Guessing & Compiling Franchise Squads

[Detective RDS]

Hello, everyone. As we all know we hardly get any news about the franchise squads, latest signings, exclusions, player movements etc.

So let's compile the franchise squads from whatever we know or are sure or can guess.

Cricinfo hardly covers Zimbabwe news, other Zimbabwean sites sports news are so scattered that it is both difficult and time consuming to dig up and find.

I'm guessing the players from previous season. Feel free to copy/paste the list in your post, update it by adding/subtracting the players. Also please update the players list who are attending university adding are they lost or not lost to Zimbabwe.

We ZCF are privileged to have first hand insider information on googly, gargamel, rupeni etc. They are better than cricinfo. So big thanks to you guys.

We may have got both similar and contrasting opinions and it's okay to agree to disagree. But I believe at the end of day we are a big happy family and want to see Zimbabwean cricket thriving.

ZC Central contracts list: Graeme Cremer, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara, Richmond Mutumbami, Donald Tiripano, Neville Madziva, Prince Masvaure, Wellington Masakadza, Malcolm Waller and Peter Moor.

--------------------------------------------
Midwest Rhinos: (Coach ?) (Captain ?) (Vice Captain ?)
Bat: Malcolm Waller (ZC), Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Maruma, Bothwell Chapungu
A/R: Prince Masvaure (ZC), Tendai Chisoro, Mkhululi Nyathi, Richard Muzhange
Pacer: Tinashe Panyangara (ZC), Neville Madziva (ZC), Carl Mumba, Mike Chinuoya
Spinner: Graeme Cremer (ZC), K Munyede, Brandon Mavuta
WK: Peter Moor (ZC), Nyasha Mayavo


Mountaineers: (Coach ?) (Captain ?) (Vice Captain ?)
Bat: Hamilton Masakadza (ZC), Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Kevin Kasuza, Innocent Kaia, Charles Kunje, Roy Kaia
A/R: Timycen Maruma, William Mashinge
Pacer: Tendai Chatara (ZC), Donald Tiripano (ZC), Shingirai Masakadza, Victor Nyauchi, Tatenda Mupunga
Spinner: Wellington Masakadza (ZC), Tapiwa Mufudza, Natsai Mushangwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi
WK: Forster Mutizwa, Kudzai Sauramba


Matabeleland Tuskers: (Coach Wayne James) (Captain John Nyumbu) (Vice Captain ?)
Bat: Craig Ervine (ZC), Sean Williams (?ZC), Brian Chari, Nkosana Mpofu, Bonaparte Mujuru
A/R: Luke Jongwe, Mbekezeli Mabuza
Pacer: Christopher Mpofu, Thabo Mboyi, Kyle Bowie (?), Charlton Tshuma, Brian Vitori, Steve Chimhamhiwa, Njabulo Ncube (?)
Spinner: John Nyumbu, Deven Bell (?), Dylan Hondo (?)
WK: Richmond Mutumbami (ZC), Shoun Handrisi, Taffy Mupariwa


Mashonalad Eagles: (Coach ?) (Captain ?) (Vice Captain ?)
Bat: Sikandar Raza (?ZC), Justice Chibhabha (ZC), Gary Chirimutta, Kudzai Maunze
A/R: Elton Chigumbura (ZC), Ryan Burl, Nathan Waller, Tinotenda Mutombodzi
Pacer: T Munyaradzi, Tafadzwa Muzarawetu, Trevor Garwe, Taurai Muzarabani, Gerald Aliseni (?), Brandon Diplock (?), Brighton Zhawi, Cuthbert Musoko (?)
Spinner: Herbert Chikomba, Brighton Mugochi
WK: Regis Chakabva, Joylord Gumbie, Craig Dollar (?)

-------------------------------------------------

U/19 or Development or Young Players (Uncontracted):
Bat:
A/R: Jeremy Ives (?)
Pacer: Tatenda Mantasa (Eagles ?), Richard Ngarava, Tatenda Chikuni (?)
Spinner: Rugare Magarira
WK:

Players who are attending the University and unavailable (Uncontracted):
Bat:
A/R: James Bruce (Rhinos), Godwill Mamhiyo (Tuskers), Malcolm Lake
Pacer:
Spinner:
WK: Ryan Murray (?)

