Netherlands ODI Series - Discussion
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 5:12 am
So the next deployment for national duty will be a home ODI series v the Dutch, which is more important in regard to preparation for the CWCQ later in the year in Zimbabwe, than it is for the Super League points up for grabs. This series also provides the Dutch with some very crucial exposure to Zim conditions, and yet could be a precursor or dress rehearsal for an all important Super 6s clash in June or July.
For Zimbabwe, they're likely to be without Raza, but this could be a a positive for Zim as it gives Dave the chance to try different players and combinations whilst Raza is hopefully learning some tricks off the world's finest at the IPL. It seems as though we should see the majority of the best talent available with Burl back from BPL and the likes of Chatara, Williams & hopefully Blessing fit once again. I did see somewhere that Brad Evans has a hand or wrist in a cast (?) but again this provides a chance to try out someone else, and ultimately we know what Evans can bring to the side.
I'm probably more interested to see what combos Dave tries out, more so than the actual personal. We've been wondering what type of line-up they will actually go with when the crunch games come, but so far Dave hasn't had to make the big-call as of yet, as there always seems to be 2-3 guys out injured. I expected Ballance to come into the top order, as in the top 3, but so far he seems to be taking his 'white privilege' and hiding in the middle order at 4 or 5.
This will provide a selection headache for Dave when he's got all hands on deck with Ervine, Williams, Raza & Burl all locked for spots in the middle order as well. So, the way I see it Dave has the following options to align his batting order -
Option A)
Kaia
Ballance
Ervine
Williams
Raza/ Wes
Burl
Madande
Option A is IMO the best option, this provides Zim with the best quality Top 4 on offer and leaves space for Raza, Burl, and Madande in the middle, and also the room for four front-line bowlers. I also truly believe that Ballance is best suited to bat in the Top 3 in ODIs as he's got a good technique and is more of an accumulator of runs. He seems to struggle to really accelerate his innings with boundaries from the few ODI games I've seen him play for England & Zim.
Options B)
Kaia
*Wicket-keeper
Ervine
Williams
Ballance
Raza
Burl
If they are committed to playing Ballance in the middle order and shuffling Raza & Burl down, they'll need to find a brother to sacrifice at the top, and one that can also keep wicket. I'm not convinced Madande will be a good opener, so this leaves someone like Mutumbami or possibly a return of Regis to open. The other option of course is Marumani, but he's not an accomplished keeper and he's also struggled with the bat at this level. But this series does provide the best chance to try him out in this role.
Options C)
Kaia
Wes/ Chamu
Ervine
Williams
Ballance
Raza
Burl
Madande
If they want to stick Ballance in the middle, but also don't want to have makeshift opener, they could decide to run with Chamu or Wes up top, and play an extra batsman with Madande coming in at No.8. This provides Zim with an extra long batting line-up, but also reduces their front line bowling options leaving them with just the 3 spots remaining. This would put a lot of pressure on the bowling of Raza, Williams, Burl & possibly Wes to make up for at least 20 overs if not more in an innings. I myself would rather see a more conventional 7-4 line-up with an all-rounder at No.8.
The other option is that they just kick this problem down the road a bit and play the conventional 7-4 line-up with Ballance in the middle and a traditional opener up to top, but this still leaves the issue of 'what to do' when Raza returns.
For Zimbabwe, they're likely to be without Raza, but this could be a a positive for Zim as it gives Dave the chance to try different players and combinations whilst Raza is hopefully learning some tricks off the world's finest at the IPL. It seems as though we should see the majority of the best talent available with Burl back from BPL and the likes of Chatara, Williams & hopefully Blessing fit once again. I did see somewhere that Brad Evans has a hand or wrist in a cast (?) but again this provides a chance to try out someone else, and ultimately we know what Evans can bring to the side.
I'm probably more interested to see what combos Dave tries out, more so than the actual personal. We've been wondering what type of line-up they will actually go with when the crunch games come, but so far Dave hasn't had to make the big-call as of yet, as there always seems to be 2-3 guys out injured. I expected Ballance to come into the top order, as in the top 3, but so far he seems to be taking his 'white privilege' and hiding in the middle order at 4 or 5.
This will provide a selection headache for Dave when he's got all hands on deck with Ervine, Williams, Raza & Burl all locked for spots in the middle order as well. So, the way I see it Dave has the following options to align his batting order -
Option A)
Kaia
Ballance
Ervine
Williams
Raza/ Wes
Burl
Madande
Option A is IMO the best option, this provides Zim with the best quality Top 4 on offer and leaves space for Raza, Burl, and Madande in the middle, and also the room for four front-line bowlers. I also truly believe that Ballance is best suited to bat in the Top 3 in ODIs as he's got a good technique and is more of an accumulator of runs. He seems to struggle to really accelerate his innings with boundaries from the few ODI games I've seen him play for England & Zim.
Options B)
Kaia
*Wicket-keeper
Ervine
Williams
Ballance
Raza
Burl
If they are committed to playing Ballance in the middle order and shuffling Raza & Burl down, they'll need to find a brother to sacrifice at the top, and one that can also keep wicket. I'm not convinced Madande will be a good opener, so this leaves someone like Mutumbami or possibly a return of Regis to open. The other option of course is Marumani, but he's not an accomplished keeper and he's also struggled with the bat at this level. But this series does provide the best chance to try him out in this role.
Options C)
Kaia
Wes/ Chamu
Ervine
Williams
Ballance
Raza
Burl
Madande
If they want to stick Ballance in the middle, but also don't want to have makeshift opener, they could decide to run with Chamu or Wes up top, and play an extra batsman with Madande coming in at No.8. This provides Zim with an extra long batting line-up, but also reduces their front line bowling options leaving them with just the 3 spots remaining. This would put a lot of pressure on the bowling of Raza, Williams, Burl & possibly Wes to make up for at least 20 overs if not more in an innings. I myself would rather see a more conventional 7-4 line-up with an all-rounder at No.8.
The other option is that they just kick this problem down the road a bit and play the conventional 7-4 line-up with Ballance in the middle and a traditional opener up to top, but this still leaves the issue of 'what to do' when Raza returns.