Match Thread - Kenya vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI

[Rayzer]

I feel we ought to go in with;

Sibanda
Masakadza
Williams
Matsikenyeri
Taibu
Waller
Chigumbura
Utseya
Price
Rainsford
Mpofu

If we'd rather have the 3 spinners, Dabengwa comes in for Mpofu. I feel we should stick with Sibanda/ Masakadza as the openers- I'd sooner have those two at the top hoping they'll find their form than drop them or split up a partnership that has had more success in the past than any other we've tried without Taylor. Taibu should bat 5 because if we lose early wickets he can stabilise better than the others and try to set up Chiggers for a late-inning surge. It might be a good idea to drop Matsikenyeri and give Chakabva a go (and give Waller the chance to build a longer innings) but I wouldn't chance it right away- again I'd sooner have Stuart out there than an unproven youngster.

[Detective RDS]

Where should Taibu bat?

I think,Tatenda Taibu should bat at number 4 position.Tatenda is the most successful and experienced batsmen of Zimbabwe in this team.So,I feel number 4 is the best position for him.Williams at 3,Taibu at 4 and Waller at 5 looks like a decent and strong middle order line up.Then comes Chigumbura,Dabengwa and Utseya.

Dabengwa is trying to be useful for the team in every prospect whether it's batting,bowling and fielding.Dabengwa was the highest run scorer of Zimbabwe in the last ODIs against Sri Lanka and took 3/15 against Bangladesh in the 1st ODI.He fielded well in the 2nd ODI as the 12th man.Returned in the 3rd ODI and scored an unbeaten 21 runs coming at no 8 and bowled 2 overs giving away 8 runs.He bats at no 7 or 8 and bowl as the 6th bowler.So,he deserves a place in the team.

I don't find any reason to stick with Vusimuzi Sibanda as he is failing all the time.A batting average of around 11 in the last 10 ODIs isnt a great record for a top order batsmen,it effects the score of the team.And I reckon,sooner or later Stuart Matsikenyeri will be dropped from the squad.I will go with giving youngsters like Malcolm Waller,Regis Chakabva and Bradley Staddon a chance in the future and Justice Chibhabha as a reserve.

My final Zimbabwean 11 will be:

1.Hamilton Masakadza
2.Stuart Matsikenyeri (Regis Chakabva/Bradley Staddon)
3.Sean Williams
4.Tatenda Taibu(WK)
5.Malcolm Waller
6.Keith Dabengwa (Regis Chakabva/Justice Chibhabha)
7.Elton Chigumbura
8.Prosper Utseya
9.Raymond Price
10.Edward Rainsford
11.Tawanda Mupariwa

My question is should Keith Dabengwa retain in the side and if so what's his role should be?

[BaijuSpeaks]

The last series was not a complete miss out for Zim as far as Iam concerned....The best is Williams coming back to his form and the discovery of Malcolm Waller..........One thing we all should agree is Zim cant go to glory back in one day....It takes time for the actual glory to come back and each of these series is a building block to it.Hope we all remember how Zim team of 1996 world cup got converted to an awesome team of 1999 wc.Even Bangladesh was like Zim only......After how many years of struggle they are now settling..that too only in their soil.

So, when we look forward to Kenya series, a gradual improvement shod be on focus. So if I go for a team it ll be


Mazakadza
Dabengwa/Matskinyeri
Williams
Taibu
Waller
Chakabva ( he shod come back)
Chingumbura
Utseya
Prize
Mupariwa
Rainsford

Seeing Dabengwa bat, Iam sure he can bat........I prefer him opening with Mazakadza.Anyway our openingn is a failure.So lets have a new try....and hope for the best.And, I desperately like Chakabva back in the side..........he can stabilise the middle order....Surely, this team can win Zim matches.........Now, my question

I remember Matskinyeri came to Zim side as an opener in the Pak series before 2003 wc...he also opened with Taylor for a no of ODIs.......And he has proved so many times thst he can raise to the occasion....like,, WC 2007 against Ireland, Against bangladesh in Zimbabwe, and many others....Yes, in my view he is the man.He shod open the innings

[brmtaylor.com admin]

This has gone way off topic, the point of this was for something a bit different, to come to a collective decision rather than just posting our desired first elevens. I've split the last few replies into a new topic.

[Detective RDS]

This has gone way off topic, the point of this was for something a bit different, to come to a collective decision rather than just posting our desired first elevens. I've split the last few replies into a new topic.

Well,you are right brmtaylor.com admin.Actually I think,no one is happy with the squad for the Kenya tour including me.Everyone is desparete to get back Regis Chakabva in the squad.I think,you also want to have some changes in the current squad.Don't you?

After the Kenya tour,I think the selectors should think about the squad again and pick the right players according to his performance and merit.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

The players are not flying back to Harare, they are going straight to Kenya via Dubai. The next match starts in just over 2 days time, there is no time for the selectors to pick a new squad.

Of course I think the likes of Chibhabha and Chakabva would be welcome additions to a squad which we now know is short on batting depth, but I don't know why ZC would see a great urgency to rush them to Kenya when we have a batsman in the squad (Mutizwa) who is yet to even play a match. I think the management would exhaust all other options before resorting to flying emergency players in, which is normally only done for injury anyway as far as I know.

[Kopje]

The players are not flying back to Harare, they are going straight to Kenya via Dubai. The next match starts in just over 2 days time, there is no time for the selectors to pick a new squad.

Of course I think the likes of Chibhabha and Chakabva would be welcome additions to a squad which we now know is short on batting depth, but I don't know why ZC would see a great urgency to rush them to Kenya when we have a batsman in the squad (Mutizwa) who is yet to even play a match. I think the management would exhaust all other options before resorting to flying emergency players in, which is normally only done for injury anyway as far as I know.

Thats right mate, no need for emergency players. That squad as it is, can be competitive enough to beat Kenya at home, Mutizwa i am eager to see him play.

[Detective RDS]

I know emergancy players arent possible to sent and no need for that also as all you agreed with it.This side is ofcourse strong sufficient to clean sweep Kenya by 5-0.But hope players like Regis Chakabva,Bradley Staddon will be picked for the future squad.And I want to see Forster Mutizwa playing.

And All the best to Zimbabwe for tommorow's match!

[r@ndom]

i think zimbabwe should have enough to win. not sure what the pitch is like or whether it will do anything. but i suppose it will be better than mirpur at least. as for the opposition who knows? Tikolo and Waters are good quality batsmen and Mishra if he still plays, as for their bowling and fielding zimbabwe's recent form suggests Kenya will have to play pretty well over the 5 matches even to win one. though it has to be said some of the players must be fatigued after the hard-fought series in bangladesh.

[Kopje]

I also hear Kenya they got a wonder kid who goes by the name, Seren Waters. Could we consider him a threat too?