Player Ratings for RSA ODI Series
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:03 am
As we expected Zimbabwe lost all three ODI matches against the big brother South Africa, although we were surprised to see the pitches prepared which may have helped keep the results closer than what we expected. I think we were all pleasantly surprised with the bowling and very disappointed but not surprised with the batting. I think I speak for everyone here that it was disappointing not to see Murray play especially considering Moor and Chigumbura played all three matches.
Here are my player ratings out of 10
Hamilton Masakadza - 4/10: Disappointing series for the captain mainly because he got a start in all three matches yet got out in the 20's every time, considering the first two pitches were very difficult to bat on against the seamers he looked fairly comfortable, he got a brut of a ball in the third ODI by KG and got a 50/50 lbw in the 2nd, but he should be very disappointed by his shot to get out in the first game. Still the best opener Zimbabwe has (by some distance) so I find it hard to understand why his name is always one the fans want dropped.
Solomon Mire - 1/10: Lucky to get a single point as he made zero impact on this series with his nine runs from three digs Mire had a series to forget. Considering he doesn't bowl often the question has to be asked 'how long can Zimbabwe leave him in the side'?? His batting average has dropped to 21 below the likes of 'forum whipping boys' Stuey, Vusi, Chamu & Elton and he failed to cross 50 in his last 22 ODI innings!!! His last score past 50 being his 112 v Sri Lanka which he still seems to be living off, maybe a return to bowling and a move down the order might be his best move.
Craig Ervine - 1/10: Much like Mire this was a series to forget for Craig Ervine and again like Mire he has been suffering a lean patch for quite a while. Ervine was a touch unlucky as he got a terrible decision in the 1st game and got out to a ripper catch after bravely seeing off Steyn and Ngidi in the 2nd game. But he managed just the 10 runs for the entire series and his dismissal in the 3rd game was one we've seen too often. With all things being fair Ervine probably should be dropped for the BD series, but with the squad already announced and no domestic cricket being played there isn't anyone demanding to take his spot. A move down the order to 4 or 5 might be required if he's going to continue.
Brendan Taylor - 3/10: Much is expected from Zimbabwe's premier batsman and when he fails to deliver Zimbabwe usually also fail to deliver. Scores of 9 and 10 in the opening games led to Zimbabwe being bowled out for low totals and although his score of 40 in the third match wasn't the score his side required it helped them reach their best total of the series. BT looked assured against the seamers and dominant against the spinners, but a lazy foot cost him his wicket just when it looked as though he and Williams were going to lay the platform for a 250 plus score. His keeping was tidy as usual but BT will be disappointed with his returns with the bat especially in the 2nd game where a victory against South Africa went begging.
Sean Williams - 6/10: A typical series for Williams with bat and ball playing his part without fulfilling the 'match winner role' the forum have wanted from him. After lazy shots cost him his wicket in the first two ODI's he finally played a good innings in the third passing 50, the only Zimbo to do so all series. But in typical Williams fashion he failed to turn his 28th ODI 50 into three figures which has been the story of his career. Bowled well throughout the series without much luck another trait of his career also fielded very well.
PJ Moor - 2/10: How many 'Moor' chances in the ODI side will PJ get?? Averaging 19 it's hard to understand why he even made this tour, but a solid series v Pakistan and his overall standing as a great team member probably got him across the line. He looked good for three boundaries in the first game but then got stuck in a hole against Tahir in the 2nd match before he played a terrible guide to first slip in third ODI. In his defence his record is partly due to being moved around the order so much, he's batted in every spot down to 8, but again we are left looking to where suits him best? Maybe a move to open will help sure up the top order, but I still can't see him making many runs there.
Elton Chigumbura - 3/10: Top scored in the 1st ODI but showed little else in the series, hard to understand why the selectors or coach have gone back to him again as he is a shadow of his former self, much like Mire if he's not bowling he needs to make more runs. Having Murray and Kamunhakumwe warming the bench for him made no sense from the start and his weak dismissals in the 2nd and 3rd games will frustrate fans who were already calling for his head. In fairness he played some good shots in the 1st match.
Donald Tiripano - 8/10: Probably a bit high but in comparison to his team mates 'The Don' had a great series with bat and ball, despite only playing two games he was the 4th highest run scorer and 2nd highest wicket taker for Zimbabwe showing up some of his more highly rated team mates. He might not be the 'hard hitting - strike bowler' the fans want but he gets the job done in his own way. I still think Zimbabwe need to find a more dangerous third seamer, but whilst he's doing the job as he did this series Tiripano deserves his spot.
