Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan | First Test | 26 December 2024 - 30 December 2024 | Queens Sports Club

[jaybro]

I didn’t watch all of the test, but I think things could have been a lot different if Zimbabwe held their chances. They must have dropped Rahmat Shah at least 7 times from what I saw, not sure about Hashmat he looked pretty solid.

After they got through the middle order, the Afghan rail collapsed, so some better catching then maybe Zimbabwe would have been batting on day 4 with a lead.

Mavuta did struggle, but as usual Ervine used him poorly. Always uses him as a last resort once the other bowlers have all been used and the Batsman are set. I’d stick with Rango but I know he will be dropped.

Ngarava & Nyauchi in for Trev & Newman would be ideal. I would bring Raza in, Zim aren’t in the position of being able to pick & choose so if he’s fit and willing I’d play him. Gumbie seemed to struggle with the gloves so I would be tempted to leave him out for Mayavo, but the fact he opens & keeps makes it possible to bring in Raza and keep the 4 bowlers, which is needed on a flat pitch.

I’ve said it many times before, but the pitches prepared in Zimbabwe are a hindrance to both the quality of cricket we get to see and also the progression of players in Zim. Slow flat decks offer very little in regards of an exciting match, and also don’t prepare the batsman for overseas conditions.

[jaybro]

Stoked that Ngarava will play, torn for Raza's selection. He'll add a lot to the team with both bat and ball, but he's stained my opinion of him after the recent fiasco with Akram.

Sorry guys, out of the loop but what happened with Raza & Akram?

From what I gather from the forums, Raza has been using his position as captain or whatever to put Akram into the team ahead of more deserving players.

Ahh that’s fucked, and very disappointing from Raza if that’s true.

From afar, it seems that team selection has gotten very political again. How Jono Campbell and Nick Welch are being left out is mind blowing. Even Matt Welch has a much superior record to others being selected, but it seems the offical white-quota has been brought back into play.

[Andy31]

If anyone has any highlights for day 5.
Please feel free to post them.

[eugene]

We actually have a few selection headaches in a good way. I see many calling for both Welch's and Johnathan Campbell to play - we simply don't have three open batting spots at the moment. Gumbie or Mayavo have to play as a wicketkeeper meanwhile Curran, Kaitano, Williams, Ervine, and Bennett all deserve to stay in the team - that is 6 spots taken right there. That leaves Myers, Welch x 2, and Campbell all fighting for one spot.

[Andy31]

I feel it may be best to rest Gumbie - Just from a keeping for two days stand point.
Kaitaino moves to opener and Mayavo bats behind Bennet.

Campbell may just miss out again but really you cant really rest Dion or Bennett.

[Jemisi]

I'd be prepared to play Campbell for Mavuta but fine if Raza swaps with him. I don't know if Mayavo is a better option than Gumbie, they seem to be much of a muchness.

[sloandog]

I'd be prepared to play Campbell for Mavuta but fine if Raza swaps with him. I don't know if Mayavo is a better option than Gumbie, they seem to be much of a muchness.

Gumbie is a better batting option but Mayavo is a seriously good wicket keeper...probably the best in the country from I remember seeing of him

[zimbos_05]

I don't really want to be that guy, but why do the African players struggle more, particularly with the bat? Is there a genetic issue, or mental issue here? Seems that there's almost a ceiling to their talent and performances. Even happened in the past with the likes of Elton, Mire, Hamilton, Vusi, Matsi.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I don't really want to be that guy, but why do the African players struggle more, particularly with the bat? Is there a genetic issue, or mental issue here? Seems that there's almost a ceiling to their talent and performances. Even happened in the past with the likes of Elton, Mire, Hamilton, Vusi, Matsi.

A bit genetic, lack of patience etc.
West African/white hybrids have had success though via the West Indies.

Also they dont really have cricket ingrained culturally in their blood, usually batsman develop that instinct from their dads, a cricket interest and understanding from birth. look at even the enthusiastic fans in the crowd dancing and singing, its lovely, but they dont know the game deeply.
Then they get used to having a free ride when they do show some talent and ZC start frothing at the mouth and get super horny over them, like Wes, so they dont 'earn' the spot through hard work and grit. No surprise the better players recently like Kaia, Kaitano are the ones that were never anointed as chosen ones but worked hard.

They can pick up bowling better as its more linked to athleticism and less to cricket nouse. Ive always said that white batsman and black fast bowlers should be what Zim should aim for.

[TapsC2]

I think it all had to do with access to coaching and training. In the early 2000s you had the likes of Hamilton and Taibu all basically coming from the same setup. Now you have a lot of black kids inspired by their story but at the same time have gone to good schools with decent setups.

Another way of looking at it is that u19 level you can't say any race is significantly outperforming the other when it comes to batting. To me the likes of Bennett, Myers Maru, Welch Jr etc are all around the same level when it comes to ability with Bennett and Myers being slightly ahead. The best batsman in their generation is Muyeye and he is black but he went to a good school which earned him a scholarship to get into an even better setup. That's why I don't believe its genetic