brmtaylor.com admin wrote:Working through each team:
Australia - no chance
Afghanistan - they play at Greater Noida now don't they? Definitely a chance we'd request this given our struggles against spin
Bangladesh - always a good chance of a hastily arranged tour there, especially given they haven't got much scheduled in early 2017
England - no chance
Ireland - maybe they are a chance of touring Zim again
New Zealand - unlikely given we played them not so long ago
Pakistan - pretty busy schedule, unlikely... but if we offered to play in Pakistan you never know
South Africa - I guess a sneaky chance of a whistlestop tour in either country
Sri Lanka - no chance as we've just played them
West Indies - unlikely to play them again soon
So I guess if I had to bet I'd say the most likely arrangements would be one of: Bangladesh (away), Afghanistan (away), South Africa (away), Ireland (home), Pakistan (away)
Our 2017 is actually packed, probably our busiest year ever. Tours to NZ, India, and SL all before March, plus domestics. The summer is packed until July as well. We actually have more space in the latter half of 2017 because we only have 2 tours Australia at home and in RSA in October.
Kriterion_BD wrote:Can Zimbabwe host us in December 2017?
That's too late. We need some game time now.
Our chances are: Hope that the 8 team T20I tournament goes ahead and participate there in Jan, or call up Paul Strang and see if PNG wants to have their first ODI tour to Zim. Or persuade the WI to invite us for a series now.
Kriterion_BD wrote:Can Zimbabwe host us in December 2017?
That's too late. We need some game time now.
Our chances are: Hope that the 8 team T20I tournament goes ahead and participate there in Jan, or call up Paul Strang and see if PNG wants to have their first ODI tour to Zim. Or persuade the WI to invite us for a series now.
We aren't free till that time.
There is a small window of a few weeks in Feb, but I doubt the BCB would want that many tours back to back.
I'd really like to see how Bangladesh would do on a emerald carpet in Harare against the likes of Mumba and Vitori. I think our batters would struggle and struggle heavily. But I think we have the bowling to hit back unlike 2011 and 2013, though we did manage to draw a series with Robiul spearheading the attack.
I would love to see a rubber on a juicy wicket in Zim!!!
I think you're going to have to be satisfied with your domestic season for now. It has to happen eventually as your board risks ICC membership & funding if, as a full member, you don't have a formal first class season. This was outlined to your board in 2005/06 when the first class season was cancelled followed by the voluntary withdrawal from tests. Even the Indians on the ICC couldn't protect your board on that one.
And after the late submission of this controversial 2015 audit, your board may be on notice.
Besides, it wouldn't do your players any harm to concentrate on the domestic scene. The experienced guys can nurture the younger blokes along. And all those players can build impressive first class portfolios so they'll be a shade ready for higher honours.
I don't know how reliable the FTP is now, but the Windies (besides associates) are the only country with a gap in their program early next year. But looking down the track, I see South Africa are hosting Sri Lanka this summer & next summer. Great planning. Much depends on how much of a fight Sri Lanka offer this year. If SA don't get value, then maybe it's worth negotiations for a tour with SA & hopefully they postpone next year's SL gig. SA will make money after as India tour their shores later that summer.
And before India tour SA in 2017/18, they are scheduled to host Pakistan. Well, as long as your bum hole faces the ground, I'll say that won't happen. India canned the 2015/16 tour of UAE (stating a too busy schedule. The very schedule they created as one of the big 3, to play everyone often so all made money). Too much animosity exists between those 2. So both may be available. Who knows.
I'm a believer in 'A' tours. I actually thought it would've been best for the Logan Cup to comprise of 5 teams thus creating a bye. If an overseas 'A' team toured Zimbabwe, the franchise team with the bye could play them in a 3 day game followed by a one dayer. I imagine a game against an 'A' team would be of a higher standard than the regular Logan Cup. This concept is not knew. Kenya competed in the Logan Cup in 2006/07 & Zimbabwe sent a Presidents XI to the Indian Duleep Trophy in 2005/06. Plus the Windies & New Zealand have incorporated this concept as well.
I know! All the prophets of doom are going to argue about cost, logistics, scheduling, tour length, quotas, the weather & the 34 useless players. But if nothing is done, you get what you deserve.
I also believe Zimbabwe should send 'A' tours, especially to the sub continent. Bangladesh have a zonal first class comp & Sri Lanka are talking about incorporating one with their regular season. Get an 'A' team over there, play 2 or so matches against a zonal team leading to 2-3 "tests" against the host 'A' team. It would be invaluable experience before next year's Sri Lankan tour. Can't go to India as the Duleep Trophy has been played. Or else, buddy up to South Africa real quick. I say 'A' tours as this was basically the Zimbabwean structure during the 80s & you had some pretty harden cricketers then. So, what was good then, should be good now.
And finally, earlier I mentioned the 2015 audit. Well, as an outsider to Zimbabwe, it seemed pretty coincidental that when that controversy broke, Heath Streak is appointed coach (forget racism, quotas or whatever, Streak is one of your most respected names in cricket). Then a never ending domestic season is promised. And, you may recall there were moves for the SL tour to be a tri-series only. But the Windies were unavailable. Then suddenly, you have both the tests & a tri series. Remarkable turn of events.
So, I live in hope for your cricket. I am really hopeful the Indians on the ICC put the wind up your board & told them to use more creative accounting when skimming off the top. Crikey, what a rant! Stated without prejudice.
The article on Cricinfo quotes Heath Streak as saying that games will definitely be arranged for the new year. It's way too long to wait until next July for Sri Lanka away. BRMT recently commented that when he was with Zimbabwe, they'd play a series or two, and then whatever progress was made counted for nothing as they would have to wait way too long for the next one.
Mr Twig wrote:Mawoyo mentioned on commentary that ZC were organizing some international fixtures for early next year. Hopefully something comes out of that.