Players who quit or haven't played in the last few years who ''could have been'' still a part:
Bat: Nick Welch (Eagles), Terrence Duffin (Tuskers), Stuart Matsikenyeri (Mountaineers), Stephan Marillier (Rocks), Cephas Zhuwao (Eagles)
A/R: Solomon Mire (Rhinos), Greg Lamb (Eagles)
Pacer: Tawanda Mupariwa (Tuskers), Keegan Meth (Tuskers), Callum Price (Mountaineers)
Spinner: Dylan Higgins (?)
WK: Charles Coventry (Tuskers)

[##Dougie Mariller]

Excellent Work.

What about Shaun Snyder, Adam Keefe, Brendan Sly ??

Eight teams will make the ( four day, T20, ODI ) domestic tournaments more competative & thriling


Eagles

Rhinos

Tuskers

Mountaineers

Manicaland

Midlands

Southern Rocks

The CFX Academy

[gargamel]

Mugochi has relocated to South Hampton to study .part of the varsity side in my opinion a world class bowler that Zimbabwe hsd lost.

[Googly]

Brendan Sly is playing golf full time. Sean Snyder was in Australia, perhaps at Uni? He's a good rugby player and I believe is playing both rugby and cricket there and doing well. I think Murray is going to Uni in SA. This young man is a great keeper, and can bat. I would be surprised if he pursued cricket seriously, which is a shame.
James Bruce must be close to finishing Uni (unless he's doing a medical degree, which is possible as his folks are medical people). It would be really good if he played a season or two, he's good.
I see on FB that Angus Curtis has signed a 3 year pro deal with Ulster (rugby), following in his father's footsteps. I will wager he will play for Ireland in the not too distant future. He would have been the answer for our opening slot in a couple of years time had he continued, he played compact risk free cricket to a very high standard. Captained U18 Dolphins but apparently was told that a pro career in SA was a long shot, thanks to their quota system, but probably always would have chosen rugby. This guy is one of the best cricketers we've seen in Zim.
Ed Byrom has signed some sort of contract with Somerset. He's in NZ playing for a club, but will be back for the County season.
NIck Welch is in Cape Town at the Gary Kirsten Academy, also heading back to the UK next season.
Snater is playing for Holland
Brad Evans is in Zim on holiday, going back to the UK as well. He's played a few club games, but I'm not sure how he's fared.
Matigimu finishes school in SA, he will probably go to Uni in SA.
Gary King is at Tuks in Pretoria, apparently playing decent cricket. I doubt he will pursue a cricket career, which is a shame as he's really decent.
Richie Lock is at Uni in UK, plays cricket but is probably off the county radar.
Kieran Geyle is also at Uni and also probably not on their radar. He's a good player.
Malcolm Lake is also at Uni in the UK. He may well come back and play here. He's got loads of potential but doesn't apply himself, he's put on a bit of weight apparently. This guy can play!!
I don't think ZC monitors these guys. I think they're of the view that if they want to play here then they must just arrive, which is fair enough. They're all youngsters and not really players they would feel the need to head hunt because they would automatically be selected like Taylor or Jarvis. I would like to see them get a franchise berth though, if they were to come home. We've seen most of the franchise players ad nauseum and there aren't too many exciting players in there, whereas a few of these guys may have a bit more to offer with the right coaching and opportunities.

[zimbofan88]

