[Match Thread] Zimbabwe v Netherlands - 3rd One Day Match

[brmtaylor.com admin]

From what I've seen of Musakanda, he has the tools to make it in all formats.

I reckon Moor's best chance is an attacking lower middle order Test batsman (it'd be perfect if he could improve his wicket keeping skills). He seems to have struggled in ODI's even though he's a powerful hitter but I reckon he'll find it hard to keep his spot with Taylor returning and presumably donning the gloves.

Burl is the real unknown. He could end up becoming good (he's already averaging around 45 in FC) or he might end up being squeezed out of the squad altogether.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Yeah, Musakanda looks like a man who has no major technical flaws and appears intelligent with his shot selection most of the time. Sometimes he does throw it away in exuberance, but he could mellow down with age and by tightening his approach (or could he perennially not correct that and end up like Vusi, but that feels unlikely at this point). We are definitely betting heavily on him to come good, else we have a lot of 30+ batsmen with no youngster breaking in at all. Scary scenario 3-4 years from now.

[pariah]

You cannot beat experience. E.g. Bavuma got a 100 on debut, and has scored some of the toughest and best runs for the Proteas since his debut, yet his stats don't look world class. Proper experience ensures you don't look out of your depth.

Which is why Kasuza is bound to be better on average than Burl and Moor. He's still juts 24 remember? Moor almost 3 years older, and Burl just a few months younger. kasuza had done more to have made his debut a long time ago, than Moor and Burl did.

I again argue that this NED side is significantly weaker than the SA Emerging side that toured ZImbabwe earlier.

I'll leave the worry about Burl, Moor and Musakanda for another day. I think the real worry right now is why are Raza and Malcolm batting at 6&7 against this side, and what was the logic in batting Chakabva lower than 3 in this format? In shielding our favourites I think guys are shying away from genuine concerns and debates. This is unacceptable. SA would never bat Elgar/Bavuma lower than 3 in an ODI. That's common sense. It's like India picking Pujara in LOIs and making him bat at number 7.

Raza should have opened with Chakabva, Burl at 3 and Malcolm at 4. Moor, Musakanda to follow at 5 & 6.

I'm happy to have allowed Chibhabha and Mire to have batted low and played as genuine allrounders.

[TapsC]

Shocking from the future prospects. Burl and Tari are young and it's understandable but for me PJ really is running out of chances. His List A record is horrific with a low average and terrible strike rate. It's really a sink or swim moment for him with Taylor back because he now has to make it as a batsman.

He will probably have to open as well and the unfortunate thing is that when you are on the fringes you can't be accommodated to what suits you best when there are other senior players established in the team. Same goes for Burl. You have to fight for a spot and work your way to your preferred position from there in national team colours. You can't expect Ervine to move from number 3 in ODIs for Burl. That's not how it works but in a situation like this where the senior players are not there you should be beggig to bat in the top 3/4.

Tari has shown us he has what it takes. Mire too. PJ and Burl have to do more. As for Regis he isn't an ODI player. We all know that. Even Richmond is a better prospect in ODIs. That was a senseless decision. Gives more credit to the theory that Streak has his favourites. Batting him at 8 when he can't get the scoreboard ticking is even more bizarre. It's like playing mawoyo at 8.

[pariah]

PJ really is running out of chances. His List A record is horrific with a low average and terrible strike rate.

I repeatedly told you guys that if they didn't drop Malcolm and Raza when they went through that horrible form, plus Williams' non-existence whenever it counted, but still playing until the last game of the series - of these horrible spells coinciding with Zimbabwe's embarassing defeats - then no one would be dropped. Do you believe me now? Everyone can see Moor should have been dumped a long time ago.

...the unfortunate thing is that when you are on the fringes you can't be accommodated to what suits you best when there are other senior players established in the team. Same goes for Burl. You have to fight for a spot and work your way to your preferred position from there in national team colours. Tari has shown us he has what it takes. Mire too. PJ and Burl have to do more.

How many career years did Vusi play yet he was denied a preferred position even after performing well in a Series, not even an experimentation of a few consecutive mathces. Never! These guys got the lovely spots despite not having earned them nor deserving them, and still did nothing with them.

As for Regis he isn't an ODI player. We all know that. Even Richmond is a better prospect in ODIs. That was a senseless decision. Gives more credit to the theory that Streak has his favourites. Batting him at 8 when he can't get the scoreboard ticking is even more bizarre. It's like playing mawoyo at 8.

Which is why I asked a pertinent question. Why is it Ntini who has to leave? Such stupid thinking surrounds the team. Streak is responsible for this non-spinner madness, and both him and Klusener are no doubt responsible for the equally stupid batting orders they put out.

Guys here will be quick to say - "Ntini hasn't improved some seamers". Put Starc in this attack and I tell you even he will be exposed so much by his fellow bowlers that his invincibility will be reduced because pretty much everyone gets in. There is no way Mpofu, Chinouya and Tiripano are as good as Panyangara and Shingi! One full 10 over quota from Chisoro, will do more damage than Williams, Raza and Malcolm's efforts combined. Same applies to Wellington. You can't tell me Ntini doesn't know that.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Vusi was always an adequate batsman. But that was all - he averaged in the 20s for a reason.

It wouldn't matter which position he batted, he never had the ability to influence a match like Taylor or Ervine can. Or even like Chigumbura occasionally can.

[Conant]

Musakanda, PJ Moor and Burl throwing away their chances. Musakanda, 11 from 12, appears to have been seeing the ball at least.

Those stubbornly defending Moor and Burl will see better after this. Plenty of time to get stuck in and build an innings especially as the team had lost three early wickets, on a pitch that's not alien to them, and still failed. Burl is no ODI player and should keep playing all A team four day matches to build on that first class potential.

We have all known for a while Chakabva is not an ODI player. But this practise is crucial for him, as long as he remains our designated Test keeper.

He was under served in Sri Lanka where he stayed home to hit balls in the nets while other has actually game time.

If he fails in the four day matches against Pak A then we are truly stuck. However I am sticking my neck out for a 50 in his first two innings.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

If Chakabva fails in the four day matches against Pak A then we are truly stuck. However I am sticking my neck out for a 50 in his first two innings.

Agreed. I think if Chakabva fails in the warm up games we'll see Moor keeping again in the Tests.

[Conant]

If Chakabva fails in the four day matches against Pak A then we are truly stuck. However I am sticking my neck out for a 50 in his first two innings.

Agreed. I think if Chakabva fails in the warm up games we'll see Moor keeping again in the Tests.

No chance.

How so, when he's also failing in the same matches Chakabva is playing in? Plus, he's a horrible wicket keeper.

They will rather will rather force Taylor to keep before they revert to Moor, trust me.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

As a batsman Moor has been solid in the Tests he's played. As it stands now with Taylor returning they can't squeeze all of Chakabva, Musakanda, Moor and Waller into the lineup. So I can see a situation unfolding whereby if Chakabva performs poorly against Pak A, they'll see it as a chance to keep Moor in the Test team.

I agree his glovework is not Test standard though. If I was in his position I'd be working very hard on the keeping side of things, because there's a definite opening there. I rate Chakabva, but he hasn't cemented his spot in the team and I think Moor's aggressive attitude with the bat is probably more desirable to team management.