Deciphering the madness

[brmtaylor.com admin]

What a complete shambles these upcoming tour arrangements are.

Tour: Namibia away (Mar 10 - Mar 16)
Tour: Deodhar Trophy away (Mar 13 - Mar 18)
Tour: Sri Lanka away (Mar 11 - Mar 22)
Tour: Canada home (Mar 18 - Mar 26)
Tour: Faithwear home (Feb 28 - Mar 7)

Apparently Namibia is now set for mid-March: viewtopic.php?p=5931#p5931
Even though news sites reported it would start late February (which would clash with Faithwear).

If those dates above are correct, that would mean that:

Zimbabwe in Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe A in India
Zimbabwe B in Namibia
Zimbabwe C vs Canada

With perhaps some "squad mergers" as completed tours end and new tours begin.

or something to that effect, because 4 different sides would be needed. Bear in mind we probably don't have that many coaches, team managers, physios, match analysts, etc.



Incidentally, I love how Cricinfo have included "National League round-up" under one of their articles, as if they've actually given a damn about club cricket over the last 4 months


So, what has gone wrong? Are the fixtures wrong, or does Zimbabwe seriously intend to play around 50 players in the coming month?

[zimfan1]

Zimbabwe A can play both the series against Namibia and Canada so we only need three sides

i agree its a mess and sums up ZC but at least all our players will be playing competitive cricket

[CrimsonAvenger]

One thing is for sure, Zimbabwe Cricket Fans were never this busy in the history of the game's existence. This might be madness, but in a way, I am loving it

[brmtaylor.com admin]

One thing is for sure, Zimbabwe Cricket Fans were never this busy in the history of the game's existence. This might be madness, but in a way, I am loving it

Indeed
February 25th 2009, remember the date. It is an important one. It is the day ZC decided to embark on the most complex logistical operation in the history of the universe.

I agree, in a way it is oddly fascinating

Zimbabwe A can play both the series against Namibia and Canada so we only need three sides

i agree its a mess and sums up ZC but at least all our players will be playing competitive cricket

Ah that's a good point. Especially if the Canadians play a tour match (I reckon they will have a one-dayer vs Northerns) then that would allow the team enough time to return home from Namibia and prepare for the series against Canada.

I guess that begs another question, who are we sending to India? It seems that we are sending Vermeulen and Coventry and co to Namibia... maybe a development eleven in order to use the Indian facilities?

[Train Driver]

Surely common decency dictates that the side that plays in the Deodhar is of a reasonable strength.

The BCCI have invited an outside team into a competition that will have 5 pretty damn strong domestic sides, it would be grossly unfair on 3 of those sides if the other 2 played non-matches against a Zim developmental side of 18 year olds, or younger.

Only the BCCI and ZC will know the exact agreement, but i'm sure that the BCCI must have demanded a Zim squad able to put up a half decent fight on the field.

Otherwise, the way things are looking, the squad may be so young they will need to take their parents and teachers with them to India

[Detective RDS]

It's indeed a madness!

I will try to make the things a little bit easy:

DOMESTIC COMPETITION: Faithwear home (Feb 28 - Mar 7)

1.Tour: Sri Lanka away (Mar 11 - Mar 22) [ZIM National side]

2.Tour: Namibia away (Mar 10 - Mar 16) [ZIM 'A' side]

3.Tour: Canada home (Mar 18 - Mar 26) [ZIM 'A' side probably]

4.Tour: Deodhar Trophy away (Mar 13 - Mar 18) [ZIM representative side probably]

I guess,the Zimbabwean 'A' will be better than the national side with the presence of players likes of Mark Vermeulen,Charles Coventry,Malcolm Waller,Regis Chakabva.

It means that Vusimuzi Sibanda,Keith Dabengwa will not be dropped for the Sri Lankan series.It's really a matter of shame.Sibanda averages just 14 in his last 10 or more ODIs.Keith Dabengwa hasnt done anything extra-ordinary in the Kenyan series where the most of players did.I strongly opt for this 2 players should have been dropped.

Zimfan 1 is right,Zimbabwean 'A' side can play both against Namibia and Canada.The 1st fixture was better than the actual,I reckon.Namibia tour was to start from Feb 28th.Then the selectors could have able to name 2 different Zim 'A' side against Namibia and Canada.Considering Vermeulen,Coventry,Waller and Chakabva for selection.But this didnt happen.Shame!!!!!!

I think,a representative side of Zimbabwe will play in the Deodhar Trophy in India.It means 3 squads needs to be set up.

1.National side(To play against Sri Lanka)
2.A side(To play against Namibia and Canada)
3.Representative side(To play in India for Deodhar Trophy)

I am giving here a logic.The action of ZC is defensive.They really dont want to lose against Namibia and Canada.So,they named a strong side for both series probably.They think that there is more chance to lose against Sri Lanka if they included Vermeulen,Waller,Coventry,Chakabva in the national side.At that time the 'A' side will look weak too.So,there would be chances to lose against Canada.So,the result would be losing against all the teams.So,ZC decided to win against associates sides and Sri Lankan series if they win it will be a bonus.

But I would rather pick up the best team to play against Sri Lanka.International matches are more inportant.If Zim can dominate in batting,bowling and fielding,I dont find any reason why they will not win.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Well put Detective RDS, I like your logic. What you say makes sense, probably that is how it will all end up happening.