10 Wait in the Cricket Wings

[zimfan1]

10 Wait in the Cricket Wings
Thursday, 02 April 2009 17:41

THE Zimbabwe A cricket team has recorded a 100% success rate against six Associate member nations in recent months, an encouraging sign for the country’s second-string cricketers.

IndependentSport picks 10 upcoming players (five batsman and five bowlers) he rates as the brightest prospects in the country.

Tino Mawoyo (23)

Currently injured, Mawoyo is a future kingpin of the team. A sound stroke-maker, the right-handed opening batsman and wicketkeeper has presence at the wicket and is not afraid to take the attack to both pace and spin.

He has two ODI caps won in Bangladesh in 2006. A long-term injury has stood in his development path. A rare cricket talent from Mutare, the former Zimbabwe Under 19 captain was educated in the city at Hillcrest College, where he was headboy.

His versatile sporting talents are remarkable, and former schoolmates speak glowingly of how he could have easily walked into the Warriors or Sables sides.

Forster Mutizwa (23)

Mutizwa made his ODI debut in Kenya after three years of first-class cricket. His average from 12 first-class matches is 32,17.

The Takashinga player came to prominence in the series with some swashbuckling display, and also took over the gloves from Tatenda Taibu.

He is however still to be tested against stronger international bowling attacks, so needs time to prove his mettle.

Malcolm Waller (24)


Malcolm is the son of former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Waller. The middle-order batsman, together with Forster Mutizwa were the two rookie tourists to Bangladesh and Kenya.

Malcom made his debut in Bangladesh but came to the fore in Kenya, where like Mutizwa he enjoyed success against a submissive Kenyan attack.

“Bundu” (After his father’s nickname) didn’t have the privilege of a strong first-class foundation, being selected almost purely on club form for Harare Sports Club.

But his talents were too good to ignore. He needs runs against stronger opposition to settle in the side.

Cephas Zhuwawo (24)


Zhuwawo continues to defy his humble beginnings in the high-density suburb of Glen View — where he was educated — to become one of the most exciting talents in Zimbabwe. A top-order batsman and decent leg-break bowler, he hits cleanly and far.

In domestic cricket, he makes runs for fun, hitting bowlers over the top quite too often. He however doesn’t transform his 40s and 50s into bigger innings.

He has one ODI under his belt, against Ireland in Kenya in 2008.

Regis Chakabva (21)


Another Churchill and Takashinga product, Chakabva has been a regular feature for the Zimbabwe A side for two years.

He scored 41 runs on his ODI debut against Kenya last year. He is a steady opening batsman with a delicate technique.

He is a short but agile wicketkeeper who is tipped to become a leading player in the national side in future.

Trevor Garwe (22)

Garwe cannot be regarded as a rookie, having played first-class cricket for Mashonaland when the old guard was still around. National selection has continued to elude him.

In a normal situation, Garwe would be considered to have the correct foundation as he was not rushed, but when many of his contemporaries prematurely find themselves into the national side, he is bound to get frustrated. “VB” is a medium-fast bowler who relies on swing and seam and possess a dangerous slower ball, his best asset.

Admire Manyumwa (21)

Manyumwa is arguably the quickest bowler in Zimbabwe at the moment despite his rather small stature. The right-armer from Chitungwiza impressed West Indies players with his pace while bowling to them in the Harare Sports Club nets last year.

He however needs a bit of control over his deliveries to adjust line and length, and that will require specialised coaching.

Taurai Muzarabani (22)


When Gary Brent retired from international cricket, he tipped Muzarabani to be a future cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s bowling. Of slender built, the Takashinga right-arm seamer can swing quite sharply and is fast learning the art of movement.

He was successful in 2007 when Zimbabwe A played in the South African Airways B Challenge.

Graeme Cremer (23)


Cremer is not exactly an upcoming player, but since making his Test debut in Bangladesh back in 2004, he has not found a permanent place in the side because as a legspinner, he was considered a longer version specialist at a time Zimbabwe is not playing Tests.

He however has shown keenness and ability to adjust to the demands of limited overs. He should extend Zimbabwe’s legacy of quality slow bowlers.

Timycen Maruma (20)

From the Churchill/Takashinga conveyer belt, this lanky offspinner has shown great promise at the Zimbabwe A level, bowling tight overs in the mid-innings and getting crucial breakthroughs. He can also hit hard down the order and is sometimes used as a pinch-heater in the top-order.

[jimbo]

So Admire manumwa has been classed as the quickest bowler in zimbabwe!!. Could we have a zimbabwe's version of fidel edwards in our ranks?