Brendan Sly is playing golf full time. Sean Snyder was in Australia, perhaps at Uni? He's a good rugby player and I believe is playing both rugby and cricket there and doing well. I think Murray is going to Uni in SA. This young man is a great keeper, and can bat. I would be surprised if he pursued cricket seriously, which is a shame.
James Bruce must be close to finishing Uni (unless he's doing a medical degree, which is possible as his folks are medical people). It would be really good if he played a season or two, he's good.
I see on FB that Angus Curtis has signed a 3 year pro deal with Ulster (rugby), following in his father's footsteps. I will wager he will play for Ireland in the not too distant future. He would have been the answer for our opening slot in a couple of years time had he continued, he played compact risk free cricket to a very high standard. Captained U18 Dolphins but apparently was told that a pro career in SA was a long shot, thanks to their quota system, but probably always would have chosen rugby. This guy is one of the best cricketers we've seen in Zim.
Ed Byrom has signed some sort of contract with Somerset. He's in NZ playing for a club, but will be back for the County season.
NIck Welch is in Cape Town at the Gary Kirsten Academy, also heading back to the UK next season.
Snater is playing for Holland
Brad Evans is in Zim on holiday, going back to the UK as well. He's played a few club games, but I'm not sure how he's fared.
Matigimu finishes school in SA, he will probably go to Uni in SA.
Gary King is at Tuks in Pretoria, apparently playing decent cricket. I doubt he will pursue a cricket career, which is a shame as he's really decent.
Richie Lock is at Uni in UK, plays cricket but is probably off the county radar.
Kieran Geyle is also at Uni and also probably not on their radar. He's a good player.
Malcolm Lake is also at Uni in the UK. He may well come back and play here. He's got loads of potential but doesn't apply himself, he's put on a bit of weight apparently. This guy can play!!
I don't think ZC monitors these guys. I think they're of the view that if they want to play here then they must just arrive, which is fair enough. They're all youngsters and not really players they would feel the need to head hunt because they would automatically be selected like Taylor or Jarvis. I would like to see them get a franchise berth though, if they were to come home. We've seen most of the franchise players ad nauseum and there aren't too many exciting players in there, whereas a few of these guys may have a bit more to offer with the right coaching and opportunities.

Let's say we miraculously get back all these guys to play for our domestic and national team. Also, add Ballance, Taylor, Jarvis, S Ervine etc, all those talented players who were born in Zim. Could we possibly be one of the best teams? like top-3 in the world?

[Googly]

People keep looking to a couple of miracle new players to improve our results, but the issue is sorting out how cricket is administered. A miracle six match winning streak (pardon the pun) would give undeserved legitimacy to ZC. The way our cricket is run is the problem. Unfortunately the economy has become a greater issue and even some sharp administration and new structures wouldn't solve the problems that the economy has created. I'm assuming the players will now be paid in bond notes? If you thought we had problems before wait until our players get paid in Monopoly money, particularly after an overseas tour or a World Cup. I'm sure you'll see a few more guys throwing in the towel.

[Googly]

@Zimfan88-
Absolutely not. At our best in the Flower/Goodwin era we were at best competitive. Cricket, being what it is, would throw up some wins enough times to keep us smiling, but we were hardly world beaters.
Jarvis is a good bowler, but he's not top 10. BT had been a great player for Zim, but there are some great batsmen out there. If we had 4 Kyle Jarvis's and 4 Ballance's and 3 Taylors we'd win some games, but we wouldn't be top of the tree by any stretch. They're all quality but the top teams have GREAT players in their sides. Who's to say a couple of those younger guys can't make it, but they would have done some extraordinary things at the level they're playing at now if they had that X factor.

[Kriterion_BD]

@Zimfan88-
Absolutely not. At our best in the Flower/Goodwin era we were at best competitive. Cricket, being what it is, would throw up some wins enough times to keep us smiling, but we were hardly world beaters.
Jarvis is a good bowler, but he's not top 10. BT had been a great player for Zim, but there are some great batsmen out there. If we had 4 Kyle Jarvis's and 4 Ballance's and 3 Taylors we'd win some games, but we wouldn't be top of the tree by any stretch. They're all quality but the top teams have GREAT players in their sides. Who's to say a couple of those younger guys can't make it, but they would have done some extraordinary things at the level they're playing at now if they had that X factor.

Yeah even in the Flower era, ZIM were in the top 8 (4th place!) only in 1997 as pointed out to me by eugene, with 12 wins, 8 losses in ODIs. 6 of those wins were against Kenya and Bangladesh, both associates at the time.

