Where does Graeme Cremer rank among Zimbabwe Test batsmen?

[Zero76]

Realistically 8 is probably the right place for Cremer. Hopefully Regis is back in form with the bat and can bat 7, Waller can carry drinks.

[CrimsonAvenger]

for the sake of the team and the balance, a 2nd specialist spinner is a must

+1. Agree we need someone to push Cremer regularly on spinning pitches

It doesn't matter who - Wellington, Mavuta, Chikomba etc, ZIM need that spinner.

But we can't get that desperate.

And a 2nd spinner who can't take wickets doesn't help us. Wellington would be good if he can improve. He has been in poor form. Cremer just got a ten fer then 8 in the first test. Wellington has hardly any wickets this season.

+1.

Greg Lamb would be useful right now probably but he is long gone. If Price was around then your argument would be worth something. We'd all have him and Cremer together in the lineup. Random junior spinners will not improve upon what Williams and Raza can manage. To pick a genuine 2nd spinner (who can't bat) doesn't work right now. Someone needs to be cutting through Logan Cup batting lineups consistently to give our test team a boost by their inclusion.

and +1.

We can only go for two sipnners if it is someone like Price, Paul Strang or the Greek God Traicos.

[Kriterion_BD]

Ranks ahead of Vusi and Elton for me in terms of runs scored and the context in which they were scored. Neither of those guys has a Test hundred despite batting up the order.

[pariah]

It doesn't matter who - Wellington, Mavuta, Chikomba etc, ZIM need that spinner.

But we can't get that desperate.

It reads/sounds bad but obviously that's not what I meant.

We can only go for two sipnners if it is someone like Price, Paul Strang or the Greek God Traicos.

You'll need to explain that one for me. I get Price but I don't get Traicos and Paul Strang? Why do you need more than one of them?

Cremer at 7 may be where Zim batting standards are right now - and he can bat in the top 6 in the Logan Cup but him at 7 won't take our batting forward. None of the keepers deserve to be higher than 7 at the moment. If Cremer can average 22 at 8 we will be going forward.

What I still don't get is how can people be comfortable with Williams at 6/7 but not comfortable with Cremer at 7. It makes no sense. Again it's a case of avoiding the contradiction of the failures of "favourites". I'll make it simple. Malcolm Waller batted at number 7. Is Tiripano a better Test batsman than Malcolm Waller?

Random junior spinners will not improve upon what Williams and Raza can manage.

The problem here is you overrate these bowlers' spinning abilities. Chsoro and Cremer struggled in parts, but the manner in which Dowrich and Holder played Raza at times was really like pros toying with a rank amateur. They made him look like a part-timer just thrown into the attack out of desperation at times. Raza was very poor in SL. So was Williams. Let's not forget the extra spin deliberately prepared by Zimbabwe on that pitch. Forget Bishoo, to put you into perspective, I actually thought Chase bowled better than all of Zimbabwe's spinners over the two Tests and is overall better than them.

[CrimsonAvenger]

You'll need to explain that one for me. I get Price but I don't get Traicos and Paul Strang? Why do you need more than one of them?

Of course I meant one of them. I said Price, Strang OR Traicos. We can only plan to have two spinners in the XI if the quality is of that level.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I'm comfortable with Cremer at 7. He averages 33.00 at #7 (from 1 innings), 30.09 at #8 (from 13 innings), 11 at #9, 4 at #10.

At a pinch I think he's good enough to bat at 6, depending on the match situation. If you need a swashbuckling half century he's not your guy. But say there's an hour to stumps on a tricky pitch, I reckon you could do worse than to promote Cremer up the order to see out the day.

[Jemisi]

He is averaging 30 + at 7 & 8 eh? Certainly good enough to be in Hong Kong's top 6 or one of the other associates.

[TapsC]

I'm comfortable with Cremer at 7. He averages 33.00 at #7 (from 1 innings), 30.09 at #8 (from 13 innings), 11 at #9, 4 at #10.

At a pinch I think he's good enough to bat at 6, depending on the match situation. If you need a swashbuckling half century he's not your guy. But say there's an hour to stumps on a tricky pitch, I reckon you could do worse than to promote Cremer up the order to see out the day.

Him and Donald are the perfect night watchmen.

What number does Cremer bat for the Rhinos? I think he needs to be like Tiripano who has an important role for the Rhinos. I think Tiripano has even opened at club level

[brmtaylor.com admin]

At #7 in the last FC game he played for the Rhinos.

[Tom91]

The Zimbabwean flintoff it seems. Pariah chill out mind he's not that good . But he's the best spinner we have so get over it mate, and back the lad . If you can't back a white spinner then I suggest u walk away