Zimbabwe Training Squad for the 2 match test series against the Windies

[Black Mamba]

Zimbabwe declared 17 member training squad for the upcomming test series against the Windies.


Graeme Cremer (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva ( wk) , Malcolm Waller, Solomon Mire, Sikandar Raza Butt, Peter Moor ( wk) , Chamu Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Richard Ngarava, Chris Mpofu, Mike Chinouya, Kyle Jarvis, Nyasha Mayavo ( wk)

Zimbabwe Test Squad to be short out from these probables.
No place for Musakanda and Burl. Solomon Mire & Tendai Chisoro new commers in longer format, advantage of being allrounders.

Rhinos Wicket Keeper Batsman Nyasha Mayavo, only the new face in the squad.

[sloandog]

Good squad that, only Mayavao is the one that shouldn't be there..

[TapsC]

Good to see Chisoro back. Chatara might never play tests again at this rate. He doesn't seem to have full recovered. This probably means they will go with Mpofu and Jarvis and Cremer in that 8-3 setup of theirs. If they got with Chisoro-Cremer-Jarvis it will probably mean Chamu and Mire will open and bowl as well..

[jaybro]

Will be very interesting to see what lineup they go with, I don’t want to see Mire open but I’d be happy for him to be the No.8

We should have a competition to see who can get the closest to picking the XI they go with

[pariah]

Why bother calling it Zimbabwe? Should have just called it Rhino Tusks!

[brmtaylor.com admin]

So it's a shoot out between Chakabva and Moor for the wk spot. I think on form you have to go Chakabva. I like Moor in the team and his Test batting record to date has been fine, but he just hasn't done himself any favours. He's had plenty of chances of late and hasn't tonned up.

The make up of this squad indicates the infamous 8-3 combination.

So the only other question is do you pick Chibhabha or Mire to open? A shame Mawoyo didn't get in the squad. I'm going to backflip on my earlier call for Mire to get a look in. Let's give Chamu another chance first - I also think his bowling at Test level might be more impactful than Mire's.

1. Chibhabha
2. H Masakadza
3. C Ervine
4. Taylor
5. Williams
6. Raza
7. Chakabva (wk)
8. M Waller
9. Cremer (c)
10. Jarvis
11. Mpofu

Jarvis/Mpofu to take the new ball.
Chibhabha first change for a very short spell.
Then Williams for a short spell.
Then Cremer for most of the day at one end with the seamers and part-timers rotating in and out.

[aydee]

So it's a shoot out between Chakabva and Moor for the wk spot. I think on form you have to go Chakabva. I like Moor in the team and his Test batting record to date has been fine, but he just hasn't done himself any favours. He's had plenty of chances of late and hasn't tonned up.

The make up of this squad indicates the infamous 8-3 combination.

So the only other question is do you pick Chibhabha or Mire to open? A shame Mawoyo didn't get in the squad. I'm going to backflip on my earlier call for Mire to get a look in. Let's give Chamu another chance first - I also think his bowling at Test level might be more impactful than Mire's.

1. Chibhabha
2. H Masakadza
3. C Ervine
4. Taylor
5. Williams
6. Raza
7. Chakabva (wk)
8. M Waller
9. Cremer (c)
10. Jarvis
11. Mpofu

Jarvis/Mpofu to take the new ball.
Chibhabha first change for a very short spell.
Then Williams for a short spell.
Then Cremer for most of the day at one end with the seamers and part-timers rotating in and out.

I think the 8-3 is only a realistic prospect in Asia, or other spin-favouring conditions. Surely they will need a 3rd specialist seamer?! They could replace Waller at 8. Cremer is plenty good enough to bat 8.

I agree that Chakabva shades Moor for the keeping spot. Mire opening is interesting, after his ton in SL. However, surely he needs more FC form behind him? Therefore I agree that Chibhabha should get the nod.

[Andybligzz]

I get the whole team bonding and geling before a series but surely more fc games is what the players need especially Jarvis back bowling on zim wickets. But worrried about the 8-3 lineup as mire or Chibabha aren't really capable of going through a side . Would love to know chataras health at the moment , Jarvis and himself would have been a very very decent opening pair . We are desperate for more pace bowlers still I think , saw Bruce's stats from the first game anyone know much about him or is he another meth type bowler not capable of reaching above 130 kmh ?

[pariah]

We are desperate for more pace bowlers still I think , saw Bruce's stats from the first game...

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I don't think you could pick either Chinouya or Ngarava in a Test match on recent form.

It's not a question of where Cremer bats (he's a good Test batsman), but the quality of those below him. Jarvis/Ngarava/Mpofu for example is a very long tail.

If Tiripano was in the squad, you could drop Waller and have Cremer/Tiripano at 8/9 and not really lose anything with the bat plus have an extra seam option. The same could be said of Cremer/S Masakadza or Cremer/Meth (a few years ago). We've actually been pretty fortunate to have some decent seam bowling allrounders over the years, but there sure as hell aren't any in this squad. So I think we'll have to make do with Chibhabha.