There remains a semblance of order&continuity amidst chaos

[hhm]

Contrary to blind assumption, of which I’ve been guilty of, when you look at recent selections from post under-19s, through to the franchises and the New Zealand A tour not too long ago, one can see that there is a semblance of order and continuity which has been maintained by the selectors at national and domestic levels and that’s encouraging. That of course does not imply that there wasn’t already evidence of this being the case, right from the Vermeulen-Nkala group through to the Williams-Chibhabha group, but admittedly the majority from the latter generation groups were forced onto the higher levels of the system, as opposed to growing into it out of merit. Therein lies the difference in the challenge and opportunities the current crop are faced with, in that they have the right platform from which to develop and stand out as deserving a 1stTeam Logan Cup appearance and ultimately national recognition in our now well-functioning system. Some guys were not shortlisted for junior World Cup teams due to limited opportunities and various other reasons, but are now coming through the system. It should be expected therefore, that henceforth, the players feeding through this stable setup should be of a higher quality – well coached and experienced - primed to deliver better at international level and at a faster rate. I’ve pointed out before that I fear the opposite will be true, but still hold to the hope that my fears will be allayed with time.

Excluding the well-known or more prominent players who have featured, whether deserving or undeserving at senior national team level, a selection from various generations of those showing early and sustained promise for me so far, reveals the following players:
SEAMERS:Mike Chinouya, Trevor Garwe, Taurai Muzarabani, Donald Tiripano
SPINNERS:Natsai Mushangwe, Simon Mugava, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Timecyn Maruma
ALL-ROUNDERS:Mark Mbofana, Prince Masvaure, Nathan Waller
WICKET-KEEPERS:Richmond Mutumbami
Chinouya really impressed me during the previous Twenty20 competition. He struck me as a focused and aggressive bowler, but looked rough around the edges at the time. Maruma is the odd one out since he has had exposure at international level, but worth a mention considering his young age. Despite small signs that he is still a worthy operator, he has certainly slipped far behind the impressive army of spinners. I cannot vouch for the truth in that he’s been leading the Mountaineers, ahead of the likes of Hamilton and Tino, but that is a plus for him. As you know I do not rate spinning all-rounders in Test cricket, so my observation is restricted to the seamers. Of the lot Mbofana seems putting his hand up the highest. Mutumbani stands alone when assessing wicketkeepers. Taibu has often ceded the glove-work to him when they’ve both featured in the Rocks side, which is great, and I certainly hope Richmond takes his wicket-keeping seriously as that can be his tiny window to recognition. My only concern, however, is that there are no notable upcoming batsmen who have displayed an ability to open the innings.

LATEST ROUND OF LOGAN CUP
With the champions out of action the Rhinos, just as I feared, proved that they are a worthy adversary. Chamu continues to show that he takes the longer version of the game seriously, but unless some form of injury is preventing him, he should have no excuse for not bowling. Had Panyangara bowled more than 11 overs, Rhinos might not have reached that imposing total of 500, if so then surely at the cost of far more than just four wickets. I certainly hope nothing's wrong with him. The absence of Taibu, Vitori, Ebrahim?, and the still to be explained unavailability of Vermeulen is hurting the Rocks, so it’s unfair to condemn them to the tag of whipping boys. In harmony with what was pointed out in the other post, it was and still is too early to relegate experienced campaigners like Mahwire to the dusbin. As the Rocks are slowly finding out, we do not yet have that luxury and their youngsters have no one to guide them.

Gary Ballance carried over his County season form, and after his recent showings for us, Vusi can be forgiven for not converting his start. Malcom Waller took me by surprise, so I will postpone judgement, but then again while Craig Ervine let his guard down, someone had to maintain Mutizwa’s frustrations. Despite modest returns, Rainsford’s worth as a new-ball bowler remains undented, while Chinouya and Mugava vindicated our confidence in them. Ian Nicholson would do well to remember that if you snooze, you lose coz this fast bowlers’ bus ain’t waiting for nobody (no prizes for guessing who inspired that bit).

