Franchise Round 9 - Pro50 & Logan (3- 9 March)

[tawac]

The whole idea of a 6th franchise is very interesting. But is it just a myth or people with the right pockets are actually on the ground pursuing it. And putting the idea forward. We had the Rising stars a couple of years back which actually won the Pro50 that season but that was a ZC baby. How would they take the idea of an independent team in their FC system.

[Googly]

ZC have to move away from engineering outcomes to make it look like their plans are working. They micro manage every single last thing and then step back smugly for a job well done. Nobody in the know buys any of it. Maybe the people they need to impress do though?

In the early franchise days they were semi-autonomous with their own budgets and they could pick and choose players. Rhinos and Mountaineers were extremely well run, and of course money went wildly astray in the others. There are folk that just can't help themselves

Crazy plans for expensive T20's, restricted ICC money and the drying up of corporate sponsorship meant ZC had to rein it in and put franchises and players on a less than subsistence budget.

I mean realistically if they allowed an "independent" 6th franchise it would surely get some competitive juices flowing and motivate a couple of other corporates to follow suit? I mean even if it's initially partly along racial lines does it really matter? It's not really anyway, the problem is more than 4 white guys gets a tiny minority scrambling for their AK's.
Rangers had the Marumani's, Myers, Falao and Macheka. That's 5 black players ffs, and yet they were branded a "white" side.
As it turned out Marumani and Myers went to the UK in that "u25" side, but when they were around they were automatic picks.

My point is it would be a really worthwhile experiment. If you got a 6th franchise going, and another couple of corporates sponsored one of the existing teams initially you're now getting some proper professional stuff going. The remaining sides ZC could put a bit of extra money into and reward the best coaching staff. It's the first step to getting franchise run as franchises. I mean currently it's that in name only.

Of course ZC are absolutely paranoid about losing their death grip on every single aspect of our cricket. In one season last year Takashinga were toppled off their "artificial" perch. They keep going on about how great it is but it's the only club that gets ZC funding and it's not petty cash. It's the only meaningful club in the entire country since 2000. I mean that is absolutely nothing to be proud of. In 25 years we have one adequately funded club!!!! Please let that sink in!!!
It's a disgrace. One small town in Ireland has better independently run clubs ffs.
They want to play communist cricket but capitalist cricket is the only way forward.
Without total control you immediately become accountable,
accountable for money, admin decisions, umpiring, schedules, selections etc etc and that holds unholy terrors for ZC.

Mukuru sponsor Zim kit for 300k? That's a lot of kit
They could sponsor a franchise, sponsor kit, and still have change from 300k.

Croco could give back to cricket instead of having monumentally benefitted by getting hold of ZC's forex. They could sponsor the rest of the teams and still come out on top.

Old Mutual own half of Zimbabwe, it's chump change for them.

SOGO are willing participants. Great bunch, they'd lead the way. But you mess them around and they'd likely walk. Suddenly everything has to be professionally done, not written on the back of a cigarette box after a few bottles of Johnny Walker Green.

[eugene]

Down in South Africa some were complaining about the SA20 teams not meeting racial quotas. They were of course ignored as private Indian money doesn't answer to African politics.

[Pat_Bee]

I’m warming to this Sogo Rangers franchise now at the start of the season I didn’t think it would fly but I’m starting to reconsider.

If they’re good, everyone will up their game to beat them, if they’re bad, well, certain “journos” can say such and such isn’t performing in domestic so isn’t worthy of national selection. It’s win win for everyone.

Privately funded and outside of the ZC circle of influence is the only way it will be a success though. Otherwise it will just be another franchise with long in the tooth journeymen turning out every week.

[TapsC2]

Players need to be more intentional about their approach, batting position and teams they play for. The competition for places is at a record high. If you are struggling to get into the mountaineers side then look for a franchise which has the weakest batting lineup and set up shop there. If your path to the national team is being a wicket keeper then look for a franchise with the weakest options in that department.

The tuskers for example are a good starting point. They have weakened significantly. The Rhinos and Mountaineers are too strong at the moment. You have to pick wisely even if you are not comfortable with the system at that specific franchise, you are better off letting talent shine.

Besides guys who can't get a game, I'm also looking at someone like Burl and thinking he has to go to a franchise where he can bat much higher up the order and bowl a lot more. That's if he wants to be seen as more than a big hitter of course. There is a place for him in the test team if he puts his mind to it

Look forward. The ICC might start paying 10k a game for test matches. 5 games a year will be worth a franchise gig if that plan works.

[tawac]

Overcast conditions at MSC it was raining from early morning. Gumbie takes one in the middle session from Akram. Hope he can still have kids perhaps beaten by the movement.

[Googly]

Players need to be more intentional about their approach, batting position and teams they play for. The competition for places is at a record high. If you are struggling to get into the mountaineers side then look for a franchise which has the weakest batting lineup and set up shop there. If your path to the national team is being a wicket keeper then look for a franchise with the weakest options in that department.

The tuskers for example are a good starting point. They have weakened significantly. The Rhinos and Mountaineers are too strong at the moment. You have to pick wisely even if you are not comfortable with the system at that specific franchise, you are better off letting talent shine.

Besides guys who can't get a game, I'm also looking at someone like Burl and thinking he has to go to a franchise where he can bat much higher up the order and bowl a lot more. That's if he wants to be seen as more than a big hitter of course. There is a place for him in the test team if he puts his mind to it

Look forward. The ICC might start paying 10k a game for test matches. 5 games a year will be worth a franchise gig if that plan works.

I heard they were already paying 10k?

[Googly]

Burl is a good example. In which franchise could he not bat higher up the order simply because there are better guys up the order?
If he's not bowling, the better guys up the order in whatever franchise should surely then be in the national side down the order?

[tawac]

The kit being worn by Mountaineers today seems to have had more that a few washes. Just thinking if Gumbie doesnt recover in time who will keep for the Mountaineers. Matt Welch had a bit of a knock during the Pro50 game he wont be 100s will they bring on Magodo?

[Googly]

Welch Jr is another good example. He wants to keep in white ball, but is being denied by Spencer. So are they prepared to lose him next season as a batsman because they won't let him keep his keeping skills going?
I guess the answer is yes, but it doesn't make sense.