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A lot of positives have been happening with respect to Zimbabwean Cricket, and it seems whatever we wish here at ZCF is becoming true , the latest news being the involvement of Heath Streak in the coaching role.

So, let us speculate more, and see if we get things right again. We got some talented players back, and some past greats in administration and coaching setup, and new systems are coming in place too.

What do we expect next?

1. David Houghton taking up the head coach job
2. Return of Sean Ervine
3. Return of Friend / Blignaut / Ireland / Panyangara (or all of them)
4. A series each against New Zealand, the West Indies and Pakistan as a precursor to regaining test status.
5. Grant Flower as fielding coach
6. Change in captaincy

We can discuss these, and add more on to the list...

1. This is a possiblity though it may be he comes back to coach at the academy (if it still exists) or takes charge of a franchise.
2. I really can't see Sean Ervine coming back. He has an Irish passport and presumably is planning on qualifying for a British one so unless the Zimbabwean government changes the law regarding dual citizenship I doubt he is going to give those up for a "green mamba." Beyond that he is pretty established in the Hampshire side so I don't think he will jeapordise that. I did however read the other day that the MDC is planning to revise the laws regarding dual citizenship so who knows?
3. Out of these four the most likely I would say are Panyangara (injury permitting) and Ireland, who to be honest has hardly set the world alight at Gloucestershire and is unlikely to be kept on after the end of the season. I am aware that Travis Friend is qualifying or has qualified as a pilot so that may have a say in what he does. As for Blignaut, he is a bit of an engima so its anybody's guess really.
4. This could very well happen. It may well depend on the willingness of a team like NZ to travel to Zim, as well as a willingness to play unofficial "tests" which would be the true test of how well Zimbabwe will do back at the top level of cricket. Given the Windies problems at the moment we could well give them a run for their money.
5. Grant Flower could well head back depending on his family and when his contract at Essex comes to an end. Though who knows he could join the England set up instead. There is form - Trevor Penney as a specialist fielder/coach for England a few years back. And given his brother is in charge...
6. A change in captaincy is a very sticky wicket indeed. To take it from Utseya and give it to a white player is going to be an extremely politically charged decision with an inevitable Herald editorial condemning it, so that is not going to happen. Taibu has had issues so that will probably rule him out which really only leaves Masakadza or Chigumbura. I would root for Hamilton to avoid putting any more pressure on Zim's leading all-rounder and certainly one of their potential match winners. The other question that needs to be asked regarding Utseya, is that without the captaincy does he warrant his place in the team? He doesn't take many wickets though he does bowl economically. Is this enough?

7. Day/Night cricket in Zimbabwe: This was mentioned during the series against Bangladesh. I hope this is a real possibility, as long as the grounds have their own generators.

1) I think ZC has made very good appointments in Streak and Alistair but we still have to change the coaching department and captain as well. There will be a lot of politics but i think its quite clear to everyone the Chawaguta and Utseya have failed and there records are there to prove it. If ZC wants transformation then we have to look in all departments. I think Utseya will make a better player if his captaincy is stripped off, because he is not the kind of person who leads from the front.

2) About Sean Ervine coming back, i don't know whether he wants to or not - but if i was to make a choice i would rather have Ireland or Panyangara than Sean. I was following him up when he was playing in Australia a some time ago and when he was playing for Hants. It seems like he is not bowling or maybe he had an injury of some sort. I think we will do well with quick bowlers than batsmen and slow bowlers.

Viva la Day night matches!!! Esp at Harare sports club but with its close proximity to State house, i doubt that!

bayhaus wrote:Viva la Day night matches!!! Esp at Harare sports club but with its close proximity to State house, i doubt that!

never thought about that, we might just forget about Day n Nights in Harare....mayb Queens

Is it beyond the realms of possibility to ever have a white captain again? I would hope the best player would be selected as captain regardless of their colour.

I am conscious of the fact that all of the people being brought back at the moment are white, which could be used as political ammunition. I can just see a Herald article now about 'white imperalists reclaiming cricket from everyday Zimbabweans.'

Still, I hold out hope that Ray Price will be made captain.

6. Captaincy issue is obviously the most difficult one, politically. A choice that would please majority and have least adverse effect would be Masakadza. Ideally, you would like to see Price there. But clearly, Taylor is a leadership material, and if he commits himself more to Zimbabwe cricket, he must be considered for the post sooner rather than later.

1. Going back to Sean Ervine issue, he had a torrid season at Australia when he first went there in 2004, and cited homesickness as the reason for dip in form. Once he came back home and made further trips between Australia and England, his performances improved. Obviously, he was a lot younger then, and has grown as a person now, but the lure of coming back home would probably play a part?

It is clear that he is currently committed to qualifying for England, but would he be an automatic selection once he does that? From what I have observed, his form is fluctuating all the time. But the fact is, he was the most talented player lost in the rebel walkout of 2004. Miracles do happen...

7. For day-nighters, we must leave QSC and HSC as the classis venues, and develop BAC, Mutare and Kwe-Kwe. That would be great in spreading the game as well.

This may sound controvertial to some but I think that Kamungozi probably warrants a place in the national set-up more than utseya, During his brieft stint with the national side i remember he was quite economical and spun the ball quite sharply

jimbo wrote:This may sound controvertial to some but I think that Kamungozi probably warrants a place in the national set-up more than utseya, During his brieft stint with the national side i remember he was quite economical and spun the ball quite sharply

Yeah he looked to be fairly decent in the Champ trophy in 2006, but in reality Cremer is the leading leg spinner in the country and probaly Mamura is the 2nd in line leg spinner.

I managed to get a good look at Cremer in the 5th ODI for the first time and i was really impresseds with what i saw as he has good control for a leg spinner and has all the varitys needed and hopefully when and if Utseya goes as captain Cremer will get a run in the side rather than the odd game here and