Garwe and Jarvis took the new ball in the previous innings, but perhaps out of desperation and aware that they had set a gettable total, the personally disappointing Matsi opened with Jarvis AND PRICE in the second innings. However, Mawoyo’s new found resolve, and Mlambo no doubt learning feeding off him, would have none of that towards end of the day's play. Both batsmen were on nil after 4 overs, while Price and Jarvis went off with a couple of maidens apiece for their pains. That unfortunately did not set the tone for the chase the following day, as the Mountaineers, as did the Rocks before them, gifted the underpar-overfunded Eagles another undeserved victory. Tino lived up to his average self, while more was definitely expected from the man who singlehandedly carries the Mountaineers over the line each time - Hamilton. His failures definitely made the difference. Right now you cannot fault his brother Shingi with anything, and Tiripano deserves commendation for providing a good supporting role. Liam Dawson, like many before him, has really brought value to our First Class competition, and while his century was not out of the ordinary, his 7/51 was, but should not be looked upon with suspicion or as an indicator of the quality of our Logan Cup.

Although his knock was brilliant, Raza showed how not to bat in this format, further proving how much more time he needs to develop and have the right temperament. After an unconvincing first innings, Mutizwa did what he does best, and I suppose the same could be said about Elton. Elevating him up the order second time around yielded still nothing. I was however, glad to see that he pretty much took the new ball in the second innings unlike second change in the first, especially considering how important it is for our national team bowlers to form part of the opening pair in domestic cricket. I made a bold or expected prediction that Jarvis (and Vitori) would finish behind a lot of the senior and more experienced bowlers in our domestic setup for wickets taken, and it appears I’m right on the money. Nathan Waller was unable to repeat his form with bat and ball, but I remain persuaded about him.

The number of LBW decisions was excessive. After that shocker by 'leading' black umpire Owen Chirombe, to dismiss Hamilton after being molested by Mushfiqur, I am to a little extent made to question the standard of our umpiring altogether. Whatever the case might be, the DRS system - Hawkeye in particular, could be of much benefit in First Class cricket. Seeing that the ICC has not committed to funding it and left it to Associates, it remains a pipedream for poor Full Members such as our own, so the thought of it playing a role in FC cricket should remain just that.

It appears the B league will begin much later, but the part that’s missing in our system is an efficient Inter-provincial Club structure, which is needed to fill the gap between High School and First Class Cricket. In my humble opinion, it would be wiser to allocate those funds towards establishing and maintaining the various Clubs and Club Leagues as opposed to the planned Franchise B League.

SO WHAT IS THIS CHAOS?
That entirely depends on whether one believes it is there, if not it soon shall. I only hope that I am not misunderstood. Whilst acknowledging the implications of the unfavourable conditions which prevailed for a period, progress has been and continues to be made, and racial integration has been embraced. No doubt everyone is entitled to how they want to live their life and undertake their careers and means of sustenance, but that white players continue to side-line national responsibilities while chasing uncertainties to represent other nations is unbearable and unforgivable.

Credit should be given to the likes of Taylor, Waller and Craig Ervine, while exception can also be made towards the likes Sean Ervine who are a little bit older now and probably have family commitments. But what of Ireland, Ballance, de Grandhomme and Cameron? Were it not for selection to represent Zimbabwean junior teams would they be where they are now? I strongly doubt it. Yet they 'raped' the system to their personal benefit.

It’s not to say that their black peers are/were inferior, for the majority delivered better performances and achieved greater recognition in those junior tournaments. What dictated the course of fortune was colour, contacts and status in life. On the one hand one has the talent, means and knows the right people, while being of the right colour to fit into the English cricket system (which in itself is not at all dominated by black people of British descent), while on the other hand one has talent and nothing else! All of this evokes the desire for a strict preference to develop and expose black players, since they will bear with what lies ahead for their nation. Perhaps a clause should be included stating that all players black or white, who represent Zimbabwe at U19 level, and sign up for any franchise in domestic cricket, will never be allowed to enter into any contract which puts any cricket commitments outside of this country ahead of national commitments.

