Zimbabwe Emerging vs Namibia

[secretzimbo]

All of these guys were invited to play Logan Cup last year so hopefully they are again. Complicated by travel restrictions/Covid unfortunately (only Ben & Snater came pretty much) but one of the journos on a radio show was saying last year that '15 overseas players' had been invited to play for franchises. Hope it happens again this season and hopefully Zim won't be on the UK's red list by then (probably will be though). Even if these guys remain unavailable for the national team, it strengthens our domestic quality and it builds bridges for whenever in the future any of these guys find themselves out of contract, or wanting to achieve their dreams of playing a Test or a World Cup.

That's all we can do really. Keep in touch and good relations with these guys. Get them coming here in their winter. Build bridges and wait and see. There's no point ZC being bitter about them leaving.

[sloandog]

I think them being bitter and showing animosity towards these blokes has now finished, especially since some high profile back players are leaving for greener pastures. We've been incredibly lucky with Myers, for example.

I think what Mazakadza has realised is that the big 4 won't be around forever and there isn't the bench strength to replace them...yet.

We do need to try and coax a Welch or a Byrom back at some stage, simply because they're better than anything we currently have.

[sloandog]

I still sit and shake my head about Lake. What a talent

[secretzimbo]

The problem is though, when we look at someone like Byrom. I know he’s shown a lot of potential previously. But if he can’t buy a run in a professional setup with excellent facilities and coaching, and possibly not able to secure a contract at any county side;

How is he going to get his mojo back and be good enough in a poor setup with worse facilities and worse coaching?

Same for someone like Dustin Melton. Shown great promise previously but he’s now at the smallest/worst county and struggling to get a new contract there even. Will he be good enough back in Zim?

I don’t think the board can justify throwing large money at county-rejects upfront. So they will have to come and work their ass off in our domestic scene and win a place in the national team. So for example, Ireland, who are even more desperate for international-quality players than us, might throw money at someone like Byrom and it’s a much much easier option for him.

[sloandog]

Never even heard of Melton, what's he like?

And yea I agree regarding the money. If Gary Ballance ( ) said he'd come and play for the final years of his career but wanted his county salary matched, then fine. There's merit there and over 10k FC runs, as well as 4 test centuries. He's proven. Where as Byrom and the other young lads are still figuring out their game

[zimfan1]

As I've said before, I've got it on pretty good authority that Nick Welch has every intention, at some stage in the next 3 years, to make himself available for Zimbabwe. Coupled with (hopefully) Ryan Murray signing with a franchise next year and the emergence of the current crop of youngsters, I don't feel too aggrieved about Bawa in that there's still a lot of time for him to commit to Zim. The clock is ticking for Byrom however

I know Nick's dad. Zim is only an option if his gig in the UK fails. They don't trust the admin and feel the whole system is broken.

We may see Nick in Zim colours one day but it will only be because he could not crack it in the UK. He is injured at the moment and only has 1 year left on his contract, running out of time. He didn't get a chance in the FC or T20 stuff, got a go in the 50 over comp and did he knee and think he will be out for the season.

[secretzimbo]

Never even heard of Melton, what's he like?

And yea I agree regarding the money. If Gary Ballance ( ) said he'd come and play for the final years of his career but wanted his county salary matched, then fine. There's merit there and over 10k FC runs, as well as 4 test centuries. He's proven. Where as Byrom and the other young lads are still figuring out their game

Melton is a very quick pacer, with some serious gas. Had a good breakthrough year with Derbyshire in 2019 and the Covid-hit season last year but is now out of the team playing second XI.

He’s SA-qualified too though so maybe he will have better paid options there.

[zimfan1]

As I've said before, I've got it on pretty good authority that Nick Welch has every intention, at some stage in the next 3 years, to make himself available for Zimbabwe. Coupled with (hopefully) Ryan Murray signing with a franchise next year and the emergence of the current crop of youngsters, I don't feel too aggrieved about Bawa in that there's still a lot of time for him to commit to Zim. The clock is ticking for Byrom however

Byron is in trouble at Somerset. Not scored a run all season and think his contract is up next year.

He may throw his lot in with Ireland though with his shamrock passport.

[sloandog]

Was going to say is he a Zim lad or a South African born

[sloandog]

As I've said before, I've got it on pretty good authority that Nick Welch has every intention, at some stage in the next 3 years, to make himself available for Zimbabwe. Coupled with (hopefully) Ryan Murray signing with a franchise next year and the emergence of the current crop of youngsters, I don't feel too aggrieved about Bawa in that there's still a lot of time for him to commit to Zim. The clock is ticking for Byrom however

Byron is in trouble at Somerset. Not scored a run all season and think his contract is up next year.

He may throw his lot in with Ireland though with his shamrock passport.

Thats more likely, although Irish cricket has regressed significantly