Ziehl - I want to integrate the Under 19's

[sloandog]

I've just seen this on facebook; it doesn't have a link to the article but I'll try and find it as and when. It's some positive news though.

ZIMBABWE A TO PLAY INDIA A & SRILANKA A IN APRIL AND MAY

According to Zimbabwe cricket chief selector Mr Kenyon,
'' I want the current Zimbabwe U19 squad to form the core of the Zim A squad that will feature in these upcoming tours before we throw them into our main team, we have seen the likes of Snyder and Ives what they can do with the bat and its a wise step we are now taking to keep the same team together, i'll add at least 7 U19 players who are coming from the World cup and mix them with the likes of Tari Musakanda, Brian Chari, Ryan Burl and Nathan Waller who have been doing good in our recently ended domestic cricket.
It's a major step we are taking now and we will sit down with their parents and maybe get them pre-contracts for their commitment, i would like to have some one like Sikanda Raza to captain the side then will see how will take it from there but for now our board has lined up a busy schedule for the Zimbabwe A team, we also have Canada and Namibia national teams who have expressed interest to tour Zimbabwe A this year
.
Meanwhile South Africa is now set to honor their longtime former fast bowler Makhaya Ntini with a tour against Zimbabwe national team that is likely to take place in South Africa after the ongoing T20 World cup.

If and when i find the link to the article I will post it as I know this won't be taken seriously until there's legitimacy to it.

None the less, a few things to pick up on here.

1. Is Snyder good enough? We've seen the Ives has what it takes, all be it in a limited capacity but he'll expand his shots as he gets bigger, stronger and older, and with more exposure.
2. Has Nathan Waller really done enough to warrant a spot on this A team expedition?
3. It's great that he's looking at the Under 19's now, and the contract thing is brilliant, as well as speaking to their parents of course.
4. Will they commit?

[sixes fan]

snyder is gud enuf... b8r wth the bat than ives imo
shld be groomed for that opening spot & he cn take
fill it well b8r than chari in terms of aggression etc
plus age wise ......

nathan waller mmmhh debatable same as musakanda
yes he has the runs bt not gud enuf technically eg
how he struggled last u19 world cup unlyk snyder, ives,
mashinge facing 140 + bowlers, swing bowlers curran,
mahmood & rashid khan who destroyed our national
team

so yes i think snyder, ives, mashinge, murray, keefe
are gud enuf 4 zimA b8r than musakanda, maruma,
kaia, mutizwa etc.. & ives scored a century 4 katundu
kings last he played for them, snyder played also 2 games i think and has a 50

[zimlover]

Only time will tell

[eugene]

Ziehl seems to have a plan at least. A-team tours are imperative to the development of our young cricketers, I would rather throw some of these young guys into these tours instead of toiling away in the Logan Cup.

[sloandog]

Yea I mean Snyder is a big bloke and some of the shots he powered down the ground in the World Cup were brilliant. It's just that against Joseph he literally was backing away, although he managed to see him off and was solid on the front foot.

I like the thinking though of Ziehl - As Eugene says at least he has some sort of plan. Get these boys in the mix asap and show future under 19's the incentive to stay.

[Mueddie28]

Bravo...
Ziehl should actually be ZC chairman.. he has sort of a plan unlike some people talking about we need to see the coaches report before we communicate the way forward...
they saw the matches....right?

[Robbo]

That kind of foward, progessive thinking will probaly get Ziehl replaced!

[TapsC]

Shaun Snyder looks like a rugby player to me. I think he even plays for the Zim u19s. so I guess people have to ask him which sport is his passion.

this is definitely a positive move. there is no point of taking the likes of mpofu and nyumbu. the A team should be for future prospects and out of form players with ability. problem is I think is a lot of those kids are still in school so I doubt they can make it. playing for the A team for 3 or so years will definitely mould better cricketers who will not be shell shocked when they enter the international arena

[foreignfield]

Whatever your take on the individual players mentioned, the plan sounds almost too good to be true. Retaining the best of the young talent should have been a priority for years. I expect a more watered-down version, when reality (ZC's machinations) comes knocking, though. For a start, how many of the U19s are playing for the right club (Takashinga)? Tactically it's probably not the smartest move to name four whites among the six players mentioned. I can already sense someone sharpening the knifes and getting that card ready.

[gargamel]

I think kenyon is being a little overzealous and is showing no respect to some top guys who are on the cusp of selection and are years ahead of the Under 19s. These boys are kids and out of the whole group there are only 2 boys who have played a first class game which should be the field of play where they sharpen their skills and are groomed not sending the kids on a 6 week tour to Sri Lanka.My question is what excuse does he have of not picking a Mugochi, Masvaure, Chirimuuta, Chakabva, Mumba,Zhuwao,Zhawi, Maruma,Munyaradzi, . If he wants to involve the kids yes go and speak to the parents and know what their kids future plan is if cricket is not a viable option so be it let the kid go. But they need to cut their teeth in a first class setup which i feel can only be done through a quota or having the academy side revived and the kids playing from there before throwing them into the deepend on a ZIM A tour