The harsh reality

[Kriterion_BD]

Hi all. Just on the original topic, whilst on field performances have been disappointing, the politics of international cricket mean that in my view Test status would never be forcibly removed. On a good day we are still level with Bangladesh, and given that nothing would happen without the BCCI approving of it, I think we just need to focus on the continued rebuilding process without having a deeper existential crisis.

I tend to agree...Test status probably won't be revoked, nor should it in my opinion unless there are extreme circumstances. So few countries play it, there is no point. I think if Ireland and Afghanistan got Test status, it would benefit Zimbabwe (and also Bangladesh) by providing more opponents of a easier quality. Hopefully the Irish get Test status soon.

[tawac]

I reckon a Team needs one or two good players who stand on thier feet regardless of whether all else crumbles around them. We used to have that in Dave Houghton then Andy Flower then Taibu to a lesser extend. Players who could walk into any team in the world. So key is finding that individual who can carry the team. Ballance would have made a great case to this effect but he is a lost cause. Maybe the likes of Ervine can improve and carry the day for us. He has shown the signs he just needs the support and the right incentives to continue.

[zimfan93]

I reckon a Team needs one or two good players who stand on thier feet regardless of whether all else crumbles around them. We used to have that in Dave Houghton then Andy Flower then Taibu to a lesser extend. Players who could walk into any team in the world. So key is finding that individual who can carry the team. Ballance would have made a great case to this effect but he is a lost cause. Maybe the likes of Ervine can improve and carry the day for us. He has shown the signs he just needs the support and the right incentives to continue.

I honestly think that given some of the knocks he has produced that Brendan Taylor is that player. We just need one more strike bowler (an in form Vitori?) to back up Jarvis and a couple of guys to solidify the middle order. Mawoyo and Sibanda have proven their bona fides and deserve to have the opening positions locked in for a while, and Mazakadza wouldn't have made a test ton in his teens if he couldn't handle a bat.

[sloandog]

Want to know what the problem is ? Psychological toughness. We have all the talent in the world, with the ball, with the bat, and even in the field (hard to believe i know going off recent form on the meadow), but if you can't be mentally strong, you're going nowhere.

We have the batters, the spinners, and some decent fast bowlers all to succeed, but as long as we have this soft mentality, we won't go forward. I don;t even remember the last time a fast bowler got in a batsmen's face from the current crop we have. Price is the only one, and he's a spin bowler! He's the last of the bunch with that killer, never say die instinct!

[zimfan93]

Want to know what the problem is ? Psychological toughness. We have all the talent in the world, with the ball, with the bat, and even in the field (hard to believe i know going off recent form on the meadow), but if you can't be mentally strong, you're going nowhere.

We have the batters, the spinners, and some decent fast bowlers all to succeed, but as long as we have this soft mentality, we won't go forward. I don;t even remember the last time a fast bowler got in a batsmen's face from the current crop we have. Price is the only one, and he's a spin bowler! He's the last of the bunch with that killer, never say die instinct!

Amen- we should, for example have won the Bulawayo test against New Zealand, which we didn't have the nerve for (which absolutely gutted me!) And yes, as this commentary excerpt demonstrates, Ray Price ought to be the team psychologist/ director of productive anger

37.3 from Price, that is a freakish run-out. Williamson had come out of his crease to push the ball back at Price who picked up with his left hand and threw the ball back at the batsman's end. Williamson tried to evade the ball at the same time as he took a stride back to make his crease. His stride wasn't long enough and his boot was on the line when Chakabva broke the stumps. What an odd dismissal. Williamson should have tried to slide his bat in instead of taking a long backward step. 115/2

And now we shall never speak of that match again...

[Jemisi]

Director of Productive Anger. I like it.

[aydee]

We have all the talent in the world, with the ball, with the bat, and even in the field (hard to believe i know going off recent form on the meadow),

We have the batters, the spinners, and some decent fast bowlers all to succeed,

Disagree.

"Getting in batsman's face" can only possibly be a 2%... What Zimbabwe clearly does not have is quality. I shy away from using the word talent, as it seems to mean something different to everybody. But in terms of quality, Zim are almost hopelessly short. No amount of posturing is going to change that.

[foreignfield]

We have all the talent in the world, with the ball, with the bat, and even in the field (hard to believe i know going off recent form on the meadow),

We have the batters, the spinners, and some decent fast bowlers all to succeed,

Disagree.

"Getting in batsman's face" can only possibly be a 2%... What Zimbabwe clearly does not have is quality. I shy away from using the word talent, as it seems to mean something different to everybody. But in terms of quality, Zim are almost hopelessly short. No amount of posturing is going to change that.

Well put.

As hard as it is, I guess we have to accept this "harsh reality".

[eugene]

In the end I think it is clear that we lack quality, how many of the Zimbabwean team would walk into another international side, even Bangladesh or New Zealand?

[aydee]

We have all the talent in the world, with the ball, with the bat, and even in the field (hard to believe i know going off recent form on the meadow),

We have the batters, the spinners, and some decent fast bowlers all to succeed,

Disagree.

"Getting in batsman's face" can only possibly be a 2%... What Zimbabwe clearly does not have is quality. I shy away from using the word talent, as it seems to mean something different to everybody. But in terms of quality, Zim are almost hopelessly short. No amount of posturing is going to change that.

Well put.

As hard as it is, I guess we have to accept this "harsh reality".

True. The follow on point from this reality is that there is no quick fix. None. The only road to improvement is long-term improvement and investment in a) broadening the player base, and b) providing those players who do emerge with the best possible opportunity to maximise their ability.