Zimbabwe v Afghanistan Test Squad

[zimfan1]

Ya Mayavo is going to play. I reckon Mavuta will be at 8 with Joylord and Curran opening

Basically 1 spot available in the batting for Bennett/Campbell or Myers. I personally would pick Myers.

Other question mark is the 3rd pacer. Imagine they will go Gwandu.

[Bulawayo Boy]

How does Nick Welch not make the squad? So much for Raza not making himself available. When was the last time he played any long form cricket?



My XI:

Curran
Gumbie
Ervine
Williams
Campbell
Raza
Bennett
Mavuta
Muzarabani
Ngarava
Chataira

Agreed on Welch. WTH is going on??? Didn't he average 80 odd in the Logan cup? Why won't they pick him?

[Bulawayo Boy]

Well in the mid 90s when I pretty much started watching cricket, Zimbabwe kind of had a similar mindset that we've just got to be competitive or may be at least I thought so... It was a little later may be from 1997 onwards that Zimbabwe started believing in themselves that they can genuinely beat top sides.

It was around 1999 when Zimbabwe hit their peak and that peak continued until 2003, after which it all fell apart due to the mass exodus.

I remember in those days, late 90s ans early 00s, Zimbabwe wickets were hard and bouncy, very seamer friendly and the likes of Heath Steak, Andy Blignaut, etc.really enjoyed bowling on such decks. It was so much fun to watch those games.

I don't know how and why the pitches became slow and turning, that is so much unlike Zimbabwe pitches of the past.

I see people like Zolsky comment on Social Media that the win% during 90s and now is same... What kind of an idiot is that guy? There is absolutely no comparison between the Zimbabwe team of late 90s and the one we are witnessing now... I mean just reading that guys comments makes my blood boil... What an *** ****.

Goat herder Mawoza is a clown. In the 90s we only played associates at World Cups, we were routinely playing pretty much everyone home and away. The old ZCU also survived with far fewer resources - was the entire squad even professional?

Hardly anyone was professional if I recall. Streak was a Hunter, someone else did Safaris (Whittal?), Adam Huckle farmed, so did Eddo Brandes, definitelya few farmed. John Rennie was, I think, a travel agent. One of them was a lawyer - maybe Gavin Rennie, as was Kevin Arnott i think. Can't rightly remember about Campbell - business developmentor something. I think the Flowers were more or less professionals.

Funny story I read, they raised funds to go to the world cup by doing bake sales! I kid you not. Baking cakes. Every week there was a damn bake sale to raise cash for plane tickets.

Anyway, it wasn't like now with millions in support from the ICC with a board full of clowns, hangers on, and Zanu acolytes who haven't a fucking clue and care even less. Judgement day will come eventually for those bastards. Just mark my words. Asad thought he was safe forever too. Tik tock boys. . I'd be scared if I were them.

[Googly]

That's quite interesting. Ya Eddo was the famous Chicken Farmer.
Although there was no money the fact that they had options probably helped with the mental pressure quite a lot.
Most of our guys are batting for their lives or the ones on Central contracts do ok and they know they're getting picked regardless. It's just a weird and unhealthy situation.


I would think back then quite a few other teams were semi-pro as well, meaning that they probably didn't practice 3 hours a day either.
Our national side assembles a week before a game or series but other than that they're in a franchise system that basically requires you to appear for a game. Occasionally they'll have a net or two prior. They do their own training and I guarantee it's not every day, it's way more likely to be 2 or 3 times a week max and that's partly because they're hustling for money, don't even have money for transport, kit and balls, lack a training partner or simply don't give enuf of a shit.

At AC's place you pay, not a lot for a nice facility but you pay nonetheless. So if you're a lowly franchise player who gets paid pittance you pay to get there, you pay to practice, you pay someone to throw, and you just keep paying and they wonder at the standard and the lack of commitment. The chickens are coming home to roost.

[Pat_Bee]

That's quite interesting. Ya Eddo was the famous Chicken Farmer.

Ya I remember back in the 90’s I guess, the English media tearing the ECB a new one for being schooled by chicken farmers thats a lifetime ago now.

[zimfan1]

Rashid Khan to miss the 1st test apparently.

[sam_ahm]

Raza has promised that the team will do well.

[Pat_Bee]

Raza has promised that the team will do well.

he shouldn’t make promises he can’t keep. Smacks of desperation

[Pat_Bee]

Rashid Khan to miss the 1st test apparently.

Need to rotate old guys like him

[Googly]

Raza has promised that the team will do well.

He can't possibly do that. Makes one want to watch their play very carefully.
That last dead rubber against Pakistan....mmmm