Test XI for New Zealand right now

[Flower power]

I would like to wish that these guys just pull out something from the bag and surprise us

If thsi trio clicks then the pressure for the rest of the team will be shifted


1. Taibu - Always a fighter expecting a ton from you
2.Hami- I don't know what happened to him but I am expecting another good knock from you
3.Elton - You can get a good score and hope you do it in New Zealand .

[aydee]

He's the only player who's opened in all innings this season, and therefore the best opener in Zim FC cricket! He averages the best among openers, and has the best balls faced per innigs ratio, to prove that he can really soften the ball, and ensure that on average the next man will come in towards the end of the first session, and with about 70-80 runs on the board!

If you doubt his international credentials, might I remind you that he is unrivalled as an opener, by any of the current(plus countless past) set of players!
Including Bangladesh
Excluding Bangladesh
Not Opening

Try again... Opening is actually when a batsman bats at either 1 or 2 in the line-up, not just 1! Nice try... Here are the real stats:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Just the 4 current players ahead of him in that list.

Not to mention that his ODI record from 5 years ago is almost entirely irrelevant anyway. Oh, and the fact that his strike rate over that period is a frankly laughable 52... Which every single other player who has opened in 10 or more matches has bettered! Nope, nothing here that could possibly be construed to be 'outstanding' either...

I actually quite like like Duffin, and it's good to see experienced players like him beefing up the franchise scene. He may well manage to not embarass himself in test cricket any more than many of the alternatives. However, to suggest that he is either an obvious candidate for national recognition, or moreover that he is guaranteed any sort great success in international cricket is pure fantasy.

[eugene]

Remember hhm is still pushing for a Kevin Arnott-Terry Duffin opening partnership with John Traicos as the sole spinner.

[hhm]

Try again... Opening is actually when a batsman bats at either 1 or 2 in the line-up, not just 1!

I'm well aware of that, and you will have noticed that it's not the first time that I've mentioned those stats, ask BRM. The fact is, in many cases the junior partner is almost always made to face the first ball by the senior partner (as Duffin himself often made Rinke do so). Greater nerves, higher chance of falling. However, he had to yield to the other guys, so I wanted to focus on his abilities under those situations. Which, of the current lot, makes him the best absolute opener in Zim. No errors there my friend![/quote]

to suggest that he is either an obvious candidate for national recognition, or moreover that he is guaranteed any sort great success in international cricket is pure fantasy.

Glad to know you like Duffin, and appreciate his class. But you'll have to shelve your view there. Case in point:
Tino>
FC - M5 IN8 RUNS134 HS53 AVE16.75
TEST - M3 IN6 RUNS310 HS163 AVE62
Duffin>
FC - M6 IN11 RUN269 HS70 AVE29.88
TEST - Pending (not selected since resumption)

I expect Duffin to just as well, if not better in the long run, when he gets his chance, I don't think Tino can sustain it. Does my "fantasy" lack basis? Not to mention Vusi's turn-around when he returned........

[Jemisi]

One thing I will say, Hhm. You do stick to your guns.

They may lack ammunition, but you keep reaching for them.

Just can't see Zim ever calling your bluff and picking Duffin again.

[hhm]

Just can't see Zim ever calling your bluff and picking Duffin again.

That's precisely what eugene kept saying to me about Matsi, before I discovered that I had an ally in Zimfanatic. Countless more have said the same about Rainsford, and he got a look in during the Pak or NZ tour. They've all since warmed up to the likelihood of them becoming fixtures in our national team sooner rather than later. Similar has been said about Ewing, but as with the other 3, he produced results this season and they've since changed their attitude towards him. So that's 3 down, two more to go (Duffin, Tinashe)!

I didn't have to wait for this season to begin, or for them to produce the results. So you're right about one thing, I stick to my boys! Wanna know why, - they are good enough to come back, and deliver while they're at it! Would've loved to have seen most of the faces of the guys here when Matsi was showing the world why he has the class the severely lacks in ZIm during the StanbicT20s! You may not see the ammunition, but I do!

[Jemisi]

Well to be fair to me, I've never been against Rainsford being in the picture.

And whilst Ewing has played better and is more popular at ZCF, he hasn't been picked yet. So I'd say 3 out of 4 still to go.