SHIT! Zimbabwe lost to Singapore

[Googly]

So you’re claiming the batting line up cost us that game?
So where would you have batted Hamilton and Solly who unfortunately repeatedly failed to deliver and yet are somehow blameless.
Cremer bowled his full ten and was the most economical bowler in the game. Why do you think he would have taken wickets up front when he didn’t when he could grip the ball.
You keep defending ZC when our game lies in a tattered heap and somehow Cremer’s captaincy and Streak’s coaching is to blame yet Hammy’s record losing streak under Rajput and Co escaped your scrutiny? When Ervine, Raza and BT are not around and we get beat by Singapore you claim it was our second string side, when they are around you claim they’re taking up space.
There were attempts to get facts and figures on ZC spending, but you’d need to send in MI5 under cover of darkness to take computers and then get a proper forensic team to assimilate the information for the sake of an argument on this forum. I’ve seen with my own eyes the petty stuff that goes on all the time, and it’s not that petty, it’s significant. There are dozens of us with knowledge of how they do it but without the concrete evidence. Interesting that those same computers miraculously disappeared when there really was a proper chance to take an independent look. Nothing to hide? They’d be in deep shit if we could get our hands on the last ten years of accounts, invoices and receipts, and that’s before you take into account what happened at Metro and the “legacy debt”. Have you forgotten that Bvute has absconded?
Speak to any player you like here privately and they will tell you the disaster that is ZC, ask them to act in unison and they will run a mile. Let’s move on.

[zimbos_05]

You could literally write encores posts for him, he is so predictable now.

Blame BT and KJ for all our faults, despite facts and stats (the very same stats encore uses) proving they have been our best batsman and bowler respectively.

Then, after blaming then, also blame Williams, Raza, and Ervine for not contributing. Williams and Raza are consistently in our top 3 batsmen according to the same stats in all formats behind Taylor. Ervine is usually 4th or 5th.

After that is done, talk about how Zim would be the number 1 team in the world if we just played Hammy, Elton, Vusi and Utseya all the time. Blame the white guys for losses to the lower teams and ignore the fact that the likes of Hammy or Elton did not contribute anything but are blameless because it is not their job to perform and win games.

Now blame the white guys from the 80's who put in all the hard work to develop the game and get us test status, but blame them for the state of cricket today and the miserable job that the current ZC board is doing.

He will never ever admit when any of the black guys do not perform. He will always find an excuse for them. Williams could score a double century in a T20 and he would still find some fault with him or credit the win to Wellington who will have bowled 4 over for 30 runs and 1 wicket, and say something like, "Wellington was spinning it so good that he made their batsmen panic and it was because of his pressure that we won".

[encore]

I think Regis has some potential in T20 Cricket, from what I saw during his explosive 48. Same with Mutombodzi. Clearly an underrated leg spinner and in some of the games he's played of late, he's illustrated how hard he can thump a ball.

Ryan Murray, Carl Mumba and Mashinge need to be playing regularly, end of.

I agree entirely with the bold part. That's common sense.

However, I disagree completely in that Regis and Mutombodzi(and Mutumbami) do not belong in T20Is. ZIM have other options. ODIs yes they are ok, not good, but in the top 4, not lower at that.

We all speak past each other sometimes, but that's because player and succession management is not something everyone here understands professionally, particularly around team balance. eg, can you replace Jacques Kallis? NO, so effectively you'll need two players. You have a budget, and a number fo contracted players to carry you through the season. Money and resources are involved. Be diligent and deliberate.

In ZIM defined roles have been lacking, hence the problems. Hami and Mire left, so openers have to be replaced, except Mire was batting low when he left. So who/what exactly are we replacing? This is why I say this now has to change. I'm not saying bracket players, but International Cricket is the highest form of the game, so have specific roles and suitable candidates filling them.

In Hami I had lot a lot of experience lost. Taylor has moved up one spot, which sorts out my on eopener issue. Except, he's not a blistering batsman. There is Kamunhukamwe, but a reserved batsmen and a youngster who can be tied do is not ideal, unless I drop Taylor down the order which is also not ideal. So I bring back Zhuwao. Kamunhukamwe will be in the squad and get a few games along the way. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series!

Taylor can keep, but I have spinners and medium pacers to stand up to. So I can't afford to be desperate and and turn to him(except in a T20I emergency. Regis and Mutumbami are there? Tests and ODIs they're ok. But definitely not T20I batting material. There is Murray, except he's in school. Let me use Sauramba - he's aggressive, more mature now has played handy knocks plus has potential. Good! Solved. Give it a few Series.

