Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe Thread

[Marshmallow]

Mawoza pushing Newman Nyamhuri to international cricket

[Googly]

I've just listened to Salamander's talk on 3 Mob.

Resting Richie and Blessing so theyre ready for the tests, but we know as a fact they don't really want to play tests. They want to get on the T20 circuit because that's where the money is. They won't be happy about that.
We have to start trying to play more Tests and obviously winning a few. Will Raza play, or does he get a pass? Rules for thee, but not for me. I guess he'll have a say in selections though.

I don't see a point in resting them for the T20's? I mean they have to bowl 2 overs, have a 45 minute rest and bowl another two? ODI's are not that taxing either, but I guess they could miss one or two.

The momentum from our last win is questionable. Pakistan opened with seam from both ends, he's big and ugly enough to know what that meant. That coaching crew must be wondering what they've let themselves in for.

He's also talking about how many games good players took to get their first hundred. Well OK, but how poorly did they do in the interim?
Is he assuming a few of this squad are going to become a Rassie Van Der Dussen or a Williams or a Flower? If he is then ZC have picked the wrong coach, because its unlikely. Maru, Dion and Brian may step up. Brian is the most likely, he looks like he's got the head for the Big League.

He also said we've got 20-22 year olds. Well we have- Myers, Bennett and Marumani. They're all about 22 not 20 and of those 3 two are doing comparatively ok. It's only Dion that has been quiet these last 6 games, but he has got about 150 games to get it right. 120 to go. Let's hope.

[Googly]

Mawoza pushing Newman Nyamhuri to international cricket

Not Mawoza, ZC. He's been bowling poorly of late but he looks ok. Left arm swing is pretty useful though. They make grand statements about performing at domestic level and the next day ignore them.
Bhawa is the one getting direct entry when he gets back.

[secretzimbo]

Raza surely won’t play these tests. Hasn’t played a red ball game for years.

Who is going to keep wicket in the Tests? Madande is injured anyway. Gumbie to open and keep wicket? That’s a bloody tough ask in a Test, especially when he should be concentrating on picking up some form with the bat after a bad run recently. Could drop Gumbie down the order, but he is an opener through and through.

Could bat Marumani at 7. Lots see him as a white ball slogger but he’s a lovely first class batter with a really really good domestic record. Problem is would his keeping hold up for 5 days? Probably not. He’s good behind the stumps most of the time but clearly loses concentration, even in the shorter formats.

[Googly]

Madande being out i would think means we will see Wes.

They've taken the gloves away from Matt Welch at Mountaineers so that cuts one leg off his chances when these guys get thru their 150 games. I'm sure he'd have stayed at Eagles if he'd had a crystal ball and known they were going to hamstring him.

[secretzimbo]

I'm going to guess and think we might see some squads like this. Not necessarily what I would go with. But a combination of what I would do but tempered by what I suspect ZC/Mutendera will do. Maybe I am still having too much faith in him though. He'll probably pick Wes and Faraz for all three formats

Tests:
C Ervine (C), I Kaia, B Curran, J Gumbie, S Williams, A Hamid, B Bennett, D Myers, N Mayavo, B Mavuta, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava, V Nyauchi, T Chatara

ODI:
C Ervine (C), T Marumani, B Curran, T Kaitano, S Williams, S Raza, N Welch, B Bennett, D Myers, W Masakadza, F Akram, T Gwandu, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava

T20I:
S Raza (C), T Marumani, B Bennett, D Myers, J Campbell, W Madhevere, T Musekiwa, R Burl, W Masakadza, T Maposa, N Nyamhuri, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava

[Marshmallow]

According to ZC convenor of selector, a player who below 21/22 year old players will be fastracked to team. By this rule can we see Matt welch in test squad? Also SZ why are you thinking of Hamid ali ahead of Matty welch?

[secretzimbo]

Because they don't seem to like the Welch's. I think they'll throw NW into one format as a token, and keep MW out for now.

Again the above isn't necessarily the squads that I would pick. But what I think they will pick.

[tej_27]

I'm going to guess and think we might see some squads like this. Not necessarily what I would go with. But a combination of what I would do but tempered by what I suspect ZC/Mutendera will do. Maybe I am still having too much faith in him though. He'll probably pick Wes and Faraz for all three formats

Tests:
C Ervine (C), I Kaia, B Curran, J Gumbie, S Williams, A Hamid, B Bennett, D Myers, N Mayavo, B Mavuta, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava, V Nyauchi, T Chatara

ODI:
C Ervine (C), T Marumani, B Curran, T Kaitano, S Williams, S Raza, N Welch, B Bennett, D Myers, W Masakadza, F Akram, T Gwandu, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava

T20I:
S Raza (C), T Marumani, B Bennett, D Myers, J Campbell, W Madhevere, T Musekiwa, R Burl, W Masakadza, T Maposa, N Nyamhuri, B Muzarabani, R Ngarava

In my opinion Jono really deserves to be part of odi team

[secretzimbo]

Ya but they hate him too. They'll keep picking him only for his worst format.