Zimbabwe’s ‘Emerging’ Squad Mirage: Experienced Players Eclipse Future Stars, Stalling Cricket’s Progress

[jontym87]

I have written an article about Zimbabwe Cricket's 'Emerging' squad under the headline:

Zimbabwe ‘Emerging’, really? Just who are we deceiving?

Once its been published sometime today will post it here. Givemore Makoni and Hamilton Masakadza are biggest clowns.

[Donald]

Whats all this about then.

No article????

[Pat_Bee]

Kadza has hunted him down and put a stop to it. Bringing the game into disrepute and we can’t be having that.

[secretzimbo]

Haven’t you bigger fish to fry?

[secretzimbo]

Fuck off

[jontym87]

‘Zimbabwe Emerging’, really? Just who are we deceiving?


A ZIMBABWEAN cricket team, calling itself “Zimbabwe Emerging”, is currently on tour in South Africa, captained by somebody who has played firstclass cricket in the country for 14 years.

Roy Kaia, the 31-year-old skipper of the Zimbabwean outfit, is one of seven players in the touring party who have played Test cricket for their country – the world game’s premier format.

An eighth Test player, 28-year-old all-rounder Luke Jongwe, was also in the original 15-man squad but sadly lost his father on the eve of the tour.

Not to mention a combined multiple caps around the squad in international white-ball cricket.

How incredible is that! Is this because of desperation for results by those in the corridors of power, or there is genuine dearth of real emerging talent in the country? Certainly it is not the latter.

Our selection process must protect the integrity of our teams by picking the right players for each and every representative side. We should not
deceive ourselves by sending seasoned players to play bona fide upcoming players of other countries.

Where are all those gifted boys who have starred for Zimbabwe at the last three Under-19 World Cups? Some teams in the English County Championship Division Two have gladly benefitted from the investment of Zimbabwe, their national body the ECB even looking at the possibility of ancestral connections to cap the best of the ex-Zimbabwean youngsters.

But we cannot be counting our losses forever. Plenty of young talent still remains in Zimbabwe.

Scientifically, sending this largely experienced side on that kind of development tour has effects in the long run.

(1) It is Misrepresentation: It is misleading and undermines the concept of an emerging squad. The purpose of an emerging squad is to provide exposure and opportunities to young and relatively inexperienced players who are on the cusp of breaking into the international arena. By including established players, the squad loses its intended focus and dilutes the developmental opportunities for genuine emerging talents.

(2) Limited Developmental Opportunities: By sending experienced players, Zimbabwe is denying genuinely emerging players the chance to gain valuable match experience and hone their skills against their peers, from whom they will learn a lot because of the high level of cricket they are exposed to in South Africa, a world power. This lack of exposure can stunt the growth and progress of young talents who need these opportunities to develop their game, adapt to different situations, and build confidence.

(3) Stifling Long-term Growth: One of the primary objectives of fielding an emerging squad is to identify and nurture potential future stars who can contribute to the senior national team. By filling the squad with players who have already played international and firstclass cricket for several years, the focus shifts away from identifying and grooming new talents. This shortsighted approach undermines the long-term player development strategy that is essential for a Test nation's sustained success.

(4) Lost Chance for Talent Identification: Emerging player tours serve as an avenue for selectors and coaches to scout and assess fresh talents. If the squad is dominated by experienced players, there is a missed opportunity to unearth hidden gems and promising prospects who could be the backbone of Zimbabwe's cricket future.

(5) Ineffective Use of Resources: Fielding an emerging squad should ideally involve investing resources, time, and effort in nurturing young players who are in the early stages of their careers. Sending experienced players in an emerging squad misallocates resources and does not align with the intended purpose of fostering future talent.

(6) Mismatched Skill Levels: The inclusion of experienced players in an emerging squad can lead to a mismatch in skill levels during matches. Facing established international and first-class players might not challenge the emerging players as much as needed to promote growth and improvement.

(7) Impact on Team Cohesion: Including experienced players in an emerging squad might disrupt team dynamics and cohesion. The mixed skill levels and levels of experience could hinder effective teamwork and communication, which are essential for player development

Zimbabwe's decision to send an “emerging squad” primarily composed of experienced players contradicts the very essence of nurturing and developing emerging talents. It's a shortsighted approach that undermines the long-term goals of building a strong player base and future stars for the nation's cricket team. A more prudent strategy would involve focusing on genuinely emerging players and providing them with the opportunities and exposure they need to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation's cricketing legacy.