Elton is there(but not bowling). Which of Jongwe or Mashinge is best/able to replace him? But hang on, they are both seamer-bowling allrounders not solid batters yet. So no they can't replace him. Instead they should now compete with Chatara, Jarvis, Mumba, Mpofu etc. So I'm forced to fork out a lot to bring in Mire. Good. Solved. But now I've turned Mire into an opener, who's not bowling, and I've got both Elton and Mire??? Anyway Mire is back batting low and bowling, but has now left again. Back to square one. Years and money "wasted". Agreed! Why, you're ranked 15th inT20s and 12/13th in ODIs - with neither Jongwe/Mashinge developed, and Masvaure overweight.

Cremer left. He was a good LOI spinner, and you need good spinners in those formats. My seamers are not world class, so that means two spinners - attacking(Rashid) and defensive(Mujeeb) - which also effectively leaves Madziva out in the cold. So I invest in Mavuta and Wellington. Plus Mavuta can hold a bat and is a big hitter. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series.

I need at least two frontline seamers in LOIs. Neither Jarvis nor Chatara have the pace to develop into complete death bowlers, so I can't afford to have both in the XI, especially if they can't bat. So they compete directly, and I turn to Mumba and Ngarava. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series.

I failed to replace Elton/Mire, so I have an excellent T20I batsman but I'm short a bowler. I can't compromise on the quality of my bowling. Do I have any batsman who is competent enough to bowl spin consistently at this level, since I don't have one who bowls seam? I like Mutombodzi and Burl. Can they do it? No! They'll be taken apart, and are not options if one of my main bowlers is struggles and can't bow at the death. But I do have Milton Shumba, Liam Roche and Wesley Madhevere. They bring the same skill set - spinners who can bat, but are more polished as spinners. The former two already have a lot of u19 experience and have played a few FC games doing very well. But all 3 are not ready, so we arrange preferences for them in a lot more FC first team exposure, plus priority A/XI exposure batting top 6 and no lower than 5th change. We still have Chisoro and he remains Zimbabwe's best option as a spinner who can bat a bit - having won games for ZIM already. Those guys will be ready by the time Chisoro leaves in a season or two. Good. Solved!

Now, I still need batsmen. In Zhuwao and Elton(and Sauramba) only I'm still very very light for T20Is hitting. 3 of my batsmen are all over 30, so I can't afford to bring in another one. Kasuza and Musakanda have delivered in Domestic T20s and Africa Cup. Against top quality bowlers Musakanda may battle to hit from ball one if a Zhuwao falls early, so Kasuza goes in ahead of him.


T20Is: Taylor, Zhuwao, Kasuza, Musakanda, Elton, Sauramba(wk), Chisoro, Mavuta, Mumba, Chatara, Wellington (Kamunhukamwe, Mutombodzi, Ngarava, Roche, Jongwe)

In ODIs Zhuwao might not do, I've got a Championship to impress in so no need for that risk. Taylor is the best batsman remaining so again I can't risk him opening. That's means I've got 2 vacancies to open. Burl and Kamunhukamwe are good fits, and I get a decent left-right combo out of them. Craig can continue to deliver for me from 3, and Taylor my security. Sauramba might comeshort in ODIs, so I turn to Regis and Mutumbami. With Taylor in the middle order and as immobile as Kasuza, Musakanda will keep the scoreboard ticking better. I'm not confident in Chatara lasting 5 days, and I don't have an attacking spinner I can trust to balance run-rate and striking so I yield to control.

ODIs: Burl, Kamunhukamwe, Craig, Taylor, Musakanda, Regis(wk), Chisoro, Mavuta, Mumba, Chatara, Wellington (Kasuza, Roche, Jongwe, Ngarava, Mutumbami(wk))

Hami, Vusi and Mawoyo are no longer options to open for me in Tests.

TESTs: Burl, Moor, Craig, Taylor, Kasuza, Musakanda, Chakabva(wk), Jongwe, Jarvis, Mumba, Wellington (Chari, Roy Kaia, Mashinge, Ndlovu, Ngarava, Mutumbami(wk))

NB: I know some will be swift to note the absence of Raza and Williams. You know I always say Williams is a decent player across all formats, but a 33yr old failure under pressure who will never win ZIM meaningful games. While Raza is poor in T20s, he is a decent ODI player. However, he's not worth investing in as an opener in Tests & ODIs ahead of the youngsters, since he hasn't been doing it anyway, and middle order is needed for younger batsmen.