Without seeing Byrom and Welch, its hard to say how good they are. But Byrom seems to have really done well at County 2nd XI level. I think Welch has performed less than Byrom. But that means that Byrom is probably at least as good as Taylor, which is to say that he'd be a fantastic player for Zimbabwe. But to play for England, one has to be a tremendous cricketer. A player of the class of Eoin Morgan wasn't able to last in the Test side and would have done better to stay in Ireland if they had Test status...he'd have been an Irish legend like Andy Flower.

Ballance has really struggled over the past several months in all conditions. His Test average currently looks great at 39, but the way he's played so far, thats a flattering average.

Jarvis has done superbly in the county game the past 2 seasons. And his Test record is terrific too.

Sam Curran also looks good, but I'm not sure he can replicate it at the Test level, let alone in unhelpful conditions. Still, that he was even considered for the Test side touring India speaks volumes as to how prodigous his talent is.

Hilton Cartwright is also on the verge of playing for Australia, although the Aussies probably have the weakest side they've had in 20 years or more.

So in conclusion what would a theoretical full strength ZIM side look like:

Mawoyo/Raza
Byrom
Ballance
Taylor
Ervine
S Curran
Cartwright
Cremer
Jarvis
Mumba
Chatara

Musakanda, Williams, Welch, Burl, Moor would make a very strong bench. This team would be better than the WI, but would they be consistently good enough to get into the top 8?

[ZIMDOGGY]

Let's say we miraculously get back all these guys to play for our domestic and national team. Also, add Ballance, Taylor, Jarvis, S Ervine etc, all those talented players who were born in Zim. Could we possibly be one of the best teams? like top-3 in the world?

No, not at all.

If you look at it mathematically and realistically, a player like Ballance is a fringe test player at best. Other batsman like Taylor and Cartwright probably wouldnt make any other lineups. Taylor is just a run of the mill county player now, and although Cartwright is rising up the ranks, when I take my Zimbabwe hat off and put my Aussie one on, he will only ever be a fleeting one day player at best. No one looks at him and thinks he is a star in the making, they see him as a decent cricketer that can really hit a ball hard on his day.

On the bowling front its much worse. For as much as we love Jarvis, we love him in a Zimbabwean context, which is above a terrible bunch. In terms of elite bowlers, he wouldnt be anywhere near a top 6 test side.

In fact, our greatest ever paceman, Streak, was only a player that was ranked 7th in the world in his peak but kept it consistently for a bit.

Now, 7th is very much a world class ranking, but when you listen to Zimbabwean fans, youd be excused for thinking he dominated the top 3 over a decade. Not the case. If he played in oz, his career would have only lasted 6 seasons or so and would be a player that would be only talked about as a decent support act to Mcgrath and Lee. He would be a Paul Reiffel.

My ultimate point being is we could not be a top three team as we dont, and never have had, top 3 players (Andy Flower aside).

However, we could be a top 5 team with some form and conmsistency and, we would definitely be a team in the contest that would regularly upset the top.

[Kriterion_BD]

I think you've sold Cartwright and Jarvis a bit short. In his short Test career Jarvis showed he was a fantastic prospect. Yes, he wouldn't be the white Rabada, but he could be just as good as a Tim Southee and is as good as a Mohammad Shami already. Yes, Taylor is just a run of a mill county player, but before he left he was averaging 45 in Test cricket which is better than even an average county cricketer could hope for.

All in all, ZIM would be a very competitive side. Top 5? Thats a stretch given that Australia, England, and India will automatically always take up 3 of those slots. You can't beat the money, infrastructure, and talent pool they have. South Africa are at least for the time being looking solid (might falter under quotas in the future). Sri Lanka and Pakistan always punch above their weight despite not having any superstar players. The Kiwis have their strongest side ever and even Bangladesh are assembling real talent.

Top 8 would be a realistic goal especially with the Windies faltering. But even they've managed to win an away Test vs Pakistan in recent months.

You don't have to be in the top 5 or top 8 to be competitive or worthy of Test status. In the Flower era ZIM were always 9th, but respected in all circles because they fought well and maximized their talents. In the 2000s, the term "top 8" entered the parlance because Bangladesh and Zim were useless sides not worth of the Test name (at least according to some). The rank is less important than the respect a team garners and that depends on their overall fight and tenacity.