[Series thread] 2011 Stanbic Bank T20

[eugene]

I agree that for the most part Zimbabweans have been bit-part players while the international stars are doing/getting most of the work.

[maehara]

There seem to be proper restrictions on overseas players in the Pro50 & LC, which is as it should be.

For the T20, I really don't care much who they play:
- it's a hit'n'giggle tournament, not a development opportunity. New players should be and are being brought through in the other competitions - call me old-fashioned, but I don't think anyone learns how to play proper cricket through T20. Bowlers especially, they're just lambs to the slaughter.

- it's the one tournament in ZC's calendar that has a hope of making them some money, and the overseas players are part of the draw that lets them sell TV rights to the likes of SuperSport. If it was all / mostly Zim domestic players, they wouldn't be able to do that. It's not making money yet, but it's getting there and once it does that profit can be used to do things like pay for 'A' tours. Assuming Dominus doesn't get it all.

Also bear in mind it's over and done in 10 playing days. Is anyone's career really going to suffer because they had to sit it out in favour of (say) Nel or Tait? I really don't think so...

[foreignfield]

For the T20, I really don't care much who they play:
- it's a hit'n'giggle tournament, not a development opportunity. New players should be and are being brought through in the other competitions - call me old-fashioned, but I don't think anyone learns how to play proper cricket through T20. Bowlers especially, they're just lambs to the slaughter.

You have a valid point there, meahara, as far as proper cricket is concerned. Of course it won't hinder the development of future FC and test cricketers if they don't play in this tournament. But like it not (I'm not a fan), T20 is here to stay and will increasingly become more prominent on the international stage. In the not too distant future we might play more international T20s than ODIs, and our performances there will be taken much more seriously. And where should our future T20I players learn their trade but in the Stanbic series? Add a star player to the county pro who plays in Zim all season, and that's surely enough. It's the Gayles, Taits, and Nannes' that keep the interest high, not the Tom Smiths.

I further believe it's a misconception that T20 requires no skills. Particularly seam bowlers need a whole armoury of variations, yorkers, slower balls, slow bouncers - which can also serve you well in ODIs. Therefore I have no qualms with Jarvis going for plenty: He's proven himself at test level, let him learn the short stuff! The same applies to batters: Sensible batting, the ability to assess conditions and what represents a good total, judging a run-chase, dealing with good bowling at the death ... Why do we want to deprive our youngsters of the experience?

[aydee]

For the T20, I really don't care much who they play:
- it's a hit'n'giggle tournament, not a development opportunity. New players should be and are being brought through in the other competitions - call me old-fashioned, but I don't think anyone learns how to play proper cricket through T20. Bowlers especially, they're just lambs to the slaughter.

You have a valid point there, meahara, as far as proper cricket is concerned. Of course it won't hinder the development of future FC and test cricketers if they don't play in this tournament. But like it not (I'm not a fan), T20 is here to stay and will increasingly become more prominent on the international stage. In the not too distant future we might play more international T20s than ODIs, and our performances there will be taken much more seriously. And where should our future T20I players learn their trade but in the Stanbic series? Add a star player to the county pro who plays in Zim all season, and that's surely enough. It's the Gayles, Taits, and Nannes' that keep the interest high, not the Tom Smiths.

I further believe it's a misconception that T20 requires no skills. Particularly seam bowlers need a whole armoury of variations, yorkers, slower balls, slow bouncers - which can also serve you well in ODIs. Therefore I have no qualms with Jarvis going for plenty: He's proven himself at test level, let him learn the short stuff! The same applies to batters: Sensible batting, the ability to assess conditions and what represents a good total, judging a run-chase, dealing with good bowling at the death ... Why do we want to deprive our youngsters of the experience?

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

[Jemisi]

I didnt say the imports shoudn't be there. I am just concerned about the way the locals are being handled, particularly by Horton.

[betterdays]

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

Actually good as he may be he's only had one good outing so far. The other thing is, of course, we would not be having a go if he were in the Rocks - like we aren't at Nel, because they'd need him - Tuskers don't and he's being given bat a nd ball every game and is not a big box-office attraction. Nel, even if he's been off the scene, has got to be more of an attraction even if less of a cricketer atm.

[foreignfield]

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

I only used him as a cheap example, I should have said "Sam Journeyman", but Tom Smith is just too much of an everyday name to ignore

[Conant]

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

Oh, come on!! That last sentence was a deliberate ploy to make Alex Obanda's name more prominet than the rest and by implication the most hopeless of all buys by the Fanchises.

Have you bothered to look through his stats? The man averages 32 in ODIs and has a strike rate of 94 in limited (high score 79: how many can claim to have scored 80 yet?) T20 internationla which will no doubt increase. Moreever he's a fast bowler and in essence an all rounder. He's played in an African XI, which puts him on par whith the Eltons and Vusis. If I'm not mistaken he's more potential than the former.

Greater than all the other reasons, he's African, and these are precisely the kind of players who need the exposure just as much as Zim needed South Africa back in the days.

Of all unjustified critiscisms of players yet, this one stinks!!

[foreignfield]

The criticism of Tom Smith is a bit harsh, he's a very decent player, as he has demonstrated in the tourney so far. Have a go at the inclusions of Nel or Kent, who aren't even contracted players in SA anymore! Or Obanda.

Oh, come on!! That last sentence was a deliberate ploy to make Alex Obanda's name more prominet than the rest and by implication the most hopeless of all buys by the Fanchises.

Have you bothered to look through his stats? The man averages 32 in ODIs and has a strike rate of 94 in limited (high score 79: how many can claim to have scored 80 yet?) T20 internationla which will no doubt increase. Moreever he's a fast bowler and in essence an all rounder. He's played in an African XI, which puts him on par whith the Eltons and Vusis. If I'm not mistaken he's more potential than the former.

Greater than all the other reasons, he's African, and these are precisely the kind of players who need the exposure just as much as Zim needed South Africa back in the days.

Of all unjustified critiscisms of players yet, this one stinks!!

I agree with you there, Conant. Zim should embrace and support Kenya and Namibia asmuch as possible - but Alex Obanda is not a bowler, never bowled a ball in anger in career, but a promising young batsman none the less.

[shumbat]

match time guys
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