Test Opening options
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:41 am
Finding quality Test Match Openers has always been a struggle for Zimbabwe and they have a history of putting in guys who aren't ready or suited to opening in there to do the job. Since Zimbabwe's return to test cricket they've used 9 different players in the opening position in 19 Tests with barely any success, only Tino Mawoyo has scored a century in this time. Lets look at the options for the next Test against Wet Indies in October -
- Hamilton Masakadza: Opened in the last test match but hasn't really had any success opening in tests, has been most productive batting @3. Hami has the best technique to take on the new ball in all formats IMO and he's had success in the limited overs format batting there so I feel if given time he would also succeed in the longer format. Dis-regarding stats for a moment Hami is the best player of fast bowling we have atm and seems to enjoy the ball coming on to his bat seems to be troubled more so by spin rather than pace. I understand if Hami is moved back to 3 as he's had good success there but with a side stacked with middle order players it may be best for the team for him to open again.
-Tino Mawoyo: The pros & cons for Tino are long and balanced either side, 'To Tino or Not to Tino' is a polarising question amongst Zimbabwe supporters and likely selectors as well. He seems to be selected when you least expect it and dropped when you think he's safe. Every Pro comes with a Con for picking him, such as his success in Test Cricket opening scoring that magnificent 163* v Pakistan ( but that was 6 years ago ), He's also scored 3 fifties and although the last was 4 years ago he has shown as recently as last year he can still 'see off the new ball' with some gritty innings last season ( but in all 6 innings he got a start but couldn't pass 50. Is this good enough or do we need more? ) Tino has shown toughness and determination to get behind the new ball but his fitness is an issue also his domestic form has been average as well. How long can the selectors pick him for past International performances?
- Regis Chakabva: Has opened in 5 innings with not much success but has a great technique and opened in the last Test. All his success has come batting 5 and below and bats there predominately for the Eagles. Also made to keep in the last test surely this was a once off? Although he did say when asked about the dual role that 'it was no big deal' and 'he was fit enough to do it'. Great attitude but I can't see this being a successful long term solution so Streak & Taibu need to decide if Regis is an opener or keeper? His keeping is very hot & cold his missed chances on the final day in Sri Lanka really hurt.
- Brian Chari: Looks like he could be a long term solution at the top of the order although after 5 tests so far he has an average of 14 & passed 50 just the once. His first class average of 22 is also concerning and he had a modest Logan Cup but he has done pretty well when given the chance for Zim A. Seems to struggle with the step up to test cricket but definitely a player of the future, needs to work on leaving the ball early in his innings.
- Chamu Chibhabha: There's 2 Chamu's the one who looks as comfortable and assured as any Zimbabwe player facing pace whilst the other has no idea against spin and seems likely to get out any ball. It's a real shame because the way he plays the new ball combined with the fact he's an outstanding fielder and bowls very useful medium pacers he could be a very valuable player. But his struggles against spin are too great for him to be effective in test cricket and I can't see him being successful unless he can remedy that.
- Ryan Burl: Not a natural opener and is more suited to the middle order but with the Zimbabwe middle order being stacked at the moment and Burl's first class average being 44 opening may be the way to get him into the side. Seems a natural 3 IMO but like many Zimbos before him he may be forced to open to force his way into the side. I feel he could be successful there.
- Solomon Mire: Bit of a smokey but has some merits since he has done so well opening in ODI's for Zimbabwe. Before people dismiss this idea due to his aggressive approach & defence being his afterthought I ask you to remember if you thought David Warner or Dilshan would be successful opening in tests?? I remember with Warner most had tagged him as a limited overs slogger and not fit for tests, but as history has shown his quick starts & positive approach have been a major factor in Australia's recent success. The attacking fields in test cricket would also suit Mire's boundary hitting ability. Worth a shot at some point IMO.
- Vusi Sibanda: Has opened a lot for Zimbabwe with minimal success but his strength of facing fast bowling and experience opening in ODI's has him usually in the conversation. Seems to be out of the picture at the moment and has batted in the middle order for the Goats last season with limited success. Really struggles against spin & with the side having a solid middle order I can't see Vusi returning any time soon unless he has a really good season for the Goats.
- Sikander Raza: Has opened in 3 tests for Zimbabwe and scored 3 fifties, but opening in Bangladesh isn't the same as opening in Harare against Gabriel, Joseph & Holder. Also Raza has had recent success playing in the middle and is our best player of spin and is a good worker of the ball so he's more suited to the middle order. If we needed to move a middle order player up he'd be the guy before Williams or Ervine.
- Kevin Kasuza: Hit the domestic scene running and looked a bright prospect but then went 5 or so years without hitting a 100. Now after topping the Logan Cup run scoring charts with 446 runs @ 44 maybe he's ready for a test call up? First Class average of 30 is ok but concerning he's only scored 2 centuries. Can't say I've seen him play at all since the Under 19's WC a while back.