Brendon Mavuta - 6.5/10: Not a bad debut series for the young leggie who showed he is definitely a player for the future as he picked up four wickets and went for less than five runs an over, but he is still very raw and struggled to land his deliveries in the right spot often enough. The fact he was still able to pick up wickets despite struggling with control is a good trait, plenty of bowlers can land them but struggle to get wickets. Showed some attack with the bat in the 3rd game but still has a lot of work to do on his bowling.
Kyle Jarvis - 5/10: Another frustrating series for Jarvis in the coloured clothing as he struggled to find consistency and take wickets. His first spell in the 1st ODI was extremely poor and cost Zimbabwe any chance of a surprise victory. With the ball moving about and Chatara up the other end taking wickets if Jarvis was on his game he could have made things interesting. He did superbly in the 2nd ODI taking two for 20 odd showing he can be a force in 50 over cricket, he even showed some aggression by bouncing Ngidi then standing his ground whilst exchanging pleasantries. In the end three wickets from your spearhead isn't enough so still lots of work for KJ in the limited overs game.
Tendai Chatara - 8/10: Larry bowled extremely well in the first two games taking early wickets in both matches, despite his speed being down he still found a way to take out the South African top order. As mentioned above if he had some help in the first game Zimbabwe might have defended a small total, I can't understand why Hamilton didn't bowl him out in that game. Had a bit of a shocker in the third match but overall showed why he's Zimbabwe's best seamer in ODI cricket. His speed and mobility seems to be getting worse so I'm not sure how many more 'good years' we will get out of him, maybe saving him for ODI's is the best idea.
Wellington Masakadza - 6/10: Didn't get much of a chance as he only played the one game which was probably due to the team wanting a third seamer and the fact Williams also bowls left arm orthodox. Opened his account with a gem of ball to bowl Reeza Hendricks but struggled to emulate that delivery for the remainder of the game, his second spell was poor and effectively ended Zimbabwe's chances as Klassen hit his first two deliveries (which were long hops) for six, a third long hop was hit down deep mid wicket's throat gifting Wellington his 2nd wicket.
That's the way I saw it as usual I was probably a little generous in my ratings but Im always consistent in that, I'll just add finally about Hamilton's captaincy I thought he really missed a trick not bowling Chatara out in the first game but he was pretty good in the final two games. He bowled his strike fast bowlers an extra over up front in the 2nd game and his move to bring back Jarvis which resulted in the big wicket of Duminy was a touch of gold. Also in the third game he wasted no time bringing on the spinners when Markram and Hendricks were taking the seamers to town, then smartly brought Chatara and Jarvis back when the lights came on to see if they could get any movement from the dew. As I said the only thing I reckon he mucked up was not bowling Chatara out in game 1.
Here are my player ratings out of 10
Hamilton Masakadza - 4/10: Disappointing series for the captain mainly because he got a start in all three matches yet got out in the 20's every time, considering the first two pitches were very difficult to bat on against the seamers he looked fairly comfortable, he got a brut of a ball in the third ODI by KG and got a 50/50 lbw in the 2nd, but he should be very disappointed by his shot to get out in the first game. Still the best opener Zimbabwe has (by some distance) so I find it hard to understand why his name is always one the fans want dropped.
Solomon Mire - 1/10: Lucky to get a single point as he made zero impact on this series with his nine runs from three digs Mire had a series to forget. Considering he doesn't bowl often the question has to be asked 'how long can Zimbabwe leave him in the side'?? His batting average has dropped to 21 below the likes of 'forum whipping boys' Stuey, Vusi, Chamu & Elton and he failed to cross 50 in his last 22 ODI innings!!! His last score past 50 being his 112 v Sri Lanka which he still seems to be living off, maybe a return to bowling and a move down the order might be his best move.
Craig Ervine - 1/10: Much like Mire this was a series to forget for Craig Ervine and again like Mire he has been suffering a lean patch for quite a while. Ervine was a touch unlucky as he got a terrible decision in the 1st game and got out to a ripper catch after bravely seeing off Steyn and Ngidi in the 2nd game. But he managed just the 10 runs for the entire series and his dismissal in the 3rd game was one we've seen too often. With all things being fair Ervine probably should be dropped for the BD series, but with the squad already announced and no domestic cricket being played there isn't anyone demanding to take his spot. A move down the order to 4 or 5 might be required if he's going to continue.
Brendan Taylor - 3/10: Much is expected from Zimbabwe's premier batsman and when he fails to deliver Zimbabwe usually also fail to deliver. Scores of 9 and 10 in the opening games led to Zimbabwe being bowled out for low totals and although his score of 40 in the third match wasn't the score his side required it helped them reach their best total of the series. BT looked assured against the seamers and dominant against the spinners, but a lazy foot cost him his wicket just when it looked as though he and Williams were going to lay the platform for a 250 plus score. His keeping was tidy as usual but BT will be disappointed with his returns with the bat especially in the 2nd game where a victory against South Africa went begging.
