Zimbabwe Emerging vs Namibia

[BostonZimbo]

Ives?! That's a blast from the past. Pretty sure he's moved to and living in the UK after he graduated in SA. Heard he's has a full time career outside cricket over there. Presumably he plays for a club somewhere but no idea. He was decent as a kid but hardly a world beater. Made the usual 'going away to study' mistake that Doggy will love to tell you all about.

Oldknow probably isn't good enough tbh. Unless he's suddenly magically developed somewhere over the past 12 months.



Odendaal is (probably) back in Australia. His season last year was a bit of an accident by all accounts. Has no plans to be a professional cricketer.


People are getting excited theres a couple of white boys in the squad and plucking other random white names out of thin air again!

I think this comes from the fact that ZCB has shown a willingness to pick white players in this squad and people are now getting excited hoping other "lost" white players might get their chance

Well, sure. But then ZC have always picked white players....What's new? And none of the three in this squad were 'lost' anyway.

Not directed at you, but theres a usual trend on here that every now and then people pop up and asks for ZC to pick a random 25-year old law graduate or shop assistant from some village in the UK because they once played for Zimbabwe U-16's 10 years ago and have a nice sounding name lol.

No worries I don't feel like anything is directed at me. Just from my position where I don't have much insight into the politics of zim cricket it looks like only really Burl, Taylor, Williams, Ervine and Jarvis before he retired got selected. It just looks like a lot of them go away to England, South Africa or Australia and never return. I also know that there's so much other to play in that like maybe they didn't want to play for Zim or they money wasn't there.

And yes I see people asking for random white guys all the time who haven't played cricket in years

[Yvmnaidu]

Play for country pride not for money.. zim cricket is not developed since 2003 rebel era.. always loss..winners only identify by the world

[ZIMDOGGY]

Play for country pride not for money.. zim cricket is not developed since 2003 rebel era.. always loss..winners only identify by the world

More retardation^

Anyway,
Back to the discussion,
There was definitely a period there that had both a quota (thanks to Ozias) and then an unofficial quota of no more than 6 pre Streak. But I think those days are behind us.
At least for now.
The fact is ZC doesn’t need to implement quotas. The hierarchy, from all levels is blacker than the Harlem Globetrotters atm.

Now this is where it gets interesting.
The white cricketing community know this. They understand this. What they don’t trust is the management, that if they flood back en masse, if all of a sudden you see 9 out of your best 11 and a few reserves white, then there’s a problem for ZC.
They feel the quotas will return at that point probably underhandedly.

That’s of course the distrust that they will get regular cricket and paid their amount on time.
I’m a member of a ‘white’ Zimbabwean Facebook group. Just mentioning to some of the guys related to the diaspora about returning is seen as trolling.
That’s how bad the trust is.

The ones who return have a reason to stay. Don’t have many alternatives or don’t roll with the community at large or have an undying passion for Zim as a nation, which remarkably a lot still fo.
Ps.
Nvmnaidu, this is ^ how you contribute to a forum, not the ‘ZC…must get winning with….Garychipungu…brianmaz…” crap you spew.

[secretzimbo]

I think some progress has been made with 'trust', but obviously it was so darn broken in the first place it's going to take a very very very very long time - if ever - for that to ever be rebuilt with certain people. I really think ZC is in a better place now that it has been for quite a while and its pretty stable right now. They seem to be trying to work with certain people, groups and schools that they previously didn't. 'White Zim facebook groups' - might not be too representative, considering the ones I've seen/aware of.

But yeah, it's going to take a long time to really rebuild that trust and again it's not just a cricket issue really. It's prevalent in the country as a whole and certain sections of the white community and diaspora are probably too far gone at this point.


I mean really, ultimately, the bigger issue is money when it comes to cricket in Zim. Even more so than 'trust'. Fact remains that a large proportion of white zimbos have very easy access to opportunities overseas, be it through UK ancestry visas or through family friends and the large diaspora network. And of course the very good education and (relative) wealth that a fair chunk have. Again this isn't just cricket. People leave for various reasons and jobs where realistically they can earn more and have a better quality of life elsewhere.

