[Match Thread] Intercontinental Cup - Zimbabwe XI v Kenya

[ZIMFAN]

A very good win by a second string Zim, I wonder is it indicative of how far Zim have developed in terms of strength and depth or how far Kenya have slipped.

[Boundary]

Congrats guys. The more we get results like this the sooner we get back to Test cricket. It may have been a one man show somewhat, but that man was dropped from the squad recently, so we could argue that our player base is improving.

[cricket_22001]

A very good win by a second string Zim, I wonder is it indicative of how far Zim have developed in terms of strength and depth or how far Kenya have slipped.

As an overseas observer, I offer my humble opinion. Yes, there is a big case for Kenya's slipping. But Zimbabweans should be pleased with your own development. In this Intercontinental Cup, Taibu cleaned up the Afgans but he is a known world class performer. It has been interesting to me that the last couple of years Sibanda gets picked internationally but didn't play domestically. Yet he has been honing his skills in Australia & returning home he is producing on the domestic front. Kasteni is the same without the success in the IC cup so far.
In Zimbabwe's past there always seemd to be an opportunity for 'A" teams or second string rep teams to develop (eg in the SA UCB competition) . This had been taken away from these current players & it may take time to reap the benefits. I am sure this has affected more senior players in their development such as Mpofu, Chibhabha, Rainsford,Garwe, Mupariwa & others. These players (who started before 2005/6) continually seem to be in & out of major teams. They played one domestic competition a season (4-6 weeks) & then one or two international commitments usually out of season. If they don't perform- bang they're out. These are players who are not world beaters but with the correct development help form the basis of your top strength team around true world class performers like H.Masakadza, Taibu, Chigumbura, Sean Williams.
I use New Zealand in the 1980's as an example. Hadlee & Crowe were champions but well developed tradesman like players Cairns, Chatfield, Wright, Edgar, Bracewell, I.Smith etc formed a well balanced team who beat all major teams at some stage.
Also, Greg Chappell believed the reason Graeme Hick only averaged 33 in test cricket is because he chose England to play for & missed critical international development between the ages of 21-25 whilst qualifying for England. We can only wonder how the ICC would have treated Zimbabwe in 1986 if Hick chose to stay & players such as Traicos, Houghton, Pycroft, Brandes & Rawson were young enough with the Flowers & the Strangs developing.
But while players like Maruma, Nyumbu, S. Masakadza, Chakabva, Kamungozi, Mutizwa, Kasteni etc are given constant exposure to 'A' or IC level & are seen to be at least competitive, then all augers well for the playing pool of Zimbabwe.
Good luck & thanks for the forum to be able to contribute.

[Detective RDS]

Congratulation Zimbabwean XI

A BIG congratulation to Vusimuzi Sibanda for his excellent innings in both innings. Probably it's the best match played by Sibanda after scoring career best 209 runs in FC cricket and 116* in the 2nd innings.

Sibanda as an experienced player (he made his test debut in 2003 vs WI), I also think that he didn't play any domestic cricket in Zimbabwe for the last couple or more years. For this reason, his domestic records wasn't improving. Off late in the year of 2008, I think his form started to fall internationally.

As mentioned by CrimsonAvenger, he was in the peak of his form in 2007. He paired Taylor and Masakadza in the opening position also. As far as I can remember, his off side drive is his best shot.

It's great to see that he has returned in form in full flow with his aggression. It will be certainly good for Zimbabwean cricket.

I have to say that it's the effect of his dropping from the Zimbabwean squad for Kenya series. So, drop a player when he isn't playing well and the final result will be he will get angry and start to make big runs taking it as a challenge. It will increase the hunger and it's indeed needed for winning. Just like Sibanda did against Kenya. Hope he will continue this form domestically as well and crave for his lost spot from the national side.

As for the other players, a well done to Regis Chakabva for scoring 67 runs although failed in the 2nd innings. He was short of runs this season. But he is a very potential player, we all know that.

Good half century innings by Chibhabha in the 2nd innings. Good for Southern Rocks seeing him returning in form.

Good to see all the bowlers chipped in with wickets in the Kenyan 2nd innings.