test cricket

[r@ndom]

so when will zimbabwe finally return to test cricket?
i think a few more series against teams like kenya ireland and bangladesh and then they will be ready
if they were to announce a series tomorrow what would be your XI

[brmtaylor.com admin]

If we were to play a Test tomorrow, using likely players (ie. no Coventry's, etc), I'd go with:

1. T. Duffin
2. B. Taylor
3. S. Williams
4. T. Taibu
5. H. Masakadza
6. E. Chigumbura
7. G. Cremer
8. P. Utseya
9. R. Price
10. G. Brent
11. T. Mupariwa

I'd be tempted to play Utseya as a batsman up the order, but a lot of time has passed since he scored that century so he can bat at 8. I like Cremer in the side, he and Chigumbura are genuine allrounders. Our batting depth is not bad.

I was tossing up between Brent and Mpofu for that third seamer, but I think you have to go with Brent first. It means we have very little pace, with only really Chigumbura to rely on, but Brent could potentially be very economical.

I think Duffin deserves a chance at Test level, despite his atrocious domestic form. He could perform on the big stage. If he doesn't, Sibanda comes straight into the side. Likewise, if Graeme Cremer doesn't perform well (I'd give him 4 or 5 Tests in a row to prove himself though) you could bring in the extra batsman (Chibhabha) and play Chigumbura, Utseya, Price, Brent and Mupariwa as the bowlers.

Timycen Maruma and Blessing Mahwire are the backup bowlers, while Vusi Sibanda, Chamu Chibhabha, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva are the backup batsmen (probably in that order).

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone!

[Chubb]

I don't think Cremer can be classed as an allrounder yet. I know he made big runs in the Logan Cup last year but that was a farcical tournament by most standards. he has a role in the squad as a potential third, attacking spinner- for example if Ray Price was injured he could come in for him and attack at one end whilst Prosper Utseya keeps things tight at the other.

I'd select this team for a test tomorrow;

T. Duffin
B. Taylor
C. Chibhabha
S. Williams
H. Masakadza
T. Taibu +
E. Chigumbura
P. Utseya
R. Price
G. Brent
B. Mahwire

Duffin is the best pure opener in Zimbabwe, with a decent technique against pace and the ability to bat for long periods. Taylor complements him as an aggressive opener. Then I think Chibhabha has shown good concentration and technique in the ODIs he has played and would make a good 3. Sean Williams probably has the best technique of any of the batsmen and could be something pretty special. Hamilton and Tatenda make an experienced and useful middle order. Elton picks himself as an allrounder and then we have the two best spinners and the two best and most experienced pacemen. Mahwire was impressive in his tests in 2004-05 and there's no reason he can't replicate that form. I fear Brent may lack that extra bit of pace you need in test cricket, so one of the other pacemen could come in for him, probably Mpofu or Rainsford- Rainsford is a tryer and a bit faster than Brent. If Anthony Ireland was available I'd pick him.

[zulu]

mine would be:
1 Sibanda
2 Taylor
3 Taibu
4 Williams
5 Masakadza
6 Matsikenyeri
7 Chigumbura
8 Utseya
9 Brent
10 Price
11 Mpofu

I think you have to play mpofu else our seam attack would more weak than it already is, chigumbura and Mpofu would be an ideal opening bowling combination with brent first change.

[andy24]

my team is
1 T duffin
2 H Masakadza
3 B Taylor
4 S Williams
5 T Taibu
6 C Chibibahba
7 E Chigumbura
8 P Usteya
9 R Price
10 G Brent
11 C mpofu
12 Dabengwa

if Duffin doesnt perform in the first couple of test Sinbanda goes straight in. I rekon the batsman from 3 to 5 will win us the game. I put Mpofu in only because of his pass, mahwire and muparwia and rainsford would be the only back up pass bowlers. Creamer would be my first back up spiner. finaly i thought Dabengwa has to get in the side somewhere

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I don't think Cremer can be classed as an allrounder yet. I know he made big runs in the Logan Cup last year but that was a farcical tournament by most standards. he has a role in the squad as a potential third, attacking spinner- for example if Ray Price was injured he could come in for him and attack at one end whilst Prosper Utseya keeps things tight at the other.

Zimbabwe are often choosing to play that third spinner, either Cremer or Maruma. He would definitely be picked for his bowling (unlike Chigumbura, he couldn't be picked as a specialist batsman), but I do think he could be classed an allrounder. I am sure that by the end of his career he could average up around 30 in Test cricket - much like Shaun Pollock.

[zulu]

i think if we are goin to be any force in test cricket we will need players like ervine and streak back now i know the chances are very small of them coming back but if Magaube looses the elections and the MDC takes over there might jus be a chance of some players returning to zim u never know?

[Train Driver]

I think that the news regarding the cancellation of the Indian tour has just about put Test cricket onto the very, very back of the back burner.

Unless Bangladesh have some free time then I really can't see anyone stepping in to play Zim at Test level.

