The John Ward column

[eugene]

Certainly they didn't play their best, and the reports speak of the usual lack of discipline in batting especially and the poor fielding.

As far as batting is concerned, we don't have many other options. But we do have a lot of bowlers of about the same standard, and need to look at Rainsford and others to see if any of those not tried have the will and temperament to raise their game to international level. Also fielding needs to be a priority, and that should play a major part in deciding between players of similar ability in batting or bowling.

I haven't been happy with Taylor's captaincy in the past, but I don't know of anybody better equipped - I think that is quite a weakness. Masakadza is not a bad captain at franchise level, but when he is performing well below his own best standard with the bat it may not be good to saddle him with that as well."

[jaybro]

great stuff there Eugene can u ask him about Vusi Sibanda ???

why he thinks Vusi hasn't been able to turn all that talent and class into big scores and consistant runs ???

Where he thinks Vusi is best suited to batting opening, 3 or 4 ??

Would he make a good captain ( I dont personally see it but many people say it )

[eugene]

He said this about Vusi:

"I think everyone would like to know why Sibanda has kept failing in international matches! I think quite a bit of it is that like most Zimbabwe players he comes unstuck very easily when the ball moves around - his massive run-scoring season was that where the country was full of flat pitches, leading to a directive that pitches should be prepared to be a bit more bowler-friendly, and he hasn't done nearly as well in domestic cricket since then.

I suspect also some lack of temperament and confidence. He may well do better in the middle order, but Zimbabwe have nobody else to send in first, now they have decided not to let Taylor open.

As a franchise captain, he has done all right as far as the basics are concerned, but is not really inspiring, innovative or imaginative, qualities desperately needed in a national captain these days, but I cannot see anybody around who fits the bill right now. I don't think Zimbabwe has had a really good captain for years, perhaps the last good one being Andy Flower in his second spell, when he had learned the man-management skills he lacked the first time round. Brian Murphy would probably have become a very good one, had circumstances been different."

[jaybro]

yeah didn't think Vusi would be much better than Taylor at captaining the side .....

I think a good captain is usually some one who has alot of experience playing all round the world against the best teams ...... plus they also need a good cricket brain ......

Dont think anyone in the current setup fits the build as none of them play enough against quality teams, that's why I think Zimbabwe need a real tactician for a coach some one who can set up a lot of the plans when bowling, like lines and lengths for bowlers to bowl against certain players plus setting the fields to suit the plans. Also managing the bowlers is another area where I feel Taylor lets himself and the team down I think he bowls the quickies for to big a spells in both formats ....

The ironic thing is some of the best coaches going around in the world these days are actually Zimbabwean .....

[eugene]

"Just a further thought about the lack of good captains in Zimbabwe in recent years - I think the fault mainly stems from the years of the player rebellion, when virtually all the top players pulled out of cricket, leaving the younger players to be promoted ahead of their time, with no wise mentors or old pros on the field with them to teach them to develop a good cricket brain. When the problem was finally resolved after five years, it was too late for almost everybody except Raymond Price to come back, and he wasn't used as captain or often even as a regular member of the Test team, so his contribution was rather limited. So even now we have all our current international players struggling at the game with no wise old pros on the field to help them and hold the side together when it is needed. Though Taylor really has no excuse for his all too predictable and too infrequent bowling changes, for example."

[jaybro]

What does John Ward think or know about Cephas " The Rock " " The Greek " " St Peter " Zhuwao ??

[eugene]

John's reply:

"Cephas is considered a very destructive one-day specialist in Zimbabwe, and he is certainly a very talented hitter. He hasn't done much in first-class cricket even when selected, and I think he suffers from the negativity of so many Zimbabwean coaches who get hold of superb natural hitters like Cephas and Sikandar Raza, and try to turn them into solid batsmen who build long innings - fair enough for most batsmen, but there are some who need to be given free rein and wise guidance in the course of playing their natural attacking game, rather than play in a manner that is not natural for them. I have told Cephas he is the Chris Gayle of Zimbabwe cricket!

I cannot comment on the Under-19 side, as the only one I have seen in action is Cuthbert Musoko, from Southern Rocks - and I was very impressed with him. He is a good seam bowler and could well be pressing for national honours in the next few years if he builds on what he has."

[jaybro]

Lol even John Ward is giving Cephas a nick name haha

Has he been in touch with players lately ?? Any news on the union / boycott ??

[eugene]

He has no knowledge of the player union issue. He is not currently in Zimbabwe at the moment so he doesn't have much on-the-ground info. Perhaps googly knows more?

[foreignfield]

I think he suffers from the negativity of so many Zimbabwean coaches who get hold of superb natural hitters like Cephas and Sikandar Raza, and try to turn them into solid batsmen who build long innings

This mirrors an article by the later Peter Roebuck many, many years ago who wrote that the, at the time, mainly white coaches in Zim where in danger of curbing all the natural flair and talent of the black kids they were in charge of by their strict adherance to the MCC coaching manual.

Bring it on, Cephas!