Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | Second Test | 02 January 2025 - 06 January 2025 | Queens Sports Club

[ZIMDOGGY]

Of course there is a quota.
Firstly, if we are going to go back to 2018, which was 7 years ago, you cannot ignore the context of Streak being appointed on ten condition he has complete choice of what team he selects. He was a high profile choice at the time and this was well publicised.
This is a fact that ZC and Zolsky have mentioned in a negative context about how many whites they chose, so what does that tell you?
Not to mention, 2018 we had a lot riding on it, which even ZC would have realised from a financial standpoint.
The quota isn’t government directed and isn’t official so they had every incentive to bend their own soft cap rules.
After Streak went it magically went back to 3+Raza, then 4.
I always look at selections and ZC never went above 4+ Raza since.
Everytime a new whites guy came in, another one was dropped or happened to be injured.
Remember when Burl got dropped? Campbell replaced him, but oook who else they kept in the side.

Yes Nick W does get overstated here a bit, but the fact remains he just scored three centuries on the trot and he should have played at least one test or ODI or been in the squad. Even Zimbabwean media have talked about it.
The truth is the Zimbabwean cricketing public have voiced their concern at the quota they themselves have seen.
It has to stop for Zimbabwe to continue as a cricket nation. We can’t afford racial games because of 70’s Rhodesia.
White kids suffer from non selection and when they do get a gig, the pressure is on them 10 fold. How unfair is that.
You also do the African guys no favours by rushing them in and selecting them on a whim. Their confidence gets destroyed in the process and they don’t work as hard as they don’t need too.
Consider Wes a prime example in both counts.

This all costs ZC money so they neee to set aside their prejudices. As long as everyone gets an equal chance to shine, no one loses.
Right now Zim have a few whites but as the sport grows they would organically reduce anyway.
They are the cunture where cricket runs deep, who introduced the game to the country and should be held in high regard.
Don’t worry, Zimbabwe will still have no lack representation. Richie and Blessing earn their spots and o one questions their selection. It’s only really the batting where the whites have shined (as of now) so it’s still filled with representation if it really matters.
The main thing is to just win and good things sil come for everyone. Sponsorships, money, reputation, growth.
It’s much better than propping up dud black dudes and getting criticism and losses for it.

[TapsC2]

Raza is the the captain of his ILT20 side so if they go far I doubt he will play the Ireland test. All questions on this 4 plus Raza quota will be answered then. Campbell is clearly next in line, I don't think Kaitano and Myers have secured their spots either so we will see. I believe one of either Campbell or NW will play

[Marshmallow]

After the Heath streak resignation how many whites are available for ZC? Williams, Ervine, Taylor, Jarvis, Burl, Moor+Raza that's a total 7 and every time 1 or 2 players are injured. Then how do they play together
I still remember they picked Roche and Murray against the pak series and everyone knows how they performed.
And don't forget Rajput doesn't rate Raza in T20 and he is rights at that time

[Marshmallow]

Raza is the the captain of his ILT20 side so if they go far I doubt he will play the Ireland test. All questions on this 4 plus Raza quota will be answered then. Campbell is clearly next in line, I don't think Kaitano and Myers have secured their spots either so we will see. I believe one of either Campbell or NW will play

So Raza played the Afghan test only because he wasn't picked by the BBL franchises.

[sam_ahm]

Of course there is a quota.
Firstly, if we are going to go back to 2018, which was 7 years ago, you cannot ignore the context of Streak being appointed on ten condition he has complete choice of what team he selects. He was a high profile choice at the time and this was well publicised.
This is a fact that ZC and Zolsky have mentioned in a negative context about how many whites they chose, so what does that tell you?
Not to mention, 2018 we had a lot riding on it, which even ZC would have realised from a financial standpoint.
The quota isn’t government directed and isn’t official so they had every incentive to bend their own soft cap rules.
After Streak went it magically went back to 3+Raza, then 4.
I always look at selections and ZC never went above 4+ Raza since.
Everytime a new whites guy came in, another one was dropped or happened to be injured.
Remember when Burl got dropped? Campbell replaced him, but oook who else they kept in the side.

Yes Nick W does get overstated here a bit, but the fact remains he just scored three centuries on the trot and he should have played at least one test or ODI or been in the squad. Even Zimbabwean media have talked about it.
The truth is the Zimbabwean cricketing public have voiced their concern at the quota they themselves have seen.
It has to stop for Zimbabwe to continue as a cricket nation. We can’t afford racial games because of 70’s Rhodesia.
White kids suffer from non selection and when they do get a gig, the pressure is on them 10 fold. How unfair is that.
You also do the African guys no favours by rushing them in and selecting them on a whim. Their confidence gets destroyed in the process and they don’t work as hard as they don’t need too.
Consider Wes a prime example in both counts.

This all costs ZC money so they neee to set aside their prejudices. As long as everyone gets an equal chance to shine, no one loses.
Right now Zim have a few whites but as the sport grows they would organically reduce anyway.
They are the cunture where cricket runs deep, who introduced the game to the country and should be held in high regard.
Don’t worry, Zimbabwe will still have no lack representation. Richie and Blessing earn their spots and o one questions their selection. It’s only really the batting where the whites have shined (as of now) so it’s still filled with representation if it really matters.
The main thing is to just win and good things sil come for everyone. Sponsorships, money, reputation, growth.
It’s much better than propping up dud black dudes and getting criticism and losses for it.

I agree. It's a very good post.