In that case it will be evident that any individual or individual’s parents who refuse that kind of arrangement has selfish or insincere objectives and thus does not deserve the time and effort which will be invested in him under the banner of Zimbabwe. A lot of people take it for granted that they have grown out of a cricketing nation which is a Full Member and that brings along many benefits which should be maintained or improved upon to ensure that future generations can benefit as well. I just wonder how many of the whites who played in the 2008 and 2010 under 19 World Cups who will in the next 5 years be creating similar dilemas despite having little significant to complain about. If the bone of contention is about money or contracts then it must also mean that the black players(and some of the white players) who are still here must have a far much lower view of themselves and their worth in comparison. Keep in mind that the Irish have no Test status, and the Saffers have plenty of quality to throw around while England has little apparently!

LASTLY, PERHAPS WE SHOULDN’T BE LOOKING SO FAR INTO THE HORIZON
On the other hand we should be looking over our shoulders. After the beating we received from 75% capacity mid-table team Pakistan, after we ourselves beat a lethargic glorified First Class equivalent - Bangladesh, it is evident we now know how much progress was really made. A quick glance over the UAE batting card, in their current I-Cup match against the formidable Afghanistan, whom I tip to progress swiftly themselves, makes for interesting reading. With UAE armed with infrastructure and financial resources, they are well placed to be a forced to be reckoned with. And of course there’s always Ireland. I think the New Zealand tour has just taken on greater significance as a measure of just how much work and progress was really made!

TEAM UPDATES
TEST:Duffin, Hamilton, Vusi(vc), Taylor, Waller, Taibu(wk), Ewing(c), Price, Elton, Panyangara, Mpofu
ODI:Taylor, Hamilton, Vusi(vc), Coventry, Taibu(wk), Ewing(c), Elton, Cremer, Jarvis, Rainsford, Mpofu
T20I:Taylor, Raza, Vusi(c), Coventry(wk), Waller, Chibhabha, Elton, Butterworth, Meth,Dabengwa, Jarvis,
FC-Zim XI:Vermeulen, Mawoyo, Mutizwa, Ervine, Lamb(c),Chakabva(wk), Meth, Cremer, Shingi , Chatara, Jarvis
ListA-ZimXI:Vermeulen, Mawoyo, Chibhabha, Ervine(c), Waller, Chakabva(wk), Vitori , Utseya, Panyangara , Ncube, Mushangwe

[eugene]

I don't think signing people up to contracts at Under-19 level will change anything. If they want to leave Zimbabwe at a later date they will still leave. All ZC will be able to do is ban them from ever playing for Zimbabwe again which is a moot point because the player by leaving has clearly stated they are not interested in playing for Zimbabwe anyway. Also, many black players have deserted Zimbabwean cricket over the last decade, it is just that many of them haven't deserted us for other cricket teams, they just left cricket altogether - still an equal waste of Zimbabwean cricket resources.

The issue of money is a difficult one. Some of the black players come from extremely poor backgrounds so just being given clothes and equipment and being fed seems like a pretty good deal. The fact that they get paid on top of that is an added bonus. Many of the white players however come from the real world where an international sportsman gets paid a competitive rate - the current cricketers in Zimbabwe are not paid all that well by international standards, even though they are paid extremely well by Zimbabwean standards.

[ZIMDOGGY]

While I won't deny that there would be a sizeabke chunk of blacks that originate from the ghetto throughout the system..... I was always under the belief that the far majority of cricket blacks were from well to do middle class families.
They all attended the same schools as the white dudes. Hamilton and Elton are upper class kinda names... And done players like pommie mbangwa if you heard them spoke, they sound white as white can be.

