Test Match Squad for Ireland

[totoro]

So we are either stuck with Masvaure or Roy Kaia opening. Taking an injury prone Ngarava into a Test match is risky.

Gumbie
Kaia
Ervine (c)
Williams
Myers
Bennett
Campbell
Madande (wk)
Muzarabani
Nyauchi
Ngarava

[Pat_Bee]

I stand corrected. Didn’t think they played red ball at all.

[secretzimbo]

I stand corrected. Didn’t think they played red ball at all.

It was their first domestic First Class match since 2019 to be fair.

[secretzimbo]

So we are either stuck with Masvaure or Roy Kaia opening. Taking an injury prone Ngarava into a Test match is risky.

Gumbie
Kaia
Ervine (c)
Williams
Myers
Bennett
Campbell
Madande (wk)
Muzarabani
Nyauchi
Ngarava

Roy isn't an opener. It will be Gumbie and Masvaure. I agree with the rest of your picks.

[mnelson68]

No way they will play 8 bats

[secretzimbo]

I hate the 8-3 thing but to be fair in these conditions and considering the squad we’ve picked we should go for it on this occasion.

I would have preferred a seam all rounder at 8 but we have failed to select any. We probably won’t need a specialist spinner in Ireland but I guess have to assess the pitch on arrival.

Most likely go with the 8-3.

Although Madande at 8 in Tests is a bit silly. He’s quite a classy stroke maker in this format. Would be better higher up.

[Kriterion_BD]

Super stoked for this match. The timing is a bit problematic for me...but I've gotten plenty of sleep the past few months so I should be able to cope.

It should be a rivetting Test. I like the plethora of young players selected by ZIM + Ervine/Williams to give the perfect blend of rookies and veterans for ZIM's transition to the next era. Lot of Tests scheduled in the next 12 months, and even if only half of them end up being played, Zimbabwe will be playing three times as many Tests as they normally play in that period. ZC need to ensure they are playing 5-6 Tests a year every year though...not just 10 Tests one year and then 2 for the next 3 years after that.

[Kriterion_BD]

At least these boys play Logan Cup and Ireland play nothing. Expecting a win.

Ireland firm favorites here. Zimbabwe's track record in Europe in general and Ireland in particular is quite average.

[CalZim]

Surprised to see the squad early (for Zimbabwe standards).

On the whole I think this is a well balanced squad. The 2 interesting selections are Prince Masvaure and Roy Kaia (as others have mentioned).

Roy seems to be popular with selectors for reasons unknown, I value his leadership skills so I’m happy for him to be the A captain but I feel this is a step too far. He is not a bad player though and has a decent amount of experience. He has opened for the Rocks throughout the season, so you never know he could open ahead of Prince

I always liked Prince as an opener, reminded me of Tino Mawoyo being a stalwart at the crease. Last couple of seasons he has faded away though so it is a bit of a shock decision. The other openers that played in the Logan cup include:

Tuskers
Makoni - seems to have dropped off the radar and hasn’t been great for a while
Npofu - late bloomer and always just done enough in the Logan but doesn’t warrant a call up

Rhinos
Curran - Had a better season but still hasn’t performed as high as we initially expected, a good season may push him higher up the list
Masiwe - not in contention
Kaitano - found his mojo again but will have lost the confidence of selectors, he has also stopped opening
Masvaure - doesn’t even open anymore for the Rhinos yet is in the squad as an opener??

Mountaineers
Gumbie - in the squad and rightfully so, hope he keeps as well
Kasuza - didn’t play that much in last Logan riddled with injuries
There were others who trialled opening but did nothing

Rocks
Byrom - the dream that won’t happen
R Kaia - in the squad as an opener? He opened for the rocks this season I wonder….

Eagles
K-long - not a test match opener
M Welch - had a great season and to me should be partnering Gumbie but maybe it is a little too soon.
Masunda - did a decent job for Eagles but not international standard.

Looking at that pool of players, it was either prince and Kaia (experienced route) or Curran and Welch (inexperienced) either way it’s pretty bleak.

[CalZim]

Roy isn't an opener. It will be Gumbie and Masvaure. I agree with the rest of your picks.

Roy Kaia opened the batting all season for the Rocks, granted not an opener but it might have warranted his selection.