Ireland Tour - Discussion

[secretzimbo]

You’ve gone off on possibly the biggest tangent ever there

[secretzimbo]

Cricket is more popular in Zim than you think. Deep down.

It’s just that most casual fans and observers became disillusioned over the past twenty years And drifted away.

Starting to see people being drawn back to it this past year.

[secretzimbo]

Anyway, my point stands. All the players would prefer to be getting a paycheck in whatever T20 league than playing 3 pointless meaningless T20’s against Ireland.

[jaybro]

The last 6 months we’ve seen lots of positives vibes around Zim Cricket and HSC has been packed with fans. Zimbabweans love a winner (we all do) and it shows with match attendances, if they roll out a 2nd strong side and get beaten easily by Ireland it will erode a lot of the good work that has been done.

I agree with Kriterion, this series is important because it’s at home against an opposition that they could or should beat. Series wins in any format don’t come around too often so imo they should be looking to win the series rather than just write it off as a ‘who cares series’

[secretzimbo]

I agree with Kriterion, this series is important because it’s at home against an opposition that they could or should beat. Series wins in any format don’t come around too often so imo they should be looking to win the series rather than just write it off as a ‘who cares series’

So you think we should be forcing our long-suffering players in their mid 30's that they must play 3 T20Is against Ireland instead of picking up tens of thousands of dollars to play in an overseas league?

That's where this discussion started.

[secretzimbo]

Ireland are letting Tector/Tucker/Stirling/Little skip the T20's because Ireland correctly realises the series is less important and that playing franchise leagues is beneficial to their players both in terms of their cricket and especially financially. And that happy players are important.

[CalZim]

Our squad depth is much stronger than irelands, they are missing a few players for the t20 comps and so are we.

I’m not bothered that the old boys are making a bit of coin playing elsewhere, they are not going be around for ever, what will we do then, panic? No we will crack on with the squad available just like we will against Ireland.

Remember Houghtons quote? He wants 20 players ready to walk into the Zimbabwe XI at any time. That covers player unavailability because of various reasons including t20 comps abroad.

I have every faith we can win this series even if the main players are absent.

[CalZim]

Ireland are letting Tector/Tucker/Stirling/Little skip the T20's because Ireland correctly realises the series is less important and that playing franchise leagues is beneficial to their players both in terms of their cricket and especially financially. And that happy players are important.

Didn’t realise Tector was missing too, will they be able to field 11 players? Their batting lineup without Tector, Tucker and Stirling is very weak. They will heavily be relying on Dockrell for runs. Balbirnie is not a fast run scorer he is more of a plugger.

[Kriterion_BD]

Ireland are letting Tector/Tucker/Stirling/Little skip the T20's because Ireland correctly realises the series is less important and that playing franchise leagues is beneficial to their players both in terms of their cricket and especially financially. And that happy players are important.

To be honest, if players are just skipping the T20s, I really don't care. But thats only because I don't much care for the T20 format. The last world cup though was quite entertaining.

But both teams should play full strength sides for the ODIs given there is a WC qualifier in less than 6 months.

[jaybro]

I agree with Kriterion, this series is important because it’s at home against an opposition that they could or should beat. Series wins in any format don’t come around too often so imo they should be looking to win the series rather than just write it off as a ‘who cares series’

So you think we should be forcing our long-suffering players in their mid 30's that they must play 3 T20Is against Ireland instead of picking up tens of thousands of dollars to play in an overseas league?

That's where this discussion started.

I think long suffering is a bit of a stretch, as you’ve pointed out many times the guys in central deals are paid quite well compared to others in Zimbabwe.

As Kriterion said, if it’s just the t20s then ok I guess I can live with that. But remembering I’m just a fan and my original post I said I was being selfish. I enjoy the few rare times Zimbabwe play cricket every year and I like to see the best players play.