Truth is you can earn more working part time in a restaurant and having a nice life playing amateur cricket in the UK than you can playing professional cricket in Zimbabwe. The national team players here get paid well and theres obviously a few really big contracts for the top guys. But for the franchise players they only get paid for a few months a year and they get peanuts really. It's really easy for the likes of 'Yvmnaidu' to sit there and post 'do it for love of country, not for money' - but this is a country where even a fucking reliable internet connection costs more per month than you'd earn playing professional cricket. Not to mention the government can't even supply power, let alone clean water, to your house, and then add it to the multitude of other problems and general state of the place. And then you've got a UK ancestry visa sitting there on your desk and most of your mates are there. What would 99 out of 100 young guys do?

If we had a domestic set-up that could offer a good pay packet and financial security to lets say 50 players year on year then obviously you'd get a hell of a lot more of the white kids staying and giving it a shot. But as a 19-year-old, are you really going to slog it out for a couple of dollars per match, for years, playing only a handful of matches per year? Oh, and then you've got zero income from March-November each year too.

Best we can hope for is that the professional overseas players come back every year for the Logan Cup and strengthen the domestic matches, and hope the remaining committed Zim-based players benefit from it. When the big 4 retire there will be openings in the team and some big contracts might be available for a couple of established overseas players who fancy a crack at playing a Test or a world cup before their career is over.

Oh and fwiw, we seem to be producing more and more talented black kids than ever before, so it's less of a problem than it used to be. Myers, Wes etc are as talented as or more talented than any white kids in their age group anyway. But I guess the sub-continent posters will still be here 5 or 6 years from now saying they wish Luke Oldknow - who has otherwise disappeared - should be in the Test team

[secretzimbo]

Play for country pride not for money.. zim cricket is not developed since 2003 rebel era.. always loss..winners only identify by the world

^ What an absolute moffie this guy is

[ZIMDOGGY]

Play for country pride not for money.. zim cricket is not developed since 2003 rebel era.. always loss..winners only identify by the world

^ What an absolute moffie this guy is

Yeah he’s embarrassing.
One of these kids the parents dropped on their head in infancy, or sucked on some lead based paint chips in his Rawalpindi apartment.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I think some progress has been made with 'trust', but obviously it was so darn broken in the first place it's going to take a very very very very long time - if ever - for that to ever be rebuilt with certain people. I really think ZC is in a better place now that it has been for quite a while and its pretty stable right now. They seem to be trying to work with certain people, groups and schools that they previously didn't. 'White Zim facebook groups' - might not be too representative, considering the ones I've seen/aware of.

But yeah, it's going to take a long time to really rebuild that trust and again it's not just a cricket issue really. It's prevalent in the country as a whole and certain sections of the white community and diaspora are probably too far gone at this point.


I mean really, ultimately, the bigger issue is money when it comes to cricket in Zim. Even more so than 'trust'. Fact remains that a large proportion of white zimbos have very easy access to opportunities overseas, be it through UK ancestry visas or through family friends and the large diaspora network. And of course the very good education and (relative) wealth that a fair chunk have. Again this isn't just cricket. People leave for various reasons and jobs where realistically they can earn more and have a better quality of life elsewhere.

Truth is you can earn more working part time in a restaurant and having a nice life playing amateur cricket in the UK than you can playing professional cricket in Zimbabwe. The national team players here get paid well and theres obviously a few really big contracts for the top guys. But for the franchise players they only get paid for a few months a year and they get peanuts really. It's really easy for the likes of 'Yvmnaidu' to sit there and post 'do it for love of country, not for money' - but this is a country where even a fucking reliable internet connection costs more per month than you'd earn playing professional cricket. Not to mention the government can't even supply power, let alone clean water, to your house, and then add it to the multitude of other problems and general state of the place. And then you've got a UK ancestry visa sitting there on your desk and most of your mates are there. What would 99 out of 100 young guys do?