Am I wrong? Have the demographics changed?

[hhm]

You're quite right Zimdoggy! Most of the top black players went to top private schools and are upper middle class, so it can be expected that their families should be in a better position to fund their migration to greener pastures so to speak. But I think the majority benefitted from scholarships. Fact is they are black and don't have an uncle called Houghton or relatives of British descent hence an EU passport! However, cricket is growing from a niche to a mass sport so it can be said that many players from less privilged families or lesser schools are finding thier way into the system.

Yes Eugene, some blacks have deserted or faded away from the system e.g Matambanadzo, Watambwa and perhaps Mwayengwa. But Ruswa is coming back. Right Tinashe? I think you misunderstood me there. It would be improper and injust to prevent white/balck players from playing County/club cricket. What I meant was whatever contract they enter into with that county side should not prevent them from playing for Zimbabwe and representing any other country should be written off. If the requirement or demands of that particular contract with the county side, mean they are not good enough to qualify as an overseas player and so miss out, then tough! Play franchise cricket and international cricket for Zimbabwe. That's where you were made! Point is whenever you are called up for national duty there should be no hindrance.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

I don't think signing people up to contracts at Under-19 level will change anything. If they want to leave Zimbabwe at a later date they will still leave. All ZC will be able to do is ban them from ever playing for Zimbabwe again which is a moot point because the player by leaving has clearly stated they are not interested in playing for Zimbabwe anyway. Also, many black players have deserted Zimbabwean cricket over the last decade, it is just that many of them haven't deserted us for other cricket teams, they just left cricket altogether - still an equal waste of Zimbabwean cricket resources.

The issue of money is a difficult one. Some of the black players come from extremely poor backgrounds so just being given clothes and equipment and being fed seems like a pretty good deal. The fact that they get paid on top of that is an added bonus. Many of the white players however come from the real world where an international sportsman gets paid a competitive rate - the current cricketers in Zimbabwe are not paid all that well by international standards, even though they are paid extremely well by Zimbabwean standards.

The IPL and Champions League will help a bit, I think, in keeping Zimbabwean players in Zimbabwe because huge sums of money are within reach. It will be easier for a player to get noticed by IPL teams by performing well in a Test, ODI or Twenty20 International than it would be by scoring a few runs in the county championship. If ZC could get a team into the Champions League then I think you'd find a fair few younger players sticking around. When you've got a 1/5 shot of playing the CLT20 every year by playing in Zim, some players might not think going and playing overseas is worth it. Domestic cricket could be just as lucrative as international cricket.

[FlowerPower]

Again a good blog, if I have one criticism (one that applies to me too), is avoid the verbosity (this is said in a good way), you may lose readers as only serious readers will go through such a long post. Maybe break it down into 3 or 4 posts with different threads (you have a number of issues covered in this one already). Aside that good post, will be taking up the usual devil's advocacy shortly to a few of your isssues!

[FlowerPower]

Can't disagree much with the names that you put forward as talent coming through.

Logan Cup:

Jarvis and Vitori to fall behind more experienced bowlers, it's barely past round one, and to be fair Vitori hasn't even bowled a single ball to say they will fall behind is a bit presumptive, unless I have misread you and this is still a bold prediction, in which case you can only be spot on especially in the Vitori case...he hasn't played yet, maybe we should reserve this to say after a few more rounds?

Vusi can be "can be forgiven for not converting his start" but Mawoyo "lived up to his average self". For me to expect objectivity from you when it comes to Tino, is let's say "not likely". But to be fair he has been lacklustre in the first few innings he's had, but to be fair so have a few of our incumbents, Vusi, Hami, and Chigs (well more a norm these days), so why Tino should be branded and the others "forgiven"?

Can't say much about the umpiring, but share your concerns about the lbw's but benefit of doubt, without seeing them I will refrain from ruling them, maybe ZC should drive at having Tiffen and the other more experienced to stand with the upcoming. And I am a bit uneasy about labeling umpires black or white, why not just say inexperienced (black or white)...at the end of the day its their decisions that matter not their colour.

