Test Match Squad for Ireland

[CalZim]

The 11 I would go for is:

Gumbie (wk)
Masvaure
Ervine (C)
Bennett
Myers
Williams
Campbell
Masakadza
Ngrava
Muzarabani
Nyauchi

Bench
Chatara
Chivanga
Kaia
Madande

Would like to fit Madande in but I don’t see where, Masakadza is a cert in that squad without Raza, they won’t trust Williams, Bennett and Masvaure to make up the overs for spin (as much as we would like them to). It will be seam friendly conditions perfect for Nyauchi with the new ball.

Actually really excited about our seam bowling attack for this match.

[Donald]

Nice to see that Ervine and Williams are still involved in some capacity.
If Gumbie opens we can bat long gor have extra bowler.

Got no real complaints with that squad. Bennett Myers and Cambpell have all scored big daddy hundreds in logan cup and all have been included

[mnelson68]

The 11 I would go for is:

Gumbie (wk)
Masvaure
Ervine (C)
Bennett
Myers
Williams
Campbell
Masakadza
Ngrava
Muzarabani
Nyauchi

Bench
Chatara
Chivanga
Kaia
Madande

Would like to fit Madande in but I don’t see where, Masakadza is a cert in that squad without Raza, they won’t trust Williams, Bennett and Masvaure to make up the overs for spin (as much as we would like them to). It will be seam friendly conditions perfect for Nyauchi with the new ball.

Actually really excited about our seam bowling attack for this match.

Madande could.open , he has a solid technique for test cricket. That's where I would bat him instead of Masvaure.

[secretzimbo]

Madande has never opened the batting in his life and you are wanting him to open in a Test match on debut in unfamiliar conditions that he has never ever played in before?!?! You must really hate him!!!

Round pegs in round holes please. Especially in Test match cricket.

[secretzimbo]

Roy isn't an opener. It will be Gumbie and Masvaure. I agree with the rest of your picks.

Roy Kaia opened the batting all season for the Rocks, granted not an opener but it might have warranted his selection.

That is a very good point!! He’s probably in as an opener then. I’d so much rather have his brother though.

[secretzimbo]

Surprised to see the squad early (for Zimbabwe standards).

On the whole I think this is a well balanced squad. The 2 interesting selections are Prince Masvaure and Roy Kaia (as others have mentioned).

Roy seems to be popular with selectors for reasons unknown, I value his leadership skills so I’m happy for him to be the A captain but I feel this is a step too far. He is not a bad player though and has a decent amount of experience. He has opened for the Rocks throughout the season, so you never know he could open ahead of Prince

I always liked Prince as an opener, reminded me of Tino Mawoyo being a stalwart at the crease. Last couple of seasons he has faded away though so it is a bit of a shock decision. The other openers that played in