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I really think we need to start seeing the T20 side as a completely different set-up from the ODI and Test teams. Houghton has clearly stated, many time, that he wants an ultra-aggressive approach in this format. That's fine, but obviously you need to pick players who are comfortable with that. There's no point entering a classic Rolls Royce into a modern Formula 1 race. Ervine, Williams, Chakabva - they are all beautiful cricketers but this is not the right format or the right approach for them. Dropping a format may also help their longevity and help them stay for another year or two in the other formats.

BATTING

We need a batting lineup of guys who are all comfortable at going at 120SR consistently. We barely have anyone currently!

You can only afford 1 anchor player in this format. Probably at number three.
I think Ervine & Chakabva are finished and I wouldn't be surprised if Williams has another retirement.

Shumba - again, has no power game and struggles to rotate the strike. Lots of potential but I don't think T20 is for him either.

Burl & Raza - clearly as shown today, our class players. Should be at 4 and 5 for the forseeable.

Madhevere - Has struggled but still has loads of potential. In lieu of any other options we might as well keep giving him chances. Time still on his side and he has heaps of ability.

We honestly have very few options for T20's. Kaia and Kaitano would be more of the same, they shouldn't be considered for this format.

The domestic guys who are comfortable and confident with trying to hit big boundaries that I can think of from the top of my head are;
Marumani
Munyonga
Madande
Musekiwa
Muchawaya
Mayavo
Maunze
Mumba

ZC might be praying hard that Curran suddenly finds some form. But there aren't many options.

Let's get a batting coach who has good T20 and power hitting credentials, and hope and pray 1 or 2 of the above can go up a level. It's a big ask....

BOWLING

Our seamers were utterly terrible today but they've done enough in this tournament - Ngarava and Blessing are the best we have. No arguments there I don't think. The third seamer is interesting. Chatara is pretty innocuous. Jongwe probably needs time out of the side, although he remain a good option in the future. Evans needs to be getting a long run of games!
Nyauchi and Chivanga are squad options.
Alternatively you can look at some of the domestic seamers who are oaky-ish at bowling and can certainly hit the ball far with the bat. Mumba comes to mind.

In most conditions - in Zim and the subcontinent - there will be room for a specialist spinner. Wellington is not a bad cricketer at all. He's pretty reliable. I'm sure Mavuta will come back into the picture as well after his good form.

WICKET KEEPER
- Madande has been around the squad carrying drinks for a long time so he probably deserves a chance to see what he can do at least. He's a confusing cricketer because over the past few years since junior cricket he has done everything - opened the batting, batted low down, bowled offpsin, bowled medium pace, kept wicket! As a schoolboy he also had a reputation for big hitting, whilst in professional cricket he has been more of a classy Logan Cup player. So I'm not sure. But worth a go.
Marumani has been keeping wicket for Eagles which is obviously a deliberate move. He isn't impressive with the gloves though and I don't think we should be burdening the highest potential batter in the country with a secondary skill with the gloves.




1 Madhevere
2 Marumani
3 ???
4 Burl
5 Raza
6 Madande
7 Munyonga
8 Evans
9 Masakadza / Mavuta
10 Ngarava
11 Muzarabani

^ This could feasibly be our T20 team at the Africa Qualifier next year?

I think purely and simply we don’t have the players to do it. I think it’s what Rajput tried to do, but badly.

Bevause of that I don’t mind Williams etc still being in the team as I think it actually prolongs their career.

They are be at of a bad bunch (just talking in this format) and the paycheque and game time keeps them interested and occupied.

If I recall, the reason for Willos last retirement was being dumped unfairly robbed him of match fee’s.

Williams is much more capable than Ervine and Regis in this format so I wouldn't mind him staying, at number three. As the one anchor player.

But;

- He's just had another baby, I think literally 2 days before the World Cup started. I think he might want to call it a day. He's a bigger asset to us in Test and ODI cricket so if he wants to drop a format we should encourage him to drop T20's.

- If you are going to rebuild and phase out the older players then the time to do it is immediately after a world cup, giving the new guys as much time as possible before the next major event. Rajput tried to do it at a completely stupid time.

I'm still convinced that in the diaspora you may find talents in short term.
They would bridge the national squad while new breed can find their space.

Gary Ballance has no more chances to play for England, Ben Curran has a future without international cricket.
If they both join Zimbabwe a (first step) T20 rebuild would be obtained overnight.

Ballance is under contract and Curran can’t buy a run.

secretzimbo wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 06, 2022 1:18 pm

Ballance is under contract and Curran can’t buy a run.

D.Houghton expressed his welcome to have Ballance back. In Yorkshire it is likely they wouldn't press too much to hold him in county championship.

I don't agree on B.Curran. He is certainly not on his brothers level, but he is certainly better, much better, of other players who are in the national squad now.

andrea lanzoni wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 06, 2022 2:02 pm

secretzimbo wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 06, 2022 1:18 pm

Ballance is under contract and Curran can’t buy a run.

I don't agree on B.Curran. He is certainly not on his brothers level, but he is certainly better, much better, of other players who are in the national squad now.

He hasn't played a single innings in his senior career so far that suggests this, and he's 26 years old. So unless you have personally spent a lot of time with him in the nets, I suppose you are guessing based on his name and heritage.

He's a hope for the future maybe, but he's just had a very poor Pro50 and will need to find a hot streak of form quite soon.

The debate always goes back to 'overseas' guys unfortunately. I would be more interested to hear peoples thoughts on players from domestic cricket.

Ya I agree with everything you've said SZ.
Unfortunately the gap between Domestic and International is so big that it makes selection very difficult. A guy looking good in franchise will most likely be at sea against an international attack in T20 where they need to look for runs.

Curran has two more formats to show what he can do for the rest of the season and then obviously could hang around for another year. The problem is he will need to make runs or he's not worth a spot even in his franchise side. As ordinary as our leagues are they're still competitive, as evidenced by all the overseas struggling for runs. NW has done ok, but has gone out for soft dismissals when he's in. He's still managed to average 40 something not converting any innings, I'd be keen to see stats on who did what in the Pro 50.

My 10c worth is we just don't have the players. Ervine and Chakabva were bloody woeful this comp. To be captain and vice and contribute nothing makes it doubky difficult and stressful for them. They've had months to change their games and get it right and have not done so. Chakabva's set up is getting him into huge problems against real pace and swing. If you have to bring your bat around your body like that you're making it mire complicated than it already is. I'm mighty surprised he hasn't changed it. We can cuss them all we like but who is replacing them?
Madhevere was a bit unlucky today. He looks reasonably comfortable at this level, but that doesn't amount to anything if you can't find a way of not getting out and making runs.

There are only a few guys on the planet that would have looked good against the bowling today. And as soon as the bowlers know they don't have to get it right the pressure is off them and they bowl even better.
Having those twats laughing and joking whilst we look like rabbits is bloody enraging, if that doesn't motivate us to do a lot better then nothing will.

Dion myers could be a very good short format player.

Marumani has shown he is not overawed at this level. His 45 and 35 runs against australia is testament to this. Also bullies local sides.