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Yes I know how premature a call like this over a niggas career,
But I’ve been thinking of this topic a lot after last year, when the question was raised who the best black batsman was and Hamilton popped up.
As good as he was, that’s sad if he was the best.
His only opponent is Taibu, who was massively overrated as a batsman.
He had ticker, no doubt. But he was a mid twenties averaging batsman who pretty much wouldn’t have made the national side on batting alone for the most part.

Wes seems to have the Taibu ticker with the confidence and talent to take it to the next level. He has been in the under 19 scene since he was 15 and performed, so has the pedigree.

Is he already Our best?
Think about your answer in terms of a racehorse at the beginning of their career.
At 20 years of age, what blackie would you invest in?
Hammy? Taibu? Sibanda? kasuza? Or Wes?

Madondo was a damn good battery

I won’t call anything until I see how he gets out of a bad run of form.

For me Hami and Taibu and Vusi were really unlucky as there was far less stability and guiding hands in those days. The trauma of being bowled out for 35 etc. Wes on the other hand is surrounded by experience.

There is a big difference when you are facing Rashid Khan and it’s Milton Shumba at the other end struggling to stay afloat too or if it’s BT at the other end improvising and counter-attacking . That generation went through hell if we are being honest

So that being said, he has the platform to be the best

I don't think you can say he's started his career better than Hamilton did, Hami after all stared his test career with that 100 and another 80 odd against South Africa IIRC. The gloss came off Hami when he spent a long time in the side and it was clear he was always going to average high 20's at best.

It will be very disappointing if Wes doesn't surpass Hamilton and the other black batsman that have come before him, after all apart from Hamilton finishing with a Test average of 30 no other black batsman has averaged over that mark in any format. Even Hamilton often dipped below 30 in Tests and I would say from memory spent the majority of his career below 30.

What killed Hamilton was taking a 3 year holiday to go to uni.
Why can’t Zimbabweans see how that’s a cricket career killer

Possible. But as of now it has to be Hamilton followed by Taibu.

Taibu wasnt a very good batsman.

ZIMDOGGY wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:33 pm

Taibu wasnt a very good batsman.

I think you are tough on Tatenda. Remember he was left to lead a team of youngsters when he should have been focusing on reaching his peack as a batsman. If the rebel saga hadn't happened and Tatenda was left to do his thing he would have reached more lofty heights.

I have no sympathy for Hami because he constantly backed the board, so the idea that he was unlucky because of instability is something he will have to take as his own blame. He had many chances to fix it, but never wanted to. I've often said he had the ability to be a truly good player. A 40plus average could easily have been his, but he never really wanted that.

I think Wes has definitely got the talent to be the best black batsman we have seen. It's a little sad that it has taken this long to see one considering the guys before him who had raw talent and skill and should really have pushed on to something good, but Wes to me seems like he is a worker and always looking to learn. As long as he does not get caught up in politics then he definitely will be the best.