If we had a domestic set-up that could offer a good pay packet and financial security to lets say 50 players year on year then obviously you'd get a hell of a lot more of the white kids staying and giving it a shot. But as a 19-year-old, are you really going to slog it out for a couple of dollars per match, for years, playing only a handful of matches per year? Oh, and then you've got zero income from March-November each year too.

Best we can hope for is that the professional overseas players come back every year for the Logan Cup and strengthen the domestic matches, and hope the remaining committed Zim-based players benefit from it. When the big 4 retire there will be openings in the team and some big contracts might be available for a couple of established overseas players who fancy a crack at playing a Test or a world cup before their career is over.

Oh and fwiw, we seem to be producing more and more talented black kids than ever before, so it's less of a problem than it used to be. Myers, Wes etc are as talented as or more talented than any white kids in their age group anyway. But I guess the sub-continent posters will still be here 5 or 6 years from now saying they wish Luke Oldknow - who has otherwise disappeared - should be in the Test team

Good post.
I will say that ‘trust’ is an all encompassing word here that also represents the moolah on offer.

You need to put yourself in the shoes of that Melton (forget the first name) who is doing well in county as a fast bowler.
Comfort and security of county cricket vs turbulence of Africa.
Now the thing is, ZC CAN overcome it. They have proven they have the ability to stump up the required cash when needed. Yes, 4 (financially) poor half decent Logan cup performers will suffer for it, but it’ll strengthen the national team.
But beyond that three year (or so) hypothetical agreement, why happens to Melton at age 28? After his county careers skittled, ZC has him by the balls. Will he continue to earn a good crust? Who knows. This is the test.

I’ve said previously I’m all for the fab 5 (inc. Blessing here) to get big cash at the expense of others, since your average Logan cup player will never play first class elsewhere, but the right guys must be looked after if we are too keep our head above water.

Side note;
I find it interesting that as soon as Googly left you arrived.

[secretzimbo]

Good post.
I will say that ‘trust’ is an all encompassing word here that also represents the moolah on offer.

You need to put yourself in the shoes of that Melton (forget the first name) who is doing well in county as a fast bowler.
Comfort and security of county cricket vs turbulence of Africa.
Now the thing is, ZC CAN overcome it. They have proven they have the ability to stump up the required cash when needed. Yes, 4 (financially) poor half decent Logan cup performers will suffer for it, but it’ll strengthen the national team.
But beyond that three year (or so) hypothetical agreement, why happens to Melton at age 28? After his county careers skittled, ZC has him by the balls. Will he continue to earn a good crust? Who knows. This is the test.

I’ve said previously I’m all for the fab 5 (inc. Blessing here) to get big cash at the expense of others, since your average Logan cup player will never play first class elsewhere, but the right guys must be looked after if we are too keep our head above water.

Side note;
I find it interesting that as soon as Googly left you arrived.

Haha, well, I like to stay anonymous (always a good idea in Zimbabwe in general) so not too keen to post when I'm pretty sure I know Googly in real life lol.

Forgot about Melton! He's another one along with Byrom & Ben Curran who's out of contract at the end of this season. I reckon Ben Curran has shown enough potential in limited overs to get an extension at Northants. Byron's had a bad year but a small county might take a punt on him. Melton hasn't been doing so well recently either. Interesting to see what he does.


I suppose theres two separate discussions/issues here; one around the established county pro's coming back in on contracts etc, and the second is the issue about young kids, U19's leaving Zim/leaving the game altogether.

[sloandog]

The big BIG question on my lips (excluding skin colour ffs) is if Nick Welch is ever going to CONSIDER zc. What a talent

[secretzimbo]

The big BIG question on my lips (excluding skin colour ffs) is if Nick Welch is ever going to CONSIDER zc. What a talent

Is he injured or something? It's weird he hasn't been in the Leicester XI in the List A tourney (Basically a 2nd XI comp with everyone playing the Hundred). Schadendorf & Muyeye have played every match for Notts & Kent.