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Here is my pick, considering the fact that Taibu is still unavailable, serving the 10 match ban:

Playing XI:

Hamilton Masakadza (C) (Yes, as captain. Seems the best choice considering all angles, including political, if any)
Charles Coventry (His international form is good enough to keep him there, even after the disastrous domestic season so far)
Brendan Taylor (He can do nothing wrong at the moment)
Sean Williams (Mr. Consistant at the international scene)
Timycen Maruma (Same comments as Taylor)
Elton Chigumbura (Boom Boom!)
Forster Mutizwa (Should have been there in the Bangla series itself)
Graeme Cremer (Must get an extended run, at least now)
Raymond Price (Legend)
Ed Rainsford (The best fast bowling bet for now)
Christopher Mpofu (We have an issue in fast bowling department, and on form, he is the option)

Reserves:

Mark Vermeulen (impressive comeback, has to sort out a few things in his technique, as was found out towards the end of Bangla series)
Friday Kasteni (Has had an impressive domestic season so far, must be rewarded)
Prosper Utseya (May not be good enough to make the cut for playing XI, but getting back to his miserly best)
Tawanda Mupariwa (Experience at the highest level lets him Scrape through, as there aren't any better choices at the moment)

Near Misses:

Admire Manyumwa (Has to do more to push for selection)
Craig Ervine (Probably the most impressive of the returnees this domestic season, but need more time to assess him)
Greg Lamb (Same comments as Manyumwa)
Vusi Sibanda (Has to score more than a hundred to get back in)
Chamu Chibhabha (Has to concentrate on batting, and score big runs)
Trevor Garwe (Same comments as Manyumwa)

Great team, CrimsonAvenger. I would also pick Cremer ahead of Utseya but given the fact that the later is the team Captain I doubt that. And Utseya hasnt been half bad on the domestic front either. But who knows. New Coach, New Captain perhaps????? I also think Mpofu is peaking just at the right time. If he has a good run in the 4 day game he too will deserve a place in the ODI team. Streak will most definately go for a predominately seam attack.

Very impressive so far, Crimson, but my worry is who is going to open with Masakadza? I presume from your squad it may be Taylor but in my view he is best in the middle taking on the spinners. She will score frustratingly slowly sometimes but, as you rightly put it, he can do no wrong at the moment!
And I think Tawanda Mpariwa should always be in as first change bowler except where the pitch really doesn’t permit him, like maybe the subcontinent. If he can take wickets in Bulawayo you can bet he will take a handful at Harare Sports Club. He is a much smarter bowler that we have given him credit for and he doesn’t need to have the new ball to take wickets.

Agree on Mupariwa front. He is a thinking bowler, and the number of wickets he has got, as compared to Mpofu and Rainsford, shows that. But in my view, Rainsford, on international form, and Mpofu on current form would just edge ahead of him for a berth in the playing XI.

As far as opening is concerned, I would go with Coventry. He has done that before, albeit not very successfully. He is somebody who likes the ball to come on to the bat, and hence, better off opening. Specially against Kenya, since they have a lot of spin options for middle overs.

Taylor and Williams would be nos. 3 & 4, as they have the ability to anchor the innings.

I think you are over looking Stuart Matsikinyere. If domestic form is anything to go by and knowing the trend of Zimbabwean Team selection he has a spot in that team. He too used to be a great opener when he came onto the scene with a couple of kwik fire 50's. But a drop in form so him falling lower down the order. With Vermuelen and Coventry out of sorts he would be my best bet. I think he will have the confidance now and Kenya would really set him up for future games to come. Vusi would be a great prospect his been there forever but one hundred would not justify his selection.

1. Mark Vermeulen
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Charles Coventry
4. Brendan Taylor (WK)
5. Sean Williams
6. Stuart Matsikenyeri
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Raymond Price (C)
10. Tawanda Mupariwa
11. Edward Rainsford

12. Prosper Utseya
13. Timycen Maruma
14. Forster Mutizwa
15. Christopher Mpofu

tawac wrote:I think you are over looking Stuart Matsikinyere.

Ah yes! I knew I forgot someone, and it was Stuey. Probably the effect of Dabengwa not being around .

Yeah, he would surely be there in the 15. Kasteni would miss out from the squad I have listed down in that case. Tough on him, but hope he continues the good work.

I think Detective RDS has come up with a more realistic playing XI (apart from the captaincy, of course) than my idealistic one

The starting XI should be

1. Mark Vermeulen
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Sean Williams
4. Charles Coventry
5. Brendan Taylor
6. Forster Mutizwa
7. Elton Chigumbura
8. Graeme Cremer
9. Ray Price
10. Tawanda Mupariwa
11. Edward Rainsford