsman. Is it Sammonds that sees something? He's a decent enuf player, but I just dont see him making it. He's going to get even more opportunities so we will know for sure down the road. In the meantime they're keeping Matt Welch at bay who has a higher ceiling than just about anybody. He would walk into any county squad just out of sheer ability as a player to bring on. They've got this thing about players of interest and here's MW aged only 21 who's a level up in terms of technique and ability not even getting A level exposure or North vs South stuff? And stopped him keeping just to make sure he can only compete as a pure batter. It really stinks.
What would also stink is if they drop Tsiga for Clive in this game. Tsiga has done ok.

I just dont think we're in a position to mess around in these "practice" games. Sure they're as the name suggests but we cant keep getting slaughtered and then claim its not our strongest side and just you wait Henry Higgins when we field our best eleven. We lose just a bit more credibility each time we get pasted.

Wife beater Boycott has got the attention he wants and he's waiting....

[Googly]

Root makes this game look too easy

[sloandog]

An absolute magician.

[Pat_Bee]

Opener replacing an all rounder who replaced a spinner