ZIM Test lineup going forward

[Kriterion_BD]

Now with it being official that BRMT and KJ are back, ZIM are at full strenght. At the very least, they are as strong as ever before. After seasons of county experience these guys will be loads better than they were before and still have 4-6 years of prime years left.

Lets now discuss - for the first time in reality - what the squad should look like.

I think its noteworthy to mention that the new ICC rules which kick in from tomorrow stipulate that Test teams can now field 6 substitutes instead of the previously mandated 4. This means a Test squad can be expanded to 17 players. Here's my squad for the upcoming WI series with starting XI:

1. Hamilton Masakadza
2. Brian Chari
3. Craig Ervine
4. Brendon Taylor
5. Sikandar Raza
6. Sean Williams
7. Regis Chakabva (+)
8. Graeme Cremer (*)
9. Carl Mumba/Tendai Chisoro
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Tendai Chatara

X. Tarisai Musakanda
X. Nathan Waller
X. Malcom Waller
X. PJ Moor
X. Shingi Masakadza

Chari's selection might raise some eyebrows, but I really think he has the ability to play the Mawoyo role. I think he has decent technique and his temperament is perfect for the see off the shine role perfectly. Yes, his record so far is poor, but he scored 80 against an attack featuring Herath, so I think he deserves to be given a long run to settle.

I wouldn't open with Raza unless absolutely necessary because his knock in SL proved that he is one of ZIM's better batsman, slips to 3rd now with BRMT back. Plus I would expect him to bowl a fair amount in SC conditions. 5 is an ideal spot for him.

Williams just edges out young Tari due to experience and also bowling ability. But he has got to start producing meaningful runs or else he sould make room for a guy with talent like Tari (who is unlucky to miss out on the XI as it is).

I can't believe people are not picking Mumba and picking Tiripano who wouldn't scare anyone even on a greentop. Yes DT bats superbly, but you need to do your best to form an attack capable of taking 20 wickets. And when you have guys available for the job, why would you pick the Donald?

Musakanda is the first name on the guys who don't make the XI. I think Nathan deserves a spot as a vital seam bowling all rounder. Malcolm is there for his experience and how many Zimmers can boast of a 40+ first class batting average? Moor is probably not ready but is a back-up WK and also can hit big down the order. Its Regis' job to lose, really, but I always had high hopes of Chakabva. Shingi is also a guy I really like. Lion hearted guy who just gives his all with both bat and ball. Too useful a player to be discarded as he has been. In fact, as a 3rd quick who bats, Shingi is a much better option than Tiripano. Not quite as good with the bat, but worlds better with the ball.

Chisoro gets picked because when touring the SC you will need a 2nd specialist spinner and at this stage neither Raza or Williams are quite consistent enough (though both have the potential) to fill the Shakib role of genuine spin all rounder.

[eugene]

If BT can keep, here is my lineup. Not happy with the openers, but I am really unsure who to put at the top.

1. Sikandar Raza
2. Brian Chari
3. Hamilton Masakadza
4. Craig Ervine
5. Brendan Taylor (w)
6. Sean Williams
7. Malcolm Waller
8. Graeme Cremer (c)
9. Shingirai Masakadza
10. Kyle Jarvis
11. Tendai Chatara

[Kriterion_BD]

I went with the theory that the team's best batsmen should bat at 3 and 4. Zimbabwe is prone to collapsing, so it might actually make more sense to bat the 2 best guys at 4 and 5, as eugene has done.

Of course that assumes everyone agrees that Ervine, Taylor, and Raza are the 3 best specialist batters in the ZIM Test side at the moment. I think Taylor and Ervine are equal firsts (Ervine catches up due to having a higher average and also scoring runs away from home).