If we look at South Africa, they still officially have a transformation target but if we look at what they have done, they have played a team purely on merit for the important games like the World Cups and Test Matches... Well they reached the Finals of the T20 WC (and almost won it) ans now they are in the finals of the WTC despite sacrificing 2 tests against NZ. That's what happens when you play people on merit.

To ensure the transformation target they use meaningless T20s and some ODIs against lesser ranked sides.

South Africa earlier had Amla, Philander, Duminy, Tahir who made the side on merit and it was easy for them to meet the targets but later when these players retired RSA were struggling, and then they came up with this solution.

Most Zimbabwe fans will be delighted if Myers, Madhevere, Marumani, etc... Come off, that will help. Do we see anyone complaining about Blessing or Ngarava being in the side? No because they make it on merit.

It's that simple, they just need to select players purely on merit...

As for 2018, to this day I believe leaving out Zhuwao for Moor was a poor decision, Zhuwao was good against associates and provided fast starts... Exactly what was needed in that match... No one here is with an agenda against coloured players... It's all about merit.

[Googly]

Blessing and Richie make it on merit but it would be mighty handy if they bowled tidier line and length. They're good but could be better.

[ZIMDOGGY]

After the Heath streak resignation how many whites are available for ZC? Williams, Ervine, Taylor, Jarvis, Burl, Moor+Raza that's a total 7 and every time 1 or 2 players are injured. Then how do they play together
I still remember they picked Roche and Murray against the pak series and everyone knows how they performed.
And don't forget Rajput doesn't rate Raza in T20 and he is rights at that time

I’m glad I rmemeer that series because you have framed it as if ZC took a punt on a few young white kids, as opposed to almost the entire top 11 being out and it was a development team.
As you will recall, there was still not more than 4 white guys, usually 3. Because they never do it, except that time in 2018.

[mnelson68]

Of course there is a quota.
Firstly, if we are going to go back to 2018, which was 7 years ago, you cannot ignore the context of Streak being appointed on ten condition he has complete choice of what team he selects. He was a high profile choice at the time and this was well publicised.
This is a fact that ZC and Zolsky have mentioned in a negative context about how many whites they chose, so what does that tell you?
Not to mention, 2018 we had a lot riding on it, which even ZC would have realised from a financial standpoint.
The quota isn’t government directed and isn’t official so they had every incentive to bend their own soft cap rules.
After Streak went it magically went back to 3+Raza, then 4.
I always look at selections and ZC never went above 4+ Raza since.
Everytime a new whites guy came in, another one was dropped or happened to be injured.
Remember when Burl got dropped? Campbell replaced him, but oook who else they kept in the side.

Yes Nick W does get overstated here a bit, but the fact remains he just scored three centuries on the trot and he should have played at least one test or ODI or been in the squad. Even Zimbabwean media have talked about it.
The truth is the Zimbabwean cricketing public have voiced their concern at the quota they themselves have seen.
It has to stop for Zimbabwe to continue as a cricket nation. We can’t afford racial games because of 70’s Rhodesia.
White kids suffer from non selection and when they do get a gig, the pressure is on them 10 fold. How unfair is that.
You also do the African guys no favours by rushing them in and selecting them on a whim. Their confidence gets destroyed in the process and they don’t work as hard as they don’t need too.
Consider Wes a prime example in both counts.

This all costs ZC money so they neee to set aside their prejudices. As long as everyone gets an equal chance to shine, no one loses.
Right now Zim have a few whites but as the sport grows they would organically reduce anyway.
They are the cunture where cricket runs deep, who introduced the game to the country and should be held in high regard.
Don’t worry, Zimbabwe will still have no lack representation. Richie and Blessing earn their spots and o one questions their selection. It’s only really the batting where the whites have shined (as of now) so it’s still filled with representation if it really matters.
The main thing is to just win and good things sil come for everyone. Sponsorships, money, reputation, growth.
It’s much better than propping up dud black dudes and getting criticism and losses for it.

Brilliant post , absolutely spot on !

[ZIMDOGGY]

What people here need to understand is ZC WILL pick a white. I’ll the them that.
It’s a numbers thing. They will tolerate a white players long as they don’t go over quota. It hasn’t happened since 2018 where more than 4 white guys are selected.
Yes Liam Roche was selected, but he wasn’t the 5th white player by any means that tour. It’s always a magical injury or such.
Because they don’t advertise it, they have plausible deniability it even occurs and presumably they can alter their stance for appearances if need be. However its ideology, they want to be like South Africa whilst ignoring the raw talent difference, economics, political backlash and the fact that SA are desperate to wash their hands of quotas.
All the things, even Solsky must realised getting raped repeatedly is no fun. The fans are tired of it. Most people are. Let’s put the racial side behind us instead of holding onto old 70s grudges.

[zimbos_05]

South Africa have a proper infrastructure and people in charge who know what they are doing. They have cricket knowledge and understanding and their coaches at the domestic and youth level know what they are doing too.

Our system is led by a man with prejudice and hatred who is only in it for the money and plaudits. He has no idea about anything cricket related and as soon as someone else or a project seems to be doing well, he crushes it.

Our players don't really have much accountability too, at least the black players. So when you have a leader who is so prejudiced, coupled with the head of selectors being the same, and all your mates in positions of note, then we will always have problems.

We are the only nation that has not stopped the fall. West Indies were a great side, and despite how far they have fallen, they would never lose to a Uganda like side.