The key here is to pick and choose whom you want(even Williams and Raza), but factor in everything - role, succession, development, specialisation, balance, contracts etc. Eg you can't be picking and giving an unproven 29 year Jakiel a contract when you have a young competent Mashinge. Or saying Regis is a T20 batsman because he smashed UAE/NEP/SIN so he can open the batting and Kamunhukamwe in reserve. What is the point of having all 3 of Chatara, Madziva and Jarvis who bowl medium in an XI simply because Burl, Williams and Raza cover the spin, then you expect to win a cricket match at this level? Be professional in approach. It has always been known that Mutombodzi can bowl great leg spin, since long back in the West Indies tour in 2013. But Mavuta, at that young age has grown so much that he can genuinely develop into a competent balanced allround LOI & Test spinner.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I think Regis has some potential in T20 Cricket, from what I saw during his explosive 48. Same with Mutombodzi. Clearly an underrated leg spinner and in some of the games he's played of late, he's illustrated how hard he can thump a ball.

Ryan Murray, Carl Mumba and Mashinge need to be playing regularly, end of.

I agree entirely with the bold part. That's common sense.

However, I disagree completely in that Regis and Mutombodzi(and Mutumbami) do not belong in T20Is. ZIM have other options. ODIs yes they are ok, not good, but in the top 4, not lower at that.

We all speak past each other sometimes, but that's because player and succession management is not something everyone here understands professionally, particularly around team balance. eg, can you replace Jacques Kallis? NO, so effectively you'll need two players. You have a budget, and a number fo contracted players to carry you through the season. Money and resources are involved. Be diligent and deliberate.

In ZIM defined roles have been lacking, hence the problems. Hami and Mire left, so openers have to be replaced, except Mire was batting low when he left. So who/what exactly are we replacing? This is why I say this now has to change. I'm not saying bracket players, but International Cricket is the highest form of the game, so have specific roles and suitable candidates filling them.

In Hami I had lot a lot of experience lost. Taylor has moved up one spot, which sorts out my on eopener issue. Except, he's not a blistering batsman. There is Kamunhukamwe, but a reserved batsmen and a youngster who can be tied do is not ideal, unless I drop Taylor down the order which is also not ideal. So I bring back Zhuwao. Kamunhukamwe will be in the squad and get a few games along the way. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series!

Taylor can keep, but I have spinners and medium pacers to stand up to. So I can't afford to be desperate and and turn to him(except in a T20I emergency. Regis and Mutumbami are there? Tests and ODIs they're ok. But definitely not T20I batting material. There is Murray, except he's in school. Let me use Sauramba - he's aggressive, more mature now has played handy knocks plus has potential. Good! Solved. Give it a few Series.

Elton is there(but not bowling). Which of Jongwe or Mashinge is best/able to replace him? But hang on, they are both seamer-bowling allrounders not solid batters yet. So no they can't replace him. Instead they should now compete with Chatara, Jarvis, Mumba, Mpofu etc. So I'm forced to fork out a lot to bring in Mire. Good. Solved. But now I've turned Mire into an opener, who's not bowling, and I've got both Elton and Mire??? Anyway Mire is back batting low and bowling, but has now left again. Back to square one. Years and money "wasted". Agreed! Why, you're ranked 15th inT20s and 12/13th in ODIs - with neither Jongwe/Mashinge developed, and Masvaure overweight.

Cremer left. He was a good LOI spinner, and you need good spinners in those formats. My seamers are not world class, so that means two spinners - attacking(Rashid) and defensive(Mujeeb) - which also effectively leaves Madziva out in the cold. So I invest in Mavuta and Wellington. Plus Mavuta can hold a bat and is a big hitter. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series.

I need at least two frontline seamers in LOIs. Neither Jarvis nor Chatara have the pace to develop into complete death bowlers, so I can't afford to have both in the XI, especially if they can't bat. So they compete directly, and I turn to Mumba and Ngarava. Good. Solved! Give it a few Series.

I failed to replace Elton/Mire, so I have an excellent T20I batsman but I'm short a bowler. I can't compromise on the quality of my bowling. Do I have any batsman who is competent enough to bowl spin consistently at this level, since I don't have one who bowls seam? I like Mutombodzi and Burl. Can they do it? No! They'll be taken apart, and are not options if one of my main bowlers is struggles and can't bow at the death. But I do have Milton Shumba, Liam Roche and Wesley Madhevere. They bring the same skill set - spinners who can bat, but are more polished as spinners. The former two already have a lot of u19 experience and have played a few FC games doing very well. But all 3 are not ready, so we arrange preferences for them in a lot more FC first team exposure, plus priority A/XI exposure batting top 6 and no lower than 5th change. We still have Chisoro and he remains Zimbabwe's best option as a spinner who can bat a bit - having won games for ZIM already. Those guys will be ready by the time Chisoro leaves in a season or two. Good. Solved!

Now, I still need batsmen. In Zhuwao and Elton(and Sauramba) only I'm still very very light for T20Is hitting. 3 of my batsmen are all over 30, so I can't afford to bring in another one. Kasuza and Musakanda have delivered in Domestic T20s and Africa Cup. Against top quality bowlers Musakanda may battle to hit from ball one if a Zhuwao falls early, so Kasuza goes in ahead of him.