They're the serious contenders IMO and as we can see no real standout contender. For what it's worth I'd have Hami & Tino opening because I feel they're the best two blokes to see off the new ball we have. If they want to move Hami back to 3 I wouldn't complain as he's done very well there but I just don't know who would be best else to pick. Maybe Burl and Tino with Hami @3?
- Hamilton Masakadza: Opened in the last test match but hasn't really had any success opening in tests, has been most productive batting @3. Hami has the best technique to take on the new ball in all formats IMO and he's had success in the limited overs format batting there so I feel if given time he would also succeed in the longer format. Dis-regarding stats for a moment Hami is the best player of fast bowling we have atm and seems to enjoy the ball coming on to his bat seems to be troubled more so by spin rather than pace. I understand if Hami is moved back to 3 as he's had good success there but with a side stacked with middle order players it may be best for the team for him to open again.
-Tino Mawoyo: The pros & cons for Tino are long and balanced either side, 'To Tino or Not to Tino' is a polarising question amongst Zimbabwe supporters and likely selectors as well. He seems to be selected when you least expect it and dropped when you think he's safe. Every Pro comes with a Con for picking him, such as his success in Test Cricket opening scoring that magnificent 163* v Pakistan ( but that was 6 years ago ), He's also scored 3 fifties and although the last was 4 years ago he has shown as recently as last year he can still 'see off the new ball' with some gritty innings last season ( but in all 6 innings he got a start but couldn't pass 50. Is this good enough or do we need more? ) Tino has shown toughness and determination to get behind the new ball but his fitness is an issue also his domestic form has been average as well. How long can the selectors pick him for past International performances?
- Regis Chakabva: Has opened in 5 innings with not much success but has a great technique and opened in the last Test. All his success has come batting 5 and below and bats there predominately for the Eagles. Also made to keep in the last test surely this was a once off? Although he did say when asked about the dual role that 'it was no big deal' and 'he was fit enough to do it'. Great attitude but I can't see this being a successful long term solution so Streak & Taibu need to decide if Regis is an opener or keeper? His keeping is very hot & cold his missed chances on the final day in Sri Lanka really hurt.
- Brian Chari: Looks like he could be a long term solution at the top of the order although after 5 tests so far he has an average of 14 & passed 50 just the once. His first class average of 22 is also concerning and he had a modest Logan Cup but he has done pretty well when given the chance for Zim A. Seems to struggle with the step up to test cricket but definitely a player of the future, needs to work on leaving the ball early in his innings.
- Chamu Chibhabha: There's 2 Chamu's the one who looks as comfortable and assured as any Zimbabwe player facing pace whilst the other has no idea against spin and seems likely to get out any ball. It's a real shame because the way he plays the new ball combined with the fact he's an outstanding fielder and bowls very useful medium pacers he could be a very valuable player. But his struggles against spin are too great for him to be effective in test cricket and I can't see him being successful unless he can remedy that.
- Ryan Burl: Not a natural opener and is more suited to the middle order but with the Zimbabwe middle order being stacked at the moment and Burl's first class average being 44 opening may be the way to get him into the side. Seems a natural 3 IMO but like many Zimbos before him he may be forced to open to force his way into the side. I feel he could be successful there.
- Solomon Mire: Bit of a smokey but has some merits since he has done so well opening in ODI's for Zimbabwe. Before people dismiss this idea due to his aggressive approach & defence being his afterthought I ask you to remember if you thought David Warner or Dilshan would be successful opening in tests?? I remember with Warner most had tagged him as a limited overs slogger and not fit for tests, but as history has shown his quick starts & positive approach have been a major factor in Australia's recent success. The attacking fields in test cricket would also suit Mire's boundary hitting ability. Worth a shot at some point IMO.
- Vusi Sibanda: Has opened a lot for Zimbabwe with minimal success but his strength of facing fast bowling and experience opening in ODI's has him usually in the conversation. Seems to be out of the picture at the moment and has batted in the middle order for the Goats last season with limited success. Really struggles against spin & with the side having a solid middle order I can't see Vusi returning any time soon unless he has a really good season for the Goats.
- Sikander Raza: Has opened in 3 tests for Zimbabwe and scored 3 fifties, but opening in Bangladesh isn't the same as opening in Harare against Gabriel, Joseph & Holder. Also Raza has had recent success playing in the middle and is our best player of spin and is a good worker of the ball so he's more suited to the middle order. If we needed to move a middle order player up he'd be the guy before Williams or Ervine.
- Kevin Kasuza: Hit the domestic scene running and looked a bright prospect but then went 5 or so years without hitting a 100. Now after topping the Logan Cup run scoring charts with 446 runs @ 44 maybe he's ready for a test call up? First Class average of 30 is ok but concerning he's only scored 2 centuries. Can't say I've seen him play at all since the Under 19's WC a while back.
They're the serious contenders IMO and as we can see no real standout contender. For what it's worth I'd have Hami & Tino opening because I feel they're the best two blokes to see off the new ball we have. If they want to move Hami back to 3 I wouldn't complain as he's done very well there but I just don't know who would be best else to pick. Maybe Burl and Tino with Hami @3?