[zulu]

If theres one thing zim lack the most that is a qaulity seam bowler. We have no 1 with real pace rainsford and chigumbura bowl around 125-135kph which is medium fast. Manyumwa has been around for a while I would definatly give him a run

[brmtaylor.com admin]

That's good news about Manyumwa - I don't know why but I always had the feeling that he was more in the mould of Gary Brent or Tawanda Mupariwa (strangely, I did imagine him as of a smaller height!) speed wise. But if he is the quickest in Zimbabwe, fantastic. We know Rainsford can push 138, Chigumbura 135... so for Manyumwa to be quicker than these guys presumably that is around 135-140.

The sad thing about Zimbabwe cricket is that the vast majority of us have no idea how these players look until they get picked for the national team, and even then it depends on who we play against due to the TV coverage. If only SuperSport decided to broadcast the blockbuster Logan Cup and Faithwear matches right? Northerns vs Easterns showdown live on SS6?

As for the rest of the list, Enock Muchinjo looks on the money. Cremer isn't really an upcoming player (he acknowledged this though), perhaps I'd put Nyamuzinga there in place of him.

It's nice that we are building a nice looking second eleven now too. The more matches that all of our players have under their belts the better. This time next year Garwe could have 30 First Class and 30 List A matches under his belt - if he then debuted for Zimbabwe I imagine he would be the most experienced (match-wise) player in quite a few years.

[Detective RDS]

This is a great article written by Enock Muchinjo.

This is a good group of players.

Yes...Graeme Cremer isnt an upcoming player.He can be treated as a regular in the national fold.So as Forster Mutizwa although he is yet to tested against strong opposition.

Malcolm Waller and Regis Chakabva can also come to the final eleven and they both have strong chances to remain in the 14th man squad.

Admire Manyumwa is an upcoming player.He has done well in recent times.

Stephen Nyamuzinga should have been added in the list.He has an average of 32 in FC cricket.

Taurai Muzarabani and Trevor Garwe are 'A' team pacers means reserve pacers.Extra ordinary form can take them to the national ring.

Timycen Maruma inclusion in the national team is hard as there are many spinners sticking around even Brighton Mugochi is on now with yet another 5 wicket hauls under his belt.

Cephas Zhuwawo is attacking but his domestic stats arent good at all.He has perform well or only can be treated as a T20 specialist.

I amnt so convinced about Tino Mawayo.I have seen him playing an ODI against Bangladesh.There he was cleaned up by Syed Rasel.I am doubtful about his terchnique.

Have a look at this:

Tino Mawoyo is bowled for 10, Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 5th ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, December 9, 2006

69426[1].jpg (40.45 KiB) Viewed 2852 times

See his position of the bat.Really not a good look!

[bigdoggpitbull]

BATSMAN: in terms of technique malcom waller is far ahead of everyone.. in terms of class that title is shared between nyamuzingwa & mutizwa..

BOWLERS: in terms of accuracy rainsford(138kph) & manyumwa(130kph max!! i dont know were this fastest bowler tag came from) share this.. in terms of pace there are only 2 bowlers in zim bowling over 140kph & that is aliseni & jarvis

Zim Team Test(players not in any order)
1.P Utseya(our leader)
2.H Masakadza(most consistent)
3.T Taibu(Team spirit)
4.F Mutizwa(high strike rate mixed with class)
5.M Waller(best we have)
6.S Nyamuzingwa(aggression mixed with class)
7.M Vermuelen(experience and also e best)
8.R Price(he's just the 'dhara')
9.E Rainsford(most accurate & gud pace 138kph)
10.T Mpariwa(fastest zim bowler to 50 wickets!!)
11.C Mphofu(very accurate and consistent, extra bounce, decent pace 132kph)
12.E Chigumbura(gud pace 135kph, most consistent all-rounder)
13.T Muzarabani(runs in the whole day)
14.S Matsikinyeri(experience & leadership)
15.G Aliseni(the fastest bowler in zimbabwe, only 90mph bowler we have)
16.K Jarvis(Also very quick has been measured at 144kph)
17.B Mujuru(very patient batsmen, guarenteed runs!!)
18.G Ballance(would easily be our best batsman if he was available)
19.D Landman(a class act, perfect technique, most consistent batsman at U19 world cup)
20.S Williams(most talented batsman, best allrounder)
21.T Ruswa(a class act period!!)
22.R Higgins(best leg spinner)
23.K Dabengwa(teams spirit & gives 100% all e tym)