[Discussion]: Your Zim A side for Sou A & NZ, team building

[Flakeman]

I spoke to a guy who plays for Namibia the other day and he said Namibia are leaving the SA provincial to come to Zims franchise comp. Sad that Namibia know what theyre doing before we even do. and its happening in our country. Useless ZC

[aydee]

I spoke to a guy who plays for Namibia the other day and he said Namibia are leaving the SA provincial to come to Zims franchise comp. Sad that Namibia know what theyre doing before we even do. and its happening in our country. Useless ZC

Really??

If so, I actually think that is excellent news to be honest. It will definitely improve local cricket. Stops the same 4 teams playing each other every week.

[maehara]

If true, don't know what the benefit for Namibia would be, other than perhaps saving some money through not having to play as many games. And does that mean our franchises can look forward to occasional trips to Namibia, or will they play their 'home' games in Zimbabwe..?

[Detective RDS]

I wish it was one more of our domestic side instead of Namibia.

[aydee]

If true, don't know what the benefit for Namibia would be, other than perhaps saving some money through not having to play as many games. And does that mean our franchises can look forward to occasional trips to Namibia, or will they play their 'home' games in Zimbabwe..?

They have also struggled massively in SA in recent years.

They very rarely manage to field a full strength team.

[Mueddie28]

Why doesn't Zimbabwe cricket suggest A Zimbabwe Board X1 to play in the South African Provincial game..As Nambia leaves
The Zim Board X1 replaces them.

[sixes fan]

question is will south africa accept a sub standard
zim .. a very poor side considering our selection system

[Flakeman]

Graeme Cremer has said on Twitter that he would see them playing in SA's franchise comps as a 'Great Idea' ..

[Detective RDS]

Graeme Cremer has said on Twitter that he would see them playing in SA's franchise comps as a 'Great Idea' ..

Zimbabwe needs game time badly. I've really liked the captaincy approach of Graeme Cremer. Very thinking cricketer & has a plan. It was a good read of his interview after he became a captain where he stated that he wants to pull the team in same direction & emphasized on building team spirit like New Zealand.

[Conant]

Zimbabwe A has the following fixture before the test match against New Zealand in July 28th.

Zimbabwe A v Sth Africa A at Bulawayo
Jul 9-12, 2016 (10:00 local | 08:00 GMT | 14:00 BDT)

Zimbabwe A v Sth Africa A at Bulawayo
Jul 15-18, 2016 (10:00 local | 08:00 GMT | 14:00 BDT)

Zimbabwe A v N Zealanders at Bulawayo
Jul 22-24, 2016 (10:00 local | 08:00 GMT | 14:00 BDT)

So, we can try out players for the Zimbabwe A side.

Logan cup 2015/16 (Zim FC competition) most runs & most wickets:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... tournament
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... tournament

I'm thinking of putting together the following squad:

1. Brian Chari (Has scored runs for the A side previously as well)
2. Sikandar Raza (Opened in our last test, slotted him here to get some form back)
3. Peter Moor (WK) (Has to be there)
4. Malcolm Waller (Healthy FC record, averages 38.97, no joke)
5. Vusimuzi Sibanda (C) (Scored against India in middle order, trial in the middle order for tests)
6. Ryan Burl (Has to be there)
7. Luke Jongwe (Identified as a future all rounder)
8. Shingirai Masakadza (Logan cup most wickets)
9. Brian Vitori (Needs to see how he goes)
10. Wellington Masakadza (should have debuted against Bangladesh)
11. Tapiwa Mufadza (Off spinner, was in the T20I squad vs Ind)

12. Forster Mutizwa (FC Ave 39.51)
13. Nkosana Mpofu (Tuskers opener, averaged 37.5 in this logan cup, career FC ave 30) (Richmond Mutumbami & Joylord Gumbie are other options)
14. Brandon Mavuta (The U/19 captain, leg spin can be attacking, thought about young slow left armer Herbert Chikomba & off spinner John Nyumbu also who picked up wickets vs SOU in test)
15. Carl Mumba (Has decent bowling stats, confused, there are other pacers Kyle Bowie (around ?), Nevill Madziva, Tafadzwa Muzarawetu, Taurai Muzarabani)

Other players:

Nathan Waller: Scored some runs in logan cup at the back end.
Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi: Second most wickets in logan cup. Can someone shed some lights on him ?

These are some other players who represented the previous A side:

Trevor Garwe: He's 29. Will he be able to play a role ? What does he possess ?
Timycen Maruma: Hit some useful runs in the 3rd T20I. I don't know where he stands as a longer form batsman.
Victor Nyauchi: Played for A side.
Natsai Mushangwe: Played for A side.
Tinotenda Mutombodzi: Captained the A side against Afg. Couldn't score vs Ind, looked totally out of touch.
Godwill Mamhiyo: Captained the A side. Average records. What's with him with captaincy, is it highly regarded ?


Any U/19 player you want to try who is available ? Or any other names you want to see in Zimbabwe A side ? Throw in the names.

Put up your selectors hat & name your Zimbabwe A side.

I should think you would include Regis Chikabva in that list there. He's now the first name on a any Test list since those mini heroics in Bangladesh but lacks game time which he sorely needs and therefore needs to play all the A matches. Also, he should keep wicket ahead of Mutumbami who's been really disappointing with the gloves and that should free an extra spot for a specialist batsmen. Richmond should then compete with Williams, Waller, et al for a spot in the middle order.

Vusi will probably play in one or two of those A matches as well. Hopefully he will sparkle in the first match and thus pick himself for the first Test. (I've never seen him look so good, maybe HHM was right to punt him in the middle order.) Players like Hamilton are supposed to sit these ones out but given how poorly he performed against India, selectors might throw him in.

So where there should only have been three or four seniors guiding the youngsters or finding their form, I suspect half the national team side including Williams will feature in these A games.