The year in review....2009

[ZIMDOGGY]

2009 was another promising year in Zimbabwean cricket....

This year, we saw the retirement of Paul Strang, who after over 100 tests has finally made way for the young Graeme Cremer. "It just feels like the right time" said Strang, who, partnering with Price has been fighting of the energetic Cremer and zippy Utseya for the last two years.

Meanwhile, there is no such retirement talk with the dynamic duo of Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower, who, both in their late 30s....have been causing havoc for opposition bowlers over the last decade and have just recently broken the record of "highest 2nd wicket partnership' against Bangladesh. "I enjoy playing for my country, i enjoy being under the coaching of my brother' said Flower . "Im just trying to focus on the 2011 world cup and then reassess my future after that" says the well spoken Murray Goodwin- to which Flower agrees "i think we can repeat what we did in the 2007 world cup, but we got to stick together'...words that will echo through every Zimbabwean fan in the post Mugabe era.

Meanwhile, at the top of the order, the feud between who should lead the innings intensifies with Masakadza, winning the war with his nemesis Stuart Carlisle to face the new ball. Insiders say Stuarts time has come, and 2010 is likely to be the swansong of the former Zimbabwean captain...who has been struggling to nail down a position in the strong top Zimbabwean batting lineup.

However, if Hamilton represented a black Zimbwean win, then white zimbabwe has struck back to level the score in the other great competive feud of who should be keeping for Zimbabwe, with Brendan Taylors solid batting (no doubt the result of the confidence of knowing he has an experienced lineup below him should his wicket fall) winning out over the slick keeping skills of the chirpy Taibu, who carried the drinks for the majority of 2009. Taitenda had the upper hand with the Ali Campbell led selectors until an injury, the result of standing to close to the stumps against the pace attack, gave Brendan another opportunity in the baggy green test cap...an opportunity Brendan took with both hands and scored his maiden double century against Australia midway through the year - the second highest score of the summer behind regular number 5 Sean Ervines 236* against England earlier in the year.

In the bowling stakes, Zimbabwes impressive spin attack was once again well supported by the sheer pace of Andy Blignaut-who once upon a time was known for mixing brute pace with wayward missiles, until fellow seamer and first interchange bowler-the evergreen,yet fading Heath Streak- brought Blignaut under his wing to teach him the finer points of line and length bowling. "Ever since i decided to focus on medium pace accuracy, i have found i can dictate the play just as well as ever" said Streak: "its only fair i pass along 15 yrs of knowledge to our opening bowlers-bliggie and Anthony Ireland, as well as the young prodigys in theA-team-the likes of Kyle Jarvis, Ryan Sloan and Taneshe Panyangara-who are just waiting for their time to shine in the national side.

Perhaps though the biggest surprise was the emergence of regular number 6 Elton Chigumbura...who not only has managed to keep Greg Lamb and Sean Williams out of the side but has emerged as the frontline all rounder and Zimbabwes superstar...whom many say has taken over from his captain Heath. "I just like to play my attacking game knowing dat my main man Heath and my wigga A-Bliggy are still to come in below me should i have a bad day dawg" "They be my homie Gs fo' life- im a learnt so much from them dawgs". Eltons skill has earnt him a contract in the English county system with Northhamptonmshire- taking the total number of Zimbabweans in English first class cricket to 15.


However,
It wasnt all smiles in 2009 for Zimbabwean cricket, after the death of former national bastmen Stuart Matsikenyeri....who fell victim to a thunderbolt bouncer in the nets at training by former speedster and current national bowling coach Gus Mackay. Although Stuart hasnt played at the top level since 2003, he will be greatly missed by those within Zim cricket.


-Cricinfo.





















Dare to dream.

[sloandog]

as well as the young prodigys in theA-team-the likes of Kyle Jarvis, Ryan Sloan and Taneshe Panyangara-who are just waiting for their time to shine in the national side.

Love it mate
I take it you wrote this DOGGY




















Dare to dream.[/quote]

[tawac]

How much we would all love this article to be true but we cant change time. Love it, except of that last bit of info. on Matsikinyere that is straight up NASTY. You really need to edit that coz it isnt amusing at all.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

How much we would all love this article to be true but we cant change time. Love it, except of that last bit of info. on Matsikinyere that is straight up NASTY. You really need to edit that coz it isnt amusing at all.

The first few para are nice but last one is indeed a pathetic joke. Your poor humor is comparable to your first match in Australasia where everything went haywire-be it your childish sloppy fielding or run leaking overs.Not so sure whether it was against Kiwis or Aussies but it was a freaky day. All my hopes (of whatever i read about u) crashed in 50 overs (though u were much better than that and its a pity i was never able to compare your batting prowess with your alternative and old georgian- CNE).

[Conant]

Your sense of humour is mind-boggling Zimdoggy. Very poor.

[ZIMDOGGY]

oh have a cry.
waaahhh


stick to one word replies

[ZIMDOGGY]

How much we would all love this article to be true but we cant change time. Love it, except of that last bit of info. on Matsikinyere that is straight up NASTY. You really need to edit that coz it isnt amusing at all.

your first match in Australasia CNE).

Dont ever say to an Australian they are from 'Australasia'.

Much more offensive.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

How much we would all love this article to be true but we cant change time. Love it, except of that last bit of info. on Matsikinyere that is straight up NASTY. You really need to edit that coz it isnt amusing at all.

your first match in Australasia CNE).

Dont ever say to an Australian they are from 'Australasia'.

Much more offensive.

Sorry mate, i was referring to the match. I wasnt sure whether it was wellington ODI or Hobart ODI. So used the word Australasia. Cant find anything wrong in that. My memory cells are weak in recollecting ur debut you know but very well remember the "Marillier" Perth match where you also played.

[CrimsonAvenger]

However,
It wasnt all smiles in 2009 for Zimbabwean cricket, after the death of former national bastmen Stuart Matsikenyeri....who fell victim to a thunderbolt bouncer in the nets at training by former speedster and current national bowling coach Gus Mackay. Although Stuart hasnt played at the top level since 2003, he will be greatly missed by those within Zim cricket.

oh have a cry.
waaahhh


stick to one word replies

Don't you think you owe us an apology for that ridiculous comment about a fellow human being? Else, can you show us one fellow forum member who would consider this as humorous?

[ZIMDOGGY]

Don't you think you owe us an apology for that ridiculous comment about a fellow human being? Else, can you show us one fellow forum member who would consider this as humorous?

A)I apologise for not being a pussy.
B) Eugene and Sloandog <--- they are the smartest people on the forum.....coincidence?


But i have an announcement:

Stuart Matsikenyeri is alive and well. And as far as i know Gus Mackay has no plans to unleash his phenomenal speed for manslaughter purposes. Stuart is smart enough to know he wouldnt survive and wouldnt get in the nets in the first place.


Every night the boogeyman checks under his bed for Matsikenyeri......


But Matikenyeri checks his for Gus......

Y'all can all put the phones to the police down now. No need for an ambulance. : )