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Separately, the Zimbabwe cricket team is set to embark on a tour of Sri Lanka in February and March.

Sri Lanka swept the limited-overs series 5-0 in the Zimbabwean capital Harare, but despite the one-sided scoreline, Zimbabwe put up some creditable performances.
The match dates are still being finalized, but a four-day warm-up game and five ODIs will be played.

The Canadian Press are doing a fine job of reporting on Zimbabwe cricket, they have broken a few big stories recently.

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:The Canadian Press are doing a fine job of reporting on Zimbabwe cricket, they have broken a few big stories recently.

I think they're just being very good at repeating Associated Press stories, regardless of who they're about. Not that I'm complaining.

maehara wrote:

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:The Canadian Press are doing a fine job of reporting on Zimbabwe cricket, they have broken a few big stories recently.

I think they're just being very good at repeating Associated Press stories, regardless of who they're about. Not that I'm complaining.

It's a good chance for the players to achieve some winning ODIs under their belt against strong oppornents.It's being told that Zimbabwe was out of the international scene for quite a time before they turned their way back in the ODIs against Sri Lanka in home series.The more they will play,the more they will be improved and will be able to beat strong sides.

That's true. Zimbabwe needs to play 20-25 ODI's per year, and I think we are on course for that this year. Andy Pycroft said on the broadcast that last year was a development year to "see where we're at". We have a lot of cricket lined up this year, we need to get some wins under our belts.

Unfortunately we've got too many batsmen that don't average anything. Even Williams and Taibu are only in the mid 20's. What we need is someone in at least the mid-30's or low 40's. I think Regis Chakabva might be up to the challenge, unless someone like Malcolm Waller makes an immediate impact.

It's just a damn shame that Zimbabwe couldn't debut one batsman who could hit the ground running. South Africa had Duminy who made a half century followed by 166, and now Australia trial Dave Warner who hasn't even played First Class cricket but smashed 89 against South Africa. Is the problem lack of coaching, lack of infrastructure? I think there are several ways to negate this, but ZC need to be pro-active about it. Playing in the MTN series and the Pro20 was a good start, but what we need is to be playing in these lower level competitions consistently as well as international cricket. If we play more often against teams that do have good systems, then it has to rub off on us - even if it's just something as simple as one of our bowlers picking something up from watching one of the opposition bowlers that they hadn't thought of doing before.

I think ZC should probably contact some of the ICC and the various boards and have an affiliation with the different domestic competitions each year. One year, get the "true" Zimbabwe A team to play in the SAA series. Then the next year, Zimbabwe A could play in Bangladesh's First Class league. This gets some exposure into the fringe players.

For the national team, maybe an ICC funded series with the winners of the different domestic competitions. If South Africa could do it, there's no reason why other countries couldn't. So if Uttar Pradesh win the Ranji Trophy this year, then play two 4-day matches against them followed by a couple of one-dayers (in India). This would probably take 2 weeks maximum. Next year if Jamaica win their local league in the West Indies, play them in a similar series. Not to mention, this would get the players used to the local conditions - which means on their next tour of India or West Indies or wherever, the players will be better prepared.

I guess the problem with doing anything like this is money, but surely it is in the ICC's best interests to have the lower ranked teams performing better.

You are absulutely right,brmtaylor.com admin.You are talking abt the developement programme.No doubt it's a fantastic idea.But you need 'Right People' in ZC who runs the cricket of Zimbabwe.I don't think they are doing anything right but destroying the players infact the cricket structure of the whole country.They arent doing anything to make the cricket developed.I heard that there is no money in cricket.So,it's a problem too in the way of taking necessary development steps for cricket.

I think,selection of the players hv always been the problem of Zimbabwe.I heard that there is a quota system in the team that only 2 white players will play in the final 11.It's really rubbish!How a nation can improve if they think like this in today's modern world!Selection must be made by the recent performance and domestic record of the players.Players shouldnt be slected in the basis of their skin colour.I told before that,forget who is white or who is black,they are firstly a human being.Pick the players who deserve the place really.But it's a good sign that this current squad which is playing in Bangladesh is picked on the merit of their performance.

