Ireland Tour - Discussion

[Kriterion_BD]

Whether they should or shouldn’t, they don’t.

Well then there really isn't any point to playing international cricket.

[Jemisi]

It's Ireland not Uganda.

We could be a few blokes down against Uganda or Kenya. But we have to beat Ireland at home.

[Kriterion_BD]

And its Super League which I understand is a moot tournament now, but still.

And the criticism is equally levied against Irish or Afghan players who skip international series for T20 gigs. You've got to put a high price on representing your nation.

[CalZim]

It's Ireland not Uganda.

We could be a few blokes down against Uganda or Kenya. But we have to beat Ireland at home.

Even then the gap between sides is not as big as it used to be.

Uganda is a bad example, if we played them now it would be a really tough series. The thought of facing that bowling attack is terrifying, I’d pick a couple of those guys in the Zimbabwe team. Frank Nsugba at 42 is better than our available spinners.

Even Kenya has Vraj Patel who is one of the best spinners in Africa at the minute, much better than what we have available.

The worst thing you can do is write teams off because of their current status/ rankings. International cricket is becoming a lot more balanced (hence our drop in the rankings over recent years).

The problem is we look down on Ireland the exact same way the big teams look down on us. Even Afghanistan don’t want to play us anymore. It’s really shit and cricket needs to move forward.

[secretzimbo]

If it’s a choice between a healthy payday playing overseas or playing a few meaningless matches against Ireland?

Some of our guys aren’t far off retiring and life is hard here. Let them get their paydays if they want.

None of them grew up dreaming of playing against Paddy and Dermot from Ireland.

It’s wrong and I dislike attitudes like that in cricket, but it is what it is.

Ireland have 3 or 4 players missing the series to play T20 gigs and if we stop our guys from doing so all that will happen is they’ll be annoyed and player discontent could resurface.

[secretzimbo]

Just do the same as Ireland have. Make them come back for the ODIs but honestly who cares about three random T20s with no context?

[secretzimbo]

Associates are improving and I really like Uganda, but it’s a very big stretch to suggest any of their players would get anywhere near even a second string Zim side.

There’s probably only one or two of them that would even be competitive in a local Logan Cup side here. when we have our domestic T20 in April when all the proper overseas have gone back home, we should invite some Kenyans/Namibians/Ugandans as it would be an interesting experiment at least. They’d probably do okay in T20s.

[TapsC2]

And its Super League which I understand is a moot tournament now, but still.

And the criticism is equally levied against Irish or Afghan players who skip international series for T20 gigs. You've got to put a high price on representing your nation.

The Super League matches were already played in 2021. There is absolutely nothing on the line.

Thing is for a guy like Sean Williams you have to keep him happy otherwise he will retire. These T20 gigs plus a T10 payday might just be what's keeping him around. Never underestimate that.

The Irish are doing the exact same thing. That says it all. Especially for those T20s. It's a meaningless tour.

[Jemisi]

What tour has meaning then?

We are playing a peer nation at home in Summer. If we don't beat them we will all think that means something.

So will other nations.

[CalZim]

Associates are improving and I really like Uganda, but it’s a very big stretch to suggest any of their players would get anywhere near even a second string Zim side.

There’s probably only one or two of them that would even be competitive in a local Logan Cup side here. when we have our domestic T20 in April when all the proper overseas have gone back home, we should invite some Kenyans/Namibians/Ugandans as it would be an interesting experiment at least. They’d probably do okay in T20s.

I think when you see Uganda in the t20 qualifiers you may change your opinion. Below are 3 players that I would possibly consider in the Zimbabwe team or around the team:

Simon ssesazi - Opener, healthy average and has performed well against the better associates. He hit a couple of 50s in a series against Namibia. Yet to play any of the big sides but I’m sure he would surprise a few. I would love to see his ability in the Logan cup, he has great technique. We are crying out for an opener like this.

Riazat Ali Shah - he is basically their Raza (not as good though obviously). Can hit the long ball for fun and is a very hand pace bowling allrounder. Has also played in a couple of international leagues. I would pick him ahead of Evans or Jongwe any day.

Cosmas Kyewuta - just wait till you see him bowl in the qualifiers. Guy is only 20 yet he has serious pace and swings it round corners. Not 100% consistent yet but he is a serious talent. Would love see him tear apart batsmen in the Logan cup

Maybe it is a stretch as the standard they have played is different, but I’m sure with their class they would pick it up. In terms of spin I was joking about Frank Nsugba but I honestly think he is better than the majority of our spin attack.

I watch all African cricket, not just Zimbabwe, most is streamed somewhere nowadays. I don’t just look at performances as anybody can bash a minnow that hasn’t played much cricket, I look at technique and temperament.

Also you have heard it here first that Vraj Patel (Kenya) is going to be the next Sandeep Lamichane and will be playing international leagues soon. He is seriously good and only 20. Kenya have played tours against some of the stronger affiliates recently (Nepal) and he has been unplayable. He has a bowling average in t20 cricket of 9!

Hell I’d even have irfan Karim the Kenya wicket keeper in our XI if Chakabva is no longer playing ODI average of 48 and that was 8 years ago when he was 22. Still playing quality cricket in t20is and keeping Kenya afloat (pardon the pun )