what would your world cup 15 man squad be .

[sloandog]

@Conant: Hmm i don't agree with the fact that you think Nicholson is far from a game. I spoke to Greg Strydom and Piet Rinke the other and asked them about this lad. Rinke said that when he faced him in 2006/07 in first class cricket, he thought he had serious pace, and questioned why he wasn't being selected. But he did say he was raw, and had no control over his pace.

I spoke to Strydom the other day and he said he's leant a lot while he's been away, and his pace is still with him. I'd like to see him and Mazakadza take the new ball in one of the matches, see what he's made of.

As far as Mupariwa is concerend, do we think he'll get another shot at international cricket ?? I don't think so

[CrimsonAvenger]

@Conant: Hmm i don't agree with the fact that you think Nicholson is far from a game

Oops! Its me who said that, and I stand by it. If trying out new faces is what we are after, Then, why not more chances to Chatara / Ncube? Or go back to Keegan Meth. These people have proven track record of U-19 / at least a season. How can Nicholson be plucked out of the blue ahead of these 3? Despite that, I would be happy to see him perform well and give us some hope with pace bowling options.

In general, this "only speed" centric look is too narrow minded. We are not looking at variations, diversity in terms of our pace attack. Pace is necessary for our return to test cricket, but the shorter formats are not always about pace. Mupariwa could still play a role on slow and low pitches, like the ones currently in Zim and Bangladesh, and a couple in Sri Lanka.

[eugene]

Why is Mupariwa out of the picture at the moment? Have his performances with the ball really been any worse than any of our other pace bowlers?

[Conant]

@Conant: Hmm i don't agree with the fact that you think Nicholson is far from a game

Oops! Its me who said that, and I stand by it. If trying out new faces is what we are after, Then, why not more chances to Chatara / Ncube? Or go back to Keegan Meth.

In general, this "only speed" centric look is too narrow minded. We are not looking at variations, diversity in terms of our pace attack. Pace is necessary for our return to test cricket, but the shorter formats are not always about pace. Mupariwa could still play a role on slow and low pitches, like the ones currently in Zim and Bangladesh, and a couple in Sri Lanka.

Thanks Crimson, was furiously scratching my head trying to remember in vain.

And about Mpariwa I agree totally, the man has clever variations. He didn't get to the fastest 50 wickets without substance in him.

@Sloan, I don't know if Greg Strydom and Piet Rinke are a good barometer for judging bowling. If you asked them about about Stewy's spin bowling they would tell you, "absolutely bamboozled!"

[Conant]

As an aside, it is important to note that this would be Hamiton's first CWC if he makes it (he has to, otherwise we are crippled). He was away at University in 2003, and they did not consider him for selection in 2007, citing that he is a test specialist!

That was the most ridiculous decision ever. For those of us who watched him in the build up to the 2007 games, he got 27, 33, was run out 3 and 20. In short he did no worse than any other batsman at that given most were averaging 16!
Hamilton has always been judged harshly; in the New Zealand test series of 2005 he was 'too aggressive", needed to reign in, and apparently was ill suited to one day cricket which was all a joke.
And watching his figures in the Ireland series, and doubts already creeping in from forumers, was thinking, Is this de-javu for Hamilton?

[eugene]

Perhaps Dabengwa will be chosen instead of Masakadza.

[jimbo]

Perhaps Dabengwa will be chosen instead of Masakadza.

Ha Ha. With the able Allister cambell as chief Selector i think that ship has sailed

[CrimsonAvenger]

Three more places to go for my squad, and I would look at two batsmen and a spinning all rounder to fill that up...

Spinning All rounder options:

Grant Flower - Proven track record, with vast experience in the subcontinent. If he can keep himself fit and hungry and in form, there is no reason why he should not be picked.

Greg Lamb - Good tight off spin option, but he would not be of much use as a batsman at the subcontinent with his not so aggressive approach. Better not pick him in the squad instead of picking him and playing him in top 6. He is not suited for the role.

Keith Dabengwa - No matter what we say, he has some performances under his belt this season, and might continue to put up some more at the franchise level. But he is a proven failure so far at the highest level, so would be a high risk selection.

Timycen Maruma - By no means fits the bill as an all-rounder at the highest level, as he hasn't done justice to that billing yet, and he has had a very quiet season so far. So, that pretty much rules him out.

My choice at this stage is overwhelmingly in favour of Grant Flower for this role, but looking at how he copes in the SA series, opinions might change.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Two extra batsmen: The options:

Charles Coventry - "He set the bar too high for himself" as someone rightly said in another thread, but we are talking about the subcontinent here, where bludgeoners like Yusuf Pathan become IPL heroes. If this guy can stick around for 5 or 6 overs, he might deposit 4 to 5 hits out of the stadium. Are we willing to take the risk and pick him?

Craig Ervine - Has been disappointing after the tri series and I Cup efforts, and is not guaranteed of his place in playing XI anymore. With the classier Williams back in the fold, and Ervine's struggle against spin becoming a concern, he would have to fight hard to clinch a place in the squad.

Forster Mutizwa - Slightly below his own previous season standards, but can be an explosive power hitting option, if the knocks against Kenya are anything to go by.

Regis Chakabva - Seems to have overtaken Mutizwa in the battle of the 'keeper batsmen with some hard hitting big scores, but can he straightaway take up the lower order power hitter role in the national team?

Tino Mawoyo - Is in explosive form currently, and if he gets an opportunity at the highest level before CWC, can be assessed to see if he has it in him to make it.

At this stage, I would go for Ervine and Chakabva, with Ervine as cover for Williams' possible injury bad lucks. Extremely hard to leave our Mutizwa, but a couple more failures of Ervine would bring him right back into contention.

[sloandog]

Hmm I'd actually take the risk. If he can score a quick fire 50 or even 30 at the end of the innings, Coventry could be dangerous. He's our wild card for sure.

And I'd choose Ervine