[jontym87]

Fuck off

What you going to do if i dont?

[jontym87]

Kadza has hunted him down and put a stop to it. Bringing the game into disrepute and we can’t be having that.

Hahahahaha not even. I have dropped the article. Its my two cents

[TapsC2]

‘Zimbabwe Emerging’, really? Just who are we deceiving?


A ZIMBABWEAN cricket team, calling itself “Zimbabwe Emerging”, is currently on tour in South Africa, captained by somebody who has played firstclass cricket in the country for 14 years.

Roy Kaia, the 31-year-old skipper of the Zimbabwean outfit, is one of seven players in the touring party who have played Test cricket for their country – the world game’s premier format.

An eighth Test player, 28-year-old all-rounder Luke Jongwe, was also in the original 15-man squad but sadly lost his father on the eve of the tour.

Not to mention a combined multiple caps around the squad in international white-ball cricket.

How incredible is that! Is this because of desperation for results by those in the corridors of power, or there is genuine dearth of real emerging talent in the country? Certainly it is not the latter.

Our selection process must protect the integrity of our teams by picking the right players for each and every representative side. We should not
deceive ourselves by sending seasoned players to play bona fide upcoming players of other countries.

Where are all those gifted boys who have starred for Zimbabwe at the last three Under-19 World Cups? Some teams in the English County Championship Division Two have gladly benefitted from the investment of Zimbabwe, their national body the ECB even looking at the possibility of ancestral connections to cap the best of the ex-Zimbabwean youngsters.

But we cannot be counting our losses forever. Plenty of young talent still remains in Zimbabwe.

Scientifically, sending this largely experienced side on that kind of development tour has effects in the long run.

(1) It is Misrepresentation: It is misleading and undermines the concept of an emerging squad. The purpose of an emerging squad is to provide exposure and opportunities to young and relatively inexperienced players who are on the cusp of breaking into the international arena. By including established players, the squad loses its intended focus and dilutes the developmental opportunities for genuine emerging talents.

(2) Limited Developmental Opportunities: By sending experienced players, Zimbabwe is denying genuinely emerging players the chance to gain valuable match experience and hone their skills against their peers, from whom they will learn a lot because of the high level of cricket they are exposed to in South Africa, a world power. This lack of exposure can stunt the growth and progress of young talents who need these opportunities to develop their game, adapt to different situations, and build confidence.

(3) Stifling Long-term Growth: One of the primary objectives of fielding an emerging squad is to identify and nurture potential future stars who can contribute to the senior national team. By filling the squad with players who have already played international and firstclass cricket for several years, the focus shifts away from identifying and grooming new talents. This shortsighted approach undermines the long-term player development strategy that is essential for a Test nation's sustained success.

(4) Lost Chance for Talent Identification: Emerging player tours serve as an avenue for selectors and coaches to scout and assess fresh talents. If the squad is dominated by experienced players, there is a missed opportunity to unearth hidden gems and promising prospects who could be the backbone of Zimbabwe's cricket future.

(5) Ineffective Use of Resources: Fielding an emerging squad should ideally involve investing resources, time, and effort in nurturing young players who are in the early stages of their careers. Sending experienced players in an emerging squad misallocates resources and does not align with the intended purpose of fostering future talent.

(6) Mismatched Skill Levels: The inclusion of experienced players in an emerging squad can lead to a mismatch in skill levels during matches. Facing established international and first-class players might not challenge the emerging players as much as needed to promote growth and improvement.

(7) Impact on Team Cohesion: Including experienced players in an emerging squad might disrupt team dynamics and cohesion. The mixed skill levels and levels of experience could hinder effective teamwork and communication, which are essential for player development

Zimbabwe's decision to send an “emerging squad” primarily composed of experienced players contradicts the very essence of nurturing and developing emerging talents. It's a shortsighted approach that undermines the long-term goals of building a strong player base and future stars for the nation's cricket team. A more prudent strategy would involve focusing on genuinely emerging players and providing them with the opportunities and exposure they need to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation's cricketing legacy.

I'm just curious to know what your ideal 15 man "emerging" squad would have looked like. Available players

[Pat_Bee]

There must be 15 murungus in the country whose ancestors didn’t gap it surely. Without the quota system we’d be world test champions and holders of the 50 over and 20 over world cups simultaneously and everyone knows it. #murunguball would have taken the world by storm.