[Match Thread] 1st 'A' Test (Zimbabwe v New Zealand)

[maehara]

Zimbabwe v New Zealand: 1st 'A' Test
Harare Sports Club, 7-10 October 2010



Zimbabwe Squad: Vusi Sibanda (captain), Prince Masvaure, Steve Marillier, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Forster Mutizwa, Malcolm Waller, Tino Mawoyo, Friday Kasteni, Rregis Chakabva, Taurai Muzarabani, Michael Chinouya, Solomon Mire, Trevor Garwe, Keegan Meth, Natsai Mushangwe, Tendai Chatara, Njabulo Ncube, Tinashe Panyangara, Timycen Maruma.

New Zealand Squad: James Franklin (capt), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, Nick Beard, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Bhupinder Singh, Reece Young.

[bayhaus]

Shucks and that our A team! Man there are really intersting times ahead for ZC! Cant wait for this to start then friday T20! Bliss!

[maehara]

One thing that strikes me with this series: with such a large squad named, it's clear to me that Zim will be playing around with with lineups & trying to find the best combinations. That means that for at least some of the matches, we won't be fielding our strongest side and will be playing for experience & to give everyone named a shot rather than necessarily to win.

When it comes time to decide how well this series has gone from a Zim point of view, then, look at the individual performances and see who's stood up to make a claim for a place in the senior Test squad next year - it's identifying those people that this series is all about, and not the bottom-line results.

[aydee]

One thing that strikes me with this series: with such a large squad named, it's clear to me that Zim will be playing around with with lineups & trying to find the best combinations. That means that for at least some of the matches, we won't be fielding our strongest side and will be playing for experience & to give everyone named a shot rather than necessarily to win.

When it comes time to decide how well this series has gone from a Zim point of view, then, look at the individual performances and see who's stood up to make a claim for a place in the senior Test squad next year - it's identifying those people that this series is all about, and not the bottom-line results.

To be fair, that's pretty much what A-team cricket is all about anyway. The Intercontinental Cup was a little different, as there was actually a competition, but even that turned out to not be all that important...

[eugene]

Glad to see Keegan Meth in the squad. I am very interested to see how he performs.

[bayhaus]

that's pretty much what A-team cricket is all about anyway

So you get a shot take a five four and get a Hundred cos you probably have one shot at it, Zimbas need to develop that attitude whereby that one chance leaves the selectors with a headache.

[Conant]

Vusi Sibanda (captain), Prince Masvaure, Steve Marillier, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Forster Mutizwa, Malcolm Waller, Tino Mawoyo, Friday Kasteni, Regis Chakabva, Taurai Muzarabani, Michael Chinouya, Solomon Mire, Trevor Garwe, Keegan Meth, Natsai Mushangwe, Tendai Chatara, Njabulo Ncube, Tinashe Panyangara, Timycen Maruma

This is going to be difficult squad to select especially after Tino Mawoyo's impressive 208 against the same opposition the other day. Assuming that Vusi Sibanda opens the batting (I don't see how he fits in the middle order) with Steve Marrilier, then

no 3. Forster Mtizwa
4. Sean Williams
5. Craig Ervine
6. Malcom Waller
7. Regis Chakabva (wkt keeper
8. Prince Masvaure
9. Tinashe Panyangara
10. Tendai Chatara
11. Natsai Mushangwe

This way I don't see where Tino bats. His best hope lies in a big ton from either Williams or Ervine - actually they are exiting after the first game, no?

Similarly I don't see Tymcen Maruma play unless if Mushangwe does ridiculously well in the first match the he can be rested.

Again I feel the selectors are particularly keen to asses Tinashe Panyangara. The big question is whether he still has the pace (137 plus) becoz the art of swing is really never lost

[maehara]

To be fair, that's pretty much what A-team cricket is all about anyway.

True - but people seem to forget that once the games are underway and complain vocally if we don't win or if we didn't play the strongest possible side. Just trying to manage expectations a little.

[sloandog]

Glad to see Keegan Meth in the squad. I am very interested to see how he performs.

About time too !! He's deserved his spot in this side, and if i was a selector i'd have had him in instead of Keth Dabengwa for the South Africa Tour

[eugene]

I would select most people ahead of Dabengwa, maybe even Matsi.