TEST:

Don't see anything special Duffin has done to dislodge Mawoyo (and I dont think Duffin is a bad player). Hami's problems have come when he's had to open, Vusi and Mawoyo for me are just fine, except if by some miracle Ballance were to do an about turn, then drop Vusi to 3, Taylor at 4 and get Hami/Waller/Mutizwa/Ewing fighting for 5 Taibu at 6, the losers of spot 5 can fill the number 7 slot. As for the bowling Price and Mpofu pick themselves (experience) the other spots I would gladly give to Vitori and Jarvis, but willing to entertain Meth, and seeing as you are picking Chigs as a bowler I would say Meth is a better bowler, I would also base my team on the surface they are to bowl on (horses for courses something we can afford these days) I would look at Creamer, Lamb for the slower tracks as an alternative to a pace attack...but all this is subjective, I'm sure others will agree with your line up and disagree with mine.


ODI:

Happy with the batting line up somewhat. Not convinced about Ewing, would drop Coventry to 6 and stick Waller or Mutizwa or Ervine once he's back on song at 4 at Ewing's experience. Bowling is about right for fast tracks, maybe Vitori for Rainsford (nothing wrong with Rainsford but I rate Vitori higher), would change it for the slower pitches, have Utseya for Vitori, Meth for Chigs (better control) and variation on nonresponsive pitches.

T20I:

Anything will do, really don't care much about the "hit and giggle" game..but yeah just about right

CHAOS

I will address in a separate post..

[aydee]

I don't think signing people up to contracts at Under-19 level will change anything. If they want to leave Zimbabwe at a later date they will still leave. All ZC will be able to do is ban them from ever playing for Zimbabwe again which is a moot point because the player by leaving has clearly stated they are not interested in playing for Zimbabwe anyway. Also, many black players have deserted Zimbabwean cricket over the last decade, it is just that many of them haven't deserted us for other cricket teams, they just left cricket altogether - still an equal waste of Zimbabwean cricket resources.

The issue of money is a difficult one. Some of the black players come from extremely poor backgrounds so just being given clothes and equipment and being fed seems like a pretty good deal. The fact that they get paid on top of that is an added bonus. Many of the white players however come from the real world where an international sportsman gets paid a competitive rate - the current cricketers in Zimbabwe are not paid all that well by international standards, even though they are paid extremely well by Zimbabwean standards.

The IPL and Champions League will help a bit, I think, in keeping Zimbabwean players in Zimbabwe because huge sums of money are within reach. It will be easier for a player to get noticed by IPL teams by performing well in a Test, ODI or Twenty20 International than it would be by scoring a few runs in the county championship. If ZC could get a team into the Champions League then I think you'd find a fair few younger players sticking around. When you've got a 1/5 shot of playing the CLT20 every year by playing in Zim, some players might not think going and playing overseas is worth it. Domestic cricket could be just as lucrative as international cricket.

Whilst I think it would be great for Zim (and Bangladesh & Pakistan) sides to be involved in the CLT20, I just can't see it happening. The Mash Eagles would add precisely 0 monetary value to the competition, giving BCCI, CA & CSA absolutely no incentive to include them.

I think we shoudl start a petition to the CLT20 to include a Zim side in the qualifying round in future. On top of the advantages that you have mentioned above, it would be excellent experience for franchise players to play abroad, in a much more high profile and pressurised environment. I can only see positives...

[FlowerPower]

The percieved chaos

I am not sure you or I have the right to forgive or not forgive a person for " side-lin(ing) national responsibilities". And I don't think this applies to just cricket but a spectrum of professional pursuits. Assuming your profile info is correct, you are in Joburg, as I am. I hate discussing issues on racial levels, and will desist from guessing if you are black or white (or neither for that matter), and say as a Zimbabwean, you have chosen to find opportunities elsewhere, but if you are in Joburg for other reasons, then you are the exception that makes the rule, but more likely the former than the latter. So to place yourself as an "unforgiver" I think is a bit rich coming from you or I. Asking people to put country first and stay the race from the comfort of Sandton, or wherever in Joburg you are based is, forgive the pun, "out of touch". Again this is not said in a bad way, but just to contextualise what you ask of these kids who abandon country for county.