[totoro]

Hamilton Masakadza
Tino Mawoyo / Tarisai Musakanda
Craig Ervine
Brendan Taylor
Sikandar Raza
Sean Williams
Peter Moor (wk)
Donald Tiripano / Wellington Masakadza
Graeme Cremer (c)
Kyle Jarvis
Tendai Chatara

12th man: Malcolm Waller

[grant]

Main XI:

Hamilton Masakadza
Tarisai Musakanda
Craig Ervine
Brendan Taylor (wk)
Sean Williams
Sikander Raza
Malcolm Waller
Graeme Cremer (capt.)
Carl Mumba
Kyle Jarvis
Tendai Chatara

Reserves:

PJ Moor
Regis Chakabva
Chamu Chibhabha
Shingi Masakadza
Natsai Mushangwe
Wellington Masakadza

[strikerlube]

I don't feel the need to pressure BT to keep unless he's keen to.
Does Burl stack up with these guys aswell?

[jaybro]

I really don't understand how Tary is ahead of Burl in everyone's Test side, he averages 23 and zero hundreds.

For me this is the generic side I would go for ( different horses for courses of course )

Hami
Burl
BRMT
Ervine
Williams
Raza
Regis wk
Jongwe
Cremer
KJ
Chatara

Mumba 12th man

Regis just ahead of Moor as a gloveman but if Moor works on his keeping he will go in

I realise Jongwe isn't in the picture but I think he can still turn into a good No.8 batsman / bowler

Opening with Burl & Hami is risky but we really have no standout openers, people are referring to Raza's three Half centuries whilst opening but I'll point out they were all against Bangladesh in Bangladesh. I think he will find facing Steyn & Rabada more challenging

[TapsC]

I think this whole 8-3 idea will be scrapped eventually as I doubt it will get the results they want besides draws.but since it's the idea for now I would go with

Raza
Hami
Ervine
Taylor
Williams
Musakanda (can become one of the very best)
Chakabva (wk)
Mire (I believe he can bowl a lot in tests too)
Cremer
Jarvis
Chatara

Reserves
PJ(wk)
Burl
Panyangara (I guess the numbers don't lie)
Wellington (although I prefer Chisoro)
Malcolm Waller
Vitori (when he completes his ban)

For me Mire is key for the 8-3 to even stand a chance of working as I believe with the right coach he can become a better bowler. He is a proper athlete and consistently hits 137kph when he is trying. Just needs to work on his control but I love his bouncers. ODI bowling and test bowling are very different because the batsmen are not as aggressive in tests and that can allow you to settle into a rhythm and become more destructive. Bowlers like Mpofu and Tiripano are better containers but not wicket takers and that's why they don't make my test squad.

The only way they go back to 7-4 for me is if Taylor takes the gloves but we all know he is lazy (don't know how him and fitness freak Makhaya are going to get along)

[pariah]

Poor Hami!

34 years old, after a 15+ year career and you're still being forced to open! Pushed around with neither seniority nor authority or option to express your preference, even if your stats are to do your bidding.

Forced to bat at 3 on debut ahead of likes of Grant, Wishart and Guy, now still forced to continue to face the new ball Tests under teh new order of pretty much the same "prejudice". No field restrictions, kinder bowling limitations etc, unlike ODIs and T20s.

Even those considered "allrounders" still don't even have your bowling stats in all formats, and have show no signs of ever being able to do so.

[jaybro]

Poor Hami!

34 years old, after a 15+ year career and you're still being forced to open! Pushed around with neither seniority nor authority or option to express your preference, even if your stats are to do your bidding.

Forced to bat at 3 on debut ahead of likes of Grant, Wishart and Guy, now still forced to continue to face the new ball Tests under teh new order of pretty much the same "prejudice". No field restrictions, kinder bowling limitations etc, unlike ODIs and T20s.

Even those considered "allrounders" still don't even have your bowling stats in all formats, and have show no signs of ever being able to do so.

"Poor Hami" is straight out lucky to be in the side!!!!

The guy hansnt passed 50 in a Test since 2014, I still have in my side due to his good technique against the new ball and his 'decent' test record.