Vision 2023

[eugene]

With Zimbabwe unlikely to trouble the scorers at the 2019 World Cup Qualifying tournament, I feel it is clearly time to call it a day with much of the old guard, yes some of them may be the best we currently have, but planning for 2023 needs to start now, particularly given how sporadic our cricket can be. There are going to be rough times ahead with a young team, but we know the current generation aren't good enough whereas the talent of the younger players is as of yet undetermined.

These are some of the big-name players who should be deemed surplus to requirements:
Hamilton Masakadza (34), Chamu Chibhabha (31), Vusi Sibanda (34), Brendan Taylor (32), Sean Williams (31), Elton Chigumbura (31), Malcolm Waller (33), Regis Chakabva (30), Tinsahe Panyangara (32), Christopher Mpofu (32)

Experienced players to keep around:
Graeme Cremer (31) - growing into the captaincy and is generally our best bowler of any discipline.
Craig Ervine (32) - probably personal favoritism, but we need to keep some experience in the team and he is the best candidate in the middle order. Needs to be given a much shorter leash by the selectors however.
Sikandar Raza (31) - probably our leading player of the last year, never lacks passion.
Peter Moor (27) - probably not good enough, but young enough to not cast-off altogether
Kyle Jarvis (28) - a source of disagreement among fans, I think Jarvis for the most part has performed well since his return.
Tendai Chisoro (29) - why is he not selected every match?
Solomon Mire (28) - I think he has more to offer if he bats down the order and bowls more

Young players to focus on:
Ryan Murray (19), Blessing Muzarabani (21), Wellington Masakadza (24), Tendai Chatara (26), Richard Ngarava (20), Carl Mumba (22), Neville Madziva (26), Tary Musakanda (23), Solomon Mire (28), Brandon Mavuta (20), Ryan Burl (23), Milton Shumba (17), Wesley Madhevere (17), Jayden Schadendorf (19)

Young players to bring back to ZC on elite contracts:
Nick Welch (20), Eddie Byrom (20)

[Kriterion_BD]

I've already said it, but you ought to wait till April when the Qualifiers are done to make a final assessment. Its only fair and also its the proper way to approach things. The Bangladesh Tri-series, this AFG tour, and the WCQ should all be regarded as one big series or one all important season. 15-16 ODI matches against opposition of varying levels will give a true picture of where everything stands.

[Black Mamba]

ZC doesn't think about Quality, they thinks firing Coaches, Captain and bringing back those old horses, who performed once in a blue moon will make them win games.

Country is packed with "average talents", who can perform just against weak nations those who are doing better and have talents are representing other nation. Unless Money attracts talents, Zimbabwe won't rise in cricket.

Supply line of talents, comes from under 19 cricket, and the connection of under 19 with Zimbabwe A and Natonal Team is poor, as most of them gets vanished after every under 19 world cup with other commitments.

[eugene]

I've already said it, but you ought to wait till April when the Qualifiers are done to make a final assessment. Its only fair and also its the proper way to approach things. The Bangladesh Tri-series, this AFG tour, and the WCQ should all be regarded as one big series or one all important season. 15-16 ODI matches against opposition of varying levels will give a true picture of where everything stands.

Oh I agree, I am not advocating blowing things up now, but once we fail to qualify.

[Kriterion_BD]

Oh I agree, I am not advocating blowing things up now, but once we fail to qualify.

ZIM not qualifying is not a foregone conclusion till it happens. Sure, the Windies and Afghans are favorites and the Irish and Dutch probably have roughly equal shots as ZIM. But 8 months ago who would have thought ZIM would win a series in Sri Lanka that too chasing down 300+ totals.

The Super Six stage of the WCQ is still 6 or so weeks away. A lot can happen in 40 days.

[Stoneman Returns]

Oh I agree, I am not advocating blowing things up now, but once we fail to qualify.

ZIM not qualifying is not a foregone conclusion till it happens. Sure, the Windies and Afghans are favorites and the Irish and Dutch probably have roughly equal shots as ZIM. But 8 months ago who would have thought ZIM would win a series in Sri Lanka that too chasing down 300+ totals.

The Super Six stage of the WCQ is still 6 or so weeks away. A lot can happen in 40 days.

Irish side is not as it was in 2015.Bowling was a big problem. Youth talented pacers and return of Rankin makes the bowling attack strong.Middle order batsman James Shannon has been included who has very good first class career. Qualifiers will be in African soil, pitches are being prepared under the guidance of ICC, so some assistance for the pacers will be available. Irish found better of this strong Afghanistan with 2-1 victory in UAE and also surprised strong Windies Side in ICC 2015 World Cup. Equal chances for Windies, Afghans and Irish.

Hong Kong, Scotland, Netherlands can be the surprising factor.

[tawac]

Tino Mutombodzi (27)
K Kasuza (24)
C Kunje (23)

These players have been around for a while and I'm sure will be part of the team when guys like Hammy, Waller, Ervine make way.

[Googly]

What’s in store for us if we don’t qualify? That’s the big big unknown. We’re getting the set amounts as guaranteed by ICC for the foreseeable future but we need the assurance of plenty of games (including T20’s). It’s just more of the same under the current administration, that’s the problem. The foreseeable future means today for some and 5 years ahead for others. We’re saddled with the today guys.

[Jemisi]

If we fail to qualify, then maybe. Not time to fuss around with the team at the moment right before the qualifiers.

[Googly]

I don’t think the up and coming guys you’re talking about, Eugene, are going to adequately replace the Old War Horses you’re wanting to put to pasture. It will be more of the same. Actually less of the same.
I know people are saying if those youngsters had had the same exposure as some of the other guys they’d be better, but I don’t think so. I rate Mumba, Murray, Burl and Tari, I think there’s material to work with, but they have a mountain to climb. I don’t think the others are close, just my opinion. There are some decent players, but to be able to compete on the international stage is a big ask. We’re in miracle territory and we’re going to have to resign ourselves to being middle of tier 2 pretty soon. It doesn’t end there, unless things change dramatically that’s going to be temporary as well.
We’ve talked about older national players who will be looking at stepping aside in the not too distant future, but what happens when a bigger bunch of guys quit franchise as well? Then the shit is so deep we need a snorkel.