The harsh reality

[eugene]

Except that high school based sports are often not a good indicator of real talent levels. The disparity in abilities is diminished at such a young age as players are still growing physically and mentally.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Come on guys, it's not the end of the world. We batted poorly but we didn't get routed for 35. We actually bowled pretty well on this tour, it's not like we were conceding 3/750 declared.........

Taylor and Masakadza, our two best batsmen, were out of form. Without these two firing Zimbabwe won't win many matches, let alone Test matches.

Bring on Bangladesh. Zimbabwe can hold their own at home; the best way to silence the critics would be to win the upcoming Test series 2-0. If the bowlers continue their good form and Taylor and Masakadza get amongst the runs we'll have no problems.

Exactly my thoughts. We won few of the sessions and that too after playing a test after a long year. The things could have been different with Hami and Tylor firing. I have lost all hope with Vusi and agree with Zimdoggy in bringing Vermeulen. He was class. Having said that, we are playing Bangladesh next and that too at HSC. As far as tests are concerned in Zim, we can thrash them any day. They may be competitive in ODI's but not in Tests and that too in Zim.

[Tinashce Ruswa]

In Zimbabwe's history, how many of the best players have been university educated?
It could well be part of the problem... I wonder how many players are being lost because they are at university in other countries. Masakadza is one notable exception; he came back.

Unfortunately people go out to Universities and NEVER come back, life happens.....

It seems because of the state of issues with cricket at home, people will always seep throghh cracks and to be honest, given an option between say Risk analysis & 1A club cricket against playing back home, how many would return.

ZC needs to find a way to retain people...that way they build up the domestic structure...No nation can afford to bleed out players if whatever capacity like we have done....


I hope one day Cricket in Zimbabwe plays to its potential, till that day we hope and pray

[Ming]

Another thing which hasn't been mentioned here is the fact that we have what I consider to be a pretty short season. We definitely have the possibility to extend it so players can get more matches under their belt. Dunno if that would be useful, but playing first class on a dry winter pitch might come as a useful extra bit of experience.

[aydee]

Another thing which hasn't been mentioned here is the fact that we have what I consider to be a pretty short season. We definitely have the possibility to extend it so players can get more matches under their belt. Dunno if that would be useful, but playing first class on a dry winter pitch might come as a useful extra bit of experience.

I do agree. An extra round of games in all 3 formats, with the Logan Cup final re-instateed. That would give the guys 12 FC/List A/T20 games a season plus finals. I think this would be an improvement, although there are probably financial reasons why it is not possible...

[Boundary]

If the top team continues to embarrass and be thrashed in front of the world cricket media, the fact is it'll matter little what we do to the school/university/club system. If we lose the test status (and how can we continue keeping it if Ireland and Afghanistan can argue they're better than us?) then everything else fades away. We cannot continue to be humiliated like this, losing Tests in 3 days, limping out of every world cup but most importantly not having a fighting spirit at all. It will start by being frozen out, then voices will get louder why we are officially part of the Future Tours when no one finds value playing us and eventually a meeting will be called at the ICC to determine if we should preserve our test status. At this rate in 3 years' time it'll be gone. We need to be proactive.

[Jemisi]

I agree with you on the urgency Boundary, and the possible outcome you forecast. I just don't think throwing out the current players is the best idea. The bowling attack is making progress. Jarvis might actually be something. In fact of our team most of our players can compare to the Zim team from the turn of the centruy, with the exception of Andy Flower and Streak. Taylor is a match for Campbell, Vusi and Hami for Carlisle and Wishart. Price is a match for Price. Williams can be as good as Whittall. Mawoyo for Rennie or Gripper. Jarvis can match the bowlers who used to support Streak, so can most of our best seamer options. Cremer is better than Murphy or players of that ilk. We are just missing the superstar - probably his name is Ballance from this generation.

I think a tour plan should be found that matches what we did prior to the rentry to Tests, to fill these gaps and expand our playing knowledge. Plus the extra tour fixtures are a crucial fix for the immediate improvement they will bring to our away performance.

[Kriterion_BD]

As far as tests are concerned in Zim, we can thrash them any day. They may be competitive in ODI's but not in Tests and that too in Zim.

I'm not quite sure how you came to this conclusion.

[sloandog]

As far as tests are concerned in Zim, we can thrash them any day. They may be competitive in ODI's but not in Tests and that too in Zim.

I'm not quite sure how you came to this conclusion.

Nor me.

[Kriterion_BD]

As far as tests are concerned in Zim, we can thrash them any day. They may be competitive in ODI's but not in Tests and that too in Zim.

I'm not quite sure how you came to this conclusion.

Nor me.

Although to be brutally honest, recent records/ratings points/reputation doesn't mean anything except for what happens on match day. And on the last match day, we got thrashed in the Test and 3 of the ODIs. That being said, I don't know how the mood in the current ZIM camp is versus what it was in 2011, but the BD camp will be hungrier and more confident than last time. And hopefully less complacent than last time.