I heard that the domestic of Zimbabwe isnt competitive enough to supply class players and the standards of the competition has fallen down.It's also said that the social cricket league where former players like Trevor Gripper(33)and Stuart Carlisle(36) is better than the FC tournament of Zimbabwe.The pitches arent sporting.It's a matter of concern too.

The FC tournament of Australia,England,South Africa,India are of very high standards.They play a lot of FC match throughout the year.So to be an international player,one has to play more and more FC cricket and perform well.The younger player should learn how to play in the international level from playing in the FC cricket.For their better exposure,they should also maintain the development programme which has to be set up quickly for the good of cricket.

I wrote abt the controversial players contract 2005 before.I guess it has really harmed the cricket of Zimbabwe a lot.I think,27 white players(probably) were failed to get a contract by ZC.Its doesnt fair really!ZC should at least try to get some former players back in the side.It's impossible that from the 40 former players only Raymond Price wants to play for Zimbabwe.I think there will be more players like him who hv a desire to represent Zimbabwe.ZC should contact with them and ask abt their intention.I think,they will resond positively.If some of those guys come into team,it will increase the strength of the team indeed.

From the batting prospective,Zimbabwe should stick with Taibu and Williams.Tatenda Taibu has a batting average of 26.83 and Sean Williams has got an ave of 27.These averages are reasonable and can be improved if they play more and better.Taibu is a very good batsman and both Taibu and Williams can be a world class batsman.

Hamilton Masakadza averages 21 in the ODIs but he is improving.Stuart Matsikenyeri has got a batting ave is 20.83 in 81 ODIs.Not at all good but making runs in the recent time.There is a problem in the opening spot of Zimbabwe with Vusimuzi Sibanada.Though Sibanda has got an ODI century but he always seems to score between 15 to 20s and not more than that and averages 22.77 in 70 ODIs.He is in the team mostly for his experience I think but needs to learn from experience.I remember,Justice Chibhabha started his career with couple of good innings of 50s against West Indies.Scored a vital 73 in the winning match against West Indies back in 2007.But Chibhabha averages 22.77 in 40 ODIs,not so convincing.But he felt out for his poor form.

I do think,batsmen should hv a batting average of maximum 30s to 40s.Regis Chakabva is a good candidate for doing that along with Malcolm Waller.I dont find any reson of dropping Chakabva for the Bangladesh tour.Chakabva can be a good player in the middle order.Chakabva has got a good domestic record under his belt averaging 31.64 in 14 FC match and 26.95 in 25 List A match.Malcolm Waller is very inexperienced in the domestic level playing only 3 FC and 9 List A match.But he is one of those guys who has to dominate in the international level for the lack of players.As far as I heard abt him,he is capable of making runs in the international level.Bradley Staddon is another good player who cn achieve a good batting average in the international cricket.Tafadzwa Ngulube,Ishmael Senzere and Alois Ticahna are I think should be the development players.While bowling isnt a big concern for Zimbabwe in the recent time.The development bowlers should be Trevor Garwe,Shingirai Masakaza and Tafadzwa Kamangozi.

maybe Zimbabwe could try and enter an A team into the ICC Intercontinental Cup competition. This will both benefit the Zimbabwe fringe players who will gain experience playing in the longer form of the game and it will help the associates who will relish the opportunity to play against stronger opposition. And some of the associates are no slouches at the 4 day games such as Ireland, Kenya and Namibia

I heard that there is a quota system in the team that only 2 white players will play in the final 11.

The quota has never been that low. Cremer, Price, Williams and Rainsford all played together last week.

8-3 was a number that was floated around a few years ago, but then Taylor, Williams, Price and Brent were playing together quite a bit early in 2008 which gave us hope that maybe the quota system had been abolished.

I don't think there are enough white cricketers left in Zimbabwe's domestic competition to have more than a couple in the national squad anyway. Everyone that should be in the squad (except for Bradley Staddon - he has potential) probably already is or has been recently.

Williams should not be dropped. He has seven half centuries in under 30 matches. People like matsikenyeri didnt hit a ODI half century till about 40 odd matches. Remember form is temporary but class is permenant. Williams has scored runs against the best and will so for a long while.

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:The quota has never been that low. Cremer, Price, Williams and Rainsford all played together last week.

Rainsford is non-white - i believe the politically-correct term these days is "dual heritage". I suppose it depends on if any quota system is white/non-white or black/non-black...