T20Is: Taylor, Zhuwao, Kasuza, Musakanda, Elton, Sauramba(wk), Chisoro, Mavuta, Mumba, Chatara, Wellington (Kamunhukamwe, Mutombodzi, Ngarava, Roche, Jongwe)

In ODIs Zhuwao might not do, I've got a Championship to impress in so no need for that risk. Taylor is the best batsman remaining so again I can't risk him opening. That's means I've got 2 vacancies to open. Burl and Kamunhukamwe are good fits, and I get a decent left-right combo out of them. Craig can continue to deliver for me from 3, and Taylor my security. Sauramba might comeshort in ODIs, so I turn to Regis and Mutumbami. With Taylor in the middle order and as immobile as Kasuza, Musakanda will keep the scoreboard ticking better. I'm not confident in Chatara lasting 5 days, and I don't have an attacking spinner I can trust to balance run-rate and striking so I yield to control.

ODIs: Burl, Kamunhukamwe, Craig, Taylor, Musakanda, Regis(wk), Chisoro, Mavuta, Mumba, Chatara, Wellington (Kasuza, Roche, Jongwe, Ngarava, Mutumbami(wk))

Hami, Vusi and Mawoyo are no longer options to open for me in Tests.

TESTs: Burl, Moor, Craig, Taylor, Kasuza, Musakanda, Chakabva(wk), Jongwe, Jarvis, Mumba, Wellington (Chari, Roy Kaia, Mashinge, Ndlovu, Ngarava, Mutumbami(wk))

NB: I know some will be swift to note the absence of Raza and Williams. You know I always say Williams is a decent player across all formats, but a 33yr old failure under pressure who will never win ZIM meaningful games. While Raza is poor in T20s, he is a decent ODI player. However, he's not worth investing in as an opener in Tests & ODIs ahead of the youngsters, since he hasn't been doing it anyway, and middle order is needed for younger batsmen.

The key here is to pick and choose whom you want(even Williams and Raza), but factor in everything - role, succession, development, specialisation, balance, contracts etc. Eg you can't be picking and giving an unproven 29 year Jakiel a contract when you have a young competent Mashinge. Or saying Regis is a T20 batsman because he smashed UAE/NEP/SIN so he can open the batting and Kamunhukamwe in reserve. What is the point of having all 3 of Chatara, Madziva and Jarvis who bowl medium in an XI simply because Burl, Williams and Raza cover the spin, then you expect to win a cricket match at this level? Be professional in approach. It has always been known that Mutombodzi can bowl great leg spin, since long back in the West Indies tour in 2013. But Mavuta, at that young age has grown so much that he can genuinely develop into a competent balanced allround LOI & Test spinner.

Hahaha you’re so good at stirring shit.

[zimbos_05]

Did Williams once steal your parking spot at Borrowdale or something...

[encore]

Hahaha you’re so good at stirring shit.

Actually that's professional advice to people involved in ZIM and you fans. Sooner rather than later I won't even bother.

Use it don't use it's up to you/them.

Works for us(and you guys) - schools, juniors, club, provincial to international.

As poor as West Indies have been and the player turnover, one thing that has saved them is they've never compromised on structure. You'll never see them trying fit in all or 3 of Sammy, Holder, Russell and Pollard into the XI, or dropping a frontline spinner on a spinner's deck because they have Gayle and Samuels or Chase and Brathwaite.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

hhm, you're right. It was disgraceful that we lost to Ireland and Holland. But we started losing to them nearly 10 years ago. Over time we just get worse and worse, and our expectations get lower and lower yet we still fail to reach them.

It's like each time we drop a level, instead of bullying the next rung down we just sink to their level. Actually it's worse than that, because we don't sink to their level - we choke at their level, hence a few years ago we started losing to Afghanistan, and now we lose to UAE and Singapore.

[TapsC]

QUESTION. Are we getting worse or are the other teams getting better? Maybe we just stagnated.

Was it also really a shock to lose to Singapore when we are ranked 15th and they are number 21? Do you guys know Ireland, the UAE, Nepal and Scotland are statistically better t20 teams than us? Afghanistan is at number 7.Nepal number 11.

Not that its anything to be proud of but was it really such a shock? Those numbers tell me we dont play enough T20 cricket to be too shocked.

[TapsC]

The 3 wins againt Afghanistan and Nepal are in fact giving us valuable points

[ZIMDOGGY]

QUESTION. Are we getting worse or are the other teams getting better? Maybe we just stagnated.

What if I put it to you, that is one and the same?

There is a certain train that the cricket world is riding, but we've taken the bus. We are set aside from the cricketing worlds evolutions.