Secondly Panyangara played club cricket overseas, Chigs had a stint in county. But granted, being white and having British ancestry and connections does help, but if you had the talent and these connections would you not use them? Its easy to criticise but I am sure this would be a poser for you too if you were cast in the same role.

I think it would be eutopian to expect the white players you listed as having abandoned the course, to "give up the opportunity", because "our black counterparts don't have the same opportunities". Noble but unlikely. Trust me the same maligned black players would have done the same had the roles been switched. Its unfortunately economics and opportunity. Don't get me wrong I think the opportunities for white players are there, and quotas seem a thing of the past, but the economic opportunities simply aren't there, and anyone with an alternative, will in their right mind take it. It would be nice to know if indeed the Taylors, Craig Ervines, Duffins, i.e. the ones who stayed the course were ever offered the opportunities to go abroad and if they turned them down, why? I'd love to think it was patriotism but have very little confidence it was.

As for making 17 and 18 year olds signing contracts to bind them for ever to ZC, I think it is drastic. A bit like anyone who went to a school in the country's borders can never be given clearance to pursue opportunities in Joburg (or anywhere for that matter). And yes "any individual or individual’s parents who refuse that kind of arrangement has selfish" but never "insincere objectives". Everyone is selfish and has to be to a degree, its human nature, but does that make them insincere? I argue "no" not necessarily the two can co-exist.

You may think I am totally against what you are raising, but nothing could be further from the truth. I hate the talent drain, as much as anyone on this forum. I anguish at the thought of where we would be, had Ervine Snr, Ballance, Cameron (ODI), Goodwin been in our team (the others you list I feel we could afford to lose at a national level, but they would also vastly improve the FC scene). I don't think we would have roled over when the Pakistanis came through. So I get where you are comming from. We agree its a problem, but I would suggest we don't understand the reasons why its happening from the same viewpoint. I also believe our approach to solution is not the same either. I tend to feel you are adressing symptoms and not problems. I believe the exodus is a symptom and not a root cause. So taking away their right to leave does not solve the problem, which to me is the sustainability, opportunity (economic), and stature. I definitely think if we can address these then we should be fine. How? I don't know, drum up corporate support? Chanel ICC funding straight to players? I don't know but as long as Zim has admin problems = less recognition by its own players as they leave, which leads to being uncompetitive, -> to less people wanting to see us ->less likelyhood of making money from tours and TVright -> to where we started. Then taking away their passports solves nothing.

I know I knocked you suggestion without much of an alternative, but I think we can't solve a problem without defining it, and I hope my 2 cents gives some light to the problem hopefully that leads to us journeying towards a solution.

PS Agree with eugene, except when he says some black players will play for food and clothes, others have addressed this above, but on the whole agree, its largely a money issue.

[FlowerPower]

Yes Eugene, some blacks have deserted or faded away from the system e.g Matambanadzo, Watambwa and perhaps Mwayengwa. But Ruswa is coming back. Right Tinashe? I think you misunderstood me there. It would be improper and injust to prevent white/balck players from playing County/club cricket. What I meant was whatever contract they enter into with that county side should not prevent them from playing for Zimbabwe and representing any other country should be written off. If the requirement or demands of that particular contract with the county side, mean they are not good enough to qualify as an overseas player and so miss out, then tough! Play franchise cricket and international cricket for Zimbabwe. That's where you were made! Point is whenever you are called up for national duty there should be no hindrance.

He who pays the piper calls the tune and the counties/clubs pay better so it works that way round...unfortunately!