Sean Williams - 6/10: A typical series for Williams with bat and ball playing his part without fulfilling the 'match winner role' the forum have wanted from him. After lazy shots cost him his wicket in the first two ODI's he finally played a good innings in the third passing 50, the only Zimbo to do so all series. But in typical Williams fashion he failed to turn his 28th ODI 50 into three figures which has been the story of his career. Bowled well throughout the series without much luck another trait of his career also fielded very well.
PJ Moor - 2/10: How many 'Moor' chances in the ODI side will PJ get?? Averaging 19 it's hard to understand why he even made this tour, but a solid series v Pakistan and his overall standing as a great team member probably got him across the line. He looked good for three boundaries in the first game but then got stuck in a hole against Tahir in the 2nd match before he played a terrible guide to first slip in third ODI. In his defence his record is partly due to being moved around the order so much, he's batted in every spot down to 8, but again we are left looking to where suits him best? Maybe a move to open will help sure up the top order, but I still can't see him making many runs there.
Elton Chigumbura - 3/10: Top scored in the 1st ODI but showed little else in the series, hard to understand why the selectors or coach have gone back to him again as he is a shadow of his former self, much like Mire if he's not bowling he needs to make more runs. Having Murray and Kamunhakumwe warming the bench for him made no sense from the start and his weak dismissals in the 2nd and 3rd games will frustrate fans who were already calling for his head. In fairness he played some good shots in the 1st match.
Donald Tiripano - 8/10: Probably a bit high but in comparison to his team mates 'The Don' had a great series with bat and ball, despite only playing two games he was the 4th highest run scorer and 2nd highest wicket taker for Zimbabwe showing up some of his more highly rated team mates. He might not be the 'hard hitting - strike bowler' the fans want but he gets the job done in his own way. I still think Zimbabwe need to find a more dangerous third seamer, but whilst he's doing the job as he did this series Tiripano deserves his spot.
Brendon Mavuta - 6.5/10: Not a bad debut series for the young leggie who showed he is definitely a player for the future as he picked up four wickets and went for less than five runs an over, but he is still very raw and struggled to land his deliveries in the right spot often enough. The fact he was still able to pick up wickets despite struggling with control is a good trait, plenty of bowlers can land them but struggle to get wickets. Showed some attack with the bat in the 3rd game but still has a lot of work to do on his bowling.
Kyle Jarvis - 5/10: Another frustrating series for Jarvis in the coloured clothing as he struggled to find consistency and take wickets. His first spell in the 1st ODI was extremely poor and cost Zimbabwe any chance of a surprise victory. With the ball moving about and Chatara up the other end taking wickets if Jarvis was on his game he could have made things interesting. He did superbly in the 2nd ODI taking two for 20 odd showing he can be a force in 50 over cricket, he even showed some aggression by bouncing Ngidi then standing his ground whilst exchanging pleasantries. In the end three wickets from your spearhead isn't enough so still lots of work for KJ in the limited overs game.
Tendai Chatara - 8/10: Larry bowled extremely well in the first two games taking early wickets in both matches, despite his speed being down he still found a way to take out the South African top order. As mentioned above if he had some help in the first game Zimbabwe might have defended a small total, I can't understand why Hamilton didn't bowl him out in that game. Had a bit of a shocker in the third match but overall showed why he's Zimbabwe's best seamer in ODI cricket. His speed and mobility seems to be getting worse so I'm not sure how many more 'good years' we will get out of him, maybe saving him for ODI's is the best idea.
Wellington Masakadza - 6/10: Didn't get much of a chance as he only played the one game which was probably due to the team wanting a third seamer and the fact Williams also bowls left arm orthodox. Opened his account with a gem of ball to bowl Reeza Hendricks but struggled to emulate that delivery for the remainder of the game, his second spell was poor and effectively ended Zimbabwe's chances as Klassen hit his first two deliveries (which were long hops) for six, a third long hop was hit down deep mid wicket's throat gifting Wellington his 2nd wicket.
That's the way I saw it as usual I was probably a little generous in my ratings but Im always consistent in that, I'll just add finally about Hamilton's captaincy I thought he really missed a trick not bowling Chatara out in the first game but he was pretty good in the final two games. He bowled his strike fast bowlers an extra over up front in the 2nd game and his move to bring back Jarvis which resulted in the big wicket of Duminy was a touch of gold. Also in the third game he wasted no time bringing on the spinners when Markram and Hendricks were taking the seamers to town, then smartly brought Chatara and Jarvis back when the lights came on to see if they could get any movement from the dew. As I said the only thing I reckon he mucked up was not bowling Chatara out in game 1.
. Certainly the case with Cremer, I only accepted that he had come on leaps and bounds towards the last 12 months of his career...