The John Ward column

[eugene]

What is going on with Ed Rainsford? Injury problems or has he left cricket?
He got fed up with not getting paid and has taken on another job – selling cellphones, I think, but not certain. He may return sometime, but I wouldn't bet on it.


Do you think Regis Chakabva is good enough to bat at 3 for the test team?
I wouldn't say number 3, not yet. One or two swallows don’t make a summer, but he could be quite close to it.

On second thoughts, perhaps I gave a slightly negative view on Reggie Chakabva – if he continues in good form for the rest of the season, against stronger bowling, I definitely feel he should be considered for the Test team, but probably not number 3 to start with.


Do you think Neville Madziva is ready for international cricket?
He has quite a few good seamers to climb over to get there, but he can also bat with great determination. Certainly he should be looked at and included in the squad, I would say. But he is only medium pace, so he may well struggle at the top level.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Do you think Regis Chakabva is good enough to bat at 3 for the test team?
I wouldn't say number 3, not yet. One or two swallows don’t make a summer, but he could be quite close to it.

On second thoughts, perhaps I gave a slightly negative view on Reggie Chakabva – if he continues in good form for the rest of the season, against stronger bowling, I definitely feel he should be considered for the Test team, but probably not number 3 to start with.

We don't even need to touch 3 and 4 in tests. He has to make his way in at 5 or 6, or as an opener. The opening slots are the easiest way to target coming in, for which he has to open in the Logan Cup and put in those big scores. He looks very much capable of it, technique-wise, but needs some fine tuning of temperament. He should go for it though, and not waste himself at 5 and 6 while playing for Eagles.

[zimfan1]

Couple of questions for John if thats ok...

1) What are the standard of the playing and training facilitates at some of the outer grounds such as Kwekwe Sports Club and Mutare? are the facilities up to standard and has their been any notable improvements since the franchise system started in the late 00's?

2) Which of the new army of left arm spinners have impressed you the most and who has the best chance of national selection in the future?

Thanks Eugene

[eugene]

1) What are the standard of the playing and training facilitates at some of the outer grounds such as Kwekwe Sports Club and Mutare? are the facilities up to standard and has their been any notable improvements since the franchise system started in the late 00's?

In order of merit, they are Kwekwe, Mutare and Masvingo. The first two have good nets and practice facilities. Kwekwe has a reasonable pavilion, while Mutare really needs renovations to theirs but the money is not there. Masvingo came later on the first-class scene than the other two, and again shortage of money has prevented any major developments. The nets need improving and there is no pavilion to speak of, although a large thatched shelter has now been built for the players to use – although it is just that, with the sides open and no ablutions or anything. For the scorers and press, Kwekwe has an elevated box that can be cold when the wind blows, but gives the perfect view right down the pitch. Mutare has also build a box, larger than Kwekwe, but with an awkward view from cow corner. Masvingo has just a small open shelter beyond the square-leg boundary.

2) Which of the new army of left arm spinners have impressed you the most and who has the best chance of national selection in the future?

The ‘new army’ consists of Wellington Masakadza, Mugochi and Munyede; do you have anybody else in mind? Very difficult for me to compare them as I have not seen any of them consistently or faced them, and can only judge on the times I have seen them. Not much really to choose between them, either. Mugochi and Masakadza are good attacking spinners, willing to toss the ball up, while Munyede tends to push it through a bit more. I canvassed opinions around Harare Sports Club, from players, umpires and coaches, and got two votes for Mugochi, two for Munyede (including mine, just from what I’ve seen) and two who just couldn’t decide, although there is also the view that Masakadza may well end up the best of the three! Stephen Mangongo was one who voted for Mugochi and said if he could just have come through a bit earlier, he might be in the national squad already.

It will probably be easier to answer this question at the end of the season, as all three bowlers have enjoyed success against weakened teams. Now they will have to bowl against the national players, which will be more of a test for them, and we will see which of them can hold up best.

[Jemisi]

Great insights

[eugene]

Great insights

Yeah, he always has very useful information that is straight to the point. I often Dean du Plessis way too dramatic and emotive.

[jaybro]

Can we ask John what he thinks about a few of the young quicks who have just hit the scene and who is the quickest bowler in the franchise system ??

Can Taiwanda Mupariwa make the national team again or is he in the same basket as Ed Rainsford and Mark Vermeulan ??

[eugene]

John Ward's reply:

Yes, it’s nice to see some good pace bowlers coming through as well, even though some of the batting they have faced has been pretty weak at times. Wish we had more good young batsmen coming through – that is the main need at the moment because never before this season have I seen so much feeble batting from so-called first-class sides. From what I have seen, Steve Chimhamhiwa looks the quickest and best of the new ones, and he has shown good batting skill and strong temperament as well.



Tawanda is still playing, unlike Ed, and bowling well, so he is certainly on the short list. He is not all that quick, though, which may count against him, but I do rate him as a bowler I would not be at all unhappy to see him play for Zimbabwe again.

[zimfan1]

What's are Johns view on Nick Welch and the talent coming through the school system as a whole?

[eugene]

He has said that most of the batting is rather dire this season and that Nick is one of the few good prospects among young batsmen.