I hope that this news does not drive away any of the present senior squad.

[Detective RDS]

I dont think,Zimbabwe will return in the test format soon as there is shortage of class players and ICC so as the other cricket boards also not supporting Zimbabwe in returning in the tests.Moreover,politics of Zimbabwe has grapsed away many young talented cricketers of Zimbabwe.So,if the players r back and Zimbabwe can win some ODIs against strong sides,they will be back in the test arena.Currently,Zimbabwe is 11th in the ODI team rankings and suspended from playing test cricket.

Lets have a look at the 11 who played in the last test of Zimbabwe against India in 2005.

Brendan Taylor,Terrence Duffin,Dion Ebrahim,Tatenda Taibu(WK),Hamilton Masakadza,
Heath Streak,Charles Coventry,Andy Blignaut,Keith Dabengwa,Blessing Mahwire,
Waddington Mwayenga.

So,from this list 7 players arent currently available.Only Taibu,Masakadza,Dabengwa and Mahwire is available.

Having players like Streak,Blignaut,Taylor,Duffin,Coventry in the last test Zimbabwe lost by 10 wickets,infact they could have had innings defeat thanks to Blignauts agressive 84*.Zimbabwe lost the 1st test by an innings and 90 runs.So,it will be hard to get into the test cricket after lossing so many promising players.

Anyway,if Zimbabwe is to play a test tomorrow my 11 will be

Vusimuzi Sibanda,Hamilton Masakadza(V-Capt),Sean Williams,Tatenda Taibu(WK),
Stuart Matsikenyeri,Justice Chibhabha,Elton Chigumbura,Graeme Cremer,
Blessing Mahwire,Raymond Price(Capt),Tawanda Mupariwa.

Here is their full test cricket statistics:

1.Vusimuzi Sibanda (Match 3,Runs 48,Ave 8,Best 18)
2.Hamilton Masakadza(Match 15,Runs 785,Ave 27.06,Best 119,3X50,1X100,Wkts 2,Ave 19.50)
3.Sean Williams (DEBUTE)
4.Tatenda Taibu (Match 24,Runs 1273,Ave 29.60,Best 153,9X50,1X100,Wkt 1,Ave 27)
5.Stuart Matsikenyeri (Match 8,Runs 351,Ave 23.40,Best 57,2X50,Wkts 2,Ave 172.50)
6.Justice Chibhabha (DEBUTE)
7.Elton Chigumbura (Match 6,Runs 187,Ave 22.50,Best 71,1X50,Wkts 9,Ave 55.33,Best 5/54)
8.Graeme Cremer (Match 6,Runs 29,Ave 2.63,Best 12,Wkts 13,Ave 45.76,Best 3/86)
9.Blessing Mahwire (Match 10,Runs 147,Ave 13.36,Best 50*,Wkts 18,Ave 50.83,Best 4/92)
10.Raymond Price (Match 18,Runs 224,Ave 9.73,Best 36,Wkts 69,Ave 35.86,Best 6/73)
11.Tawanda Mupariwa (Match 1,Runs 15,Ave 15,Best 14,Wkt 0,Ave -,Best -)
-------------------------------------------
12.Keith Dabengwa (Match 3,Runs 90,Ave 15,Best 35,Wkts 5,Ave 49.80,Best 3/127)
13.Edward Rainsford (DEBUTE)
14.Christopher Mpofu (Match 6,Runs 17,Ave 2.83,Best 7,Wkts 8,Ave 69.50,Best 4/109)
15.Prosper Utseya (Match 1,Runs 45,Ave 22.50,Best 45,Wkt 0,Ave -,Best -)

Zimbabwe now has 12 players who have appeared in the test level.I have a confusion about picking Chibhabha or Dabengwa.If I pick Dabengwa,the batting looks a bit weak.So,I went with Chibhabha as cricket is mostly batsmens game.

Taibu,Masakadza and Williams is the main batsmen of the team.If Zimbabwe has to make a good total,these 3 batsmen should play a big innings.As there is no option left Sibanda must be opening with Masakadza.Chibhabha is in the 6th spot and should bat well to remain in the team.Matsikenyeri and Chigumbura will play the role of an all rounder.

In the bowlling prospective,Mupariwa and Chigumbura will open the bowlling.Mupariwa is the fastest Zimbabwean to take 50 wickets in ODIs.Chigumbura is the fastest Zimbabwean pacer and can get some benefit from his height.Mahwire is the first change.Then,comes the spin attack which is lead by experienced Price.He will be supported by Cremer,Matsikenyeri and Williams.I havent picked Utseya as he isnt consistent in picking up wickets.Cremer has already 13 wickets in 6 tests and I can see variation in his leg spin.He can be converted into an all-rounder too.

Keith Dabengwa will be straight into the 11 if any batsman cant perform.Edward Rainsford and Christopher Mpofu will be the pace backups.Rainsford is my first choice of backup as his ODI performance is consistent and domestic record is better than Mpofu.