Test Opening options

[Jemisi]

I take it the thread has been settled then?

Craig and Raza to open in Tests?

That's unanimous right?

Raza, Taylor, Hami, Ervine, Williams, Regis, Waller. I'd be ok with that.

[pariah]

Raza, Taylor, Hami, Ervine, Williams, Regis, Waller. I'd be ok with that.

Interesting. Just as Hami is at home at 3, Taylor is at home at 4 and would insist on that if he were to come back though.

Of the white bastmen Craig has shown a lot of ability in ODIs after quick wickets, so he could genuinely be tried as Raza's partner considering a Regis at 7 and likelihood of an allrounder at 6, means he would bat 5. I feel he would be a bit of a waste at 5, and I have very little confidence in him as a 2nd innings player, and batting 5-7, you're almost always called upon to deliver there in the 2nd innings (also why Williams' make up discounts him from Tests to be quite frank even though his ton screams "otherwise" ).

Anyway, in his book this is what Butcher said of Craig:

“Craig Ervine had asked for a meeting with me to discuss his position in the batting line-up. As an inexperienced player, he was unsure of his best position and between us we decided that he was most comfortable at six where the state of the game would dictate how he should play. He was much less confident in his ability to shape the game from three or four.”

Butcher also said Allister Campbell overruled him and made Craig bat higher 3/4 I think. Nonethelss, I'm not entirely sure what Craig's preference is right now, but he is the one most likely to be tried opening.

But you can tell from the flat pitches in Zimbabwe, overuse of "spinner-allrounders", and Nathan Waller being sent to SL, that ZIM may have a strategy of two spinners in most games, and those SL lessons mean it will be a proper frontline spinner. So one of those top 7 spots will be filled by that seamer-allrounder so (Raza, Craig, Hami, Taylor, 5???, Mire/Nathan, (Regis(wk), [Cremer, Chatara, Jarvis, Wellington]. That number 5 position will be tightly contested, but the way Musakanda and Chari batted for the development side last year, might mean one of them pipping Williams. Currently I rate Malcolm higher than Williams, but some here think differently.

Overall, I strongly feel Zimbabwe will only go with 5 specialist batsmen, plus a keeper going forward.

[Jemisi]

Aside from Tino, we don't really have a specialist opener. Taylor at 4 and Ervine and Raza opening wouldn't be a disaster. They are our best 7 batsmen at the moment. Pick them all and work out who is the best fit at the top. I don't think N Waller should be near to the side yet.

[Andybligzz]

I think burl needs to be tried and to also give him a run at the top of the order , will add led and right hand combination and we will see if the kid can play the ultimate form or cricket I believe players like him and musakanda have to be persisted with , the talent they have is un real ! Hoping we get Taylor and Jarvis back here would be my test 11 1. Burl 2 . Raza 3 . Hammy 4 . Ervine 5 . Taylor 6. Musakanda 7. Williams 8 . Chakabva ( Wk )9. Cremer ( c ) 10. Chatara 11. Jarvis Only just picked Williams over Waller simply because of his bowling and adds another left handed to the batting lineup which I think can be very important having a lefty and a righty in a partnership ( putting bowlers off there areas ect ) Taylor at 5 as ervine seems to like batting higher up and Raza for me has to open its whats best for the team and he can be the stroke maker and guide young burl as he learns to craft his game. I know people will disagree with me but I just feel this side is pretty evenly balanced maybe lacking one extra bowler but I feel Raza and Williams can support chatara Jarvis and cremer nicely.

[pariah]

I don't think N Waller should be near to the side yet.

Come on Jemisi

You've been a ZIM cricket follower for ages. No white player gets picked for the cricket national team and doesn't eventually play sooner rather than later. Make peace with it. Nathan Waller will play, and it will be inevitable if/when they pick two specialist spinners.

[ZIMDOGGY]

You are right for the wrong reasons.
The white dudes don't hang around for no money so will only be there if in national contention. That's my read. But that's overracializing it

[ZIMDOGGY]

You are right for the wrong reasons.
The white dudes don't hang around for no money so will only be there if in national contention. That's my read. But that's overracializing it

[Mueddie28]

I think burl needs to be tried and to also give him a run at the top of the order , will add led and right hand combination and we will see if the kid can play the ultimate form or cricket I believe players like him and musakanda have to be persisted with , the talent they have is un real ! Hoping we get Taylor and Jarvis back here would be my test 11 1. Burl 2 . Raza 3 . Hammy 4 . Ervine 5 . Taylor 6. Musakanda 7. Williams 8 . Chakabva ( Wk )9. Cremer ( c ) 10. Chatara 11. Jarvis Only just picked Williams over Waller simply because of his bowling and adds another left handed to the batting lineup which I think can be very important having a lefty and a righty in a partnership ( putting bowlers off there areas ect ) Taylor at 5 as ervine seems to like batting higher up and Raza for me has to open its whats best for the team and he can be the stroke maker and guide young burl as he learns to craft his game. I know people will disagree with me but I just feel this side is pretty evenly balanced maybe lacking one extra bowler but I feel Raza and Williams can support chatara Jarvis and cremer nicely.

Hami & Mire did a great job in Sri Lanka
If one is injured or not available Raza should open
Hami & Mire should be opener across all formats
Chibhabha, PJ Moor & Chakabva should fight for the 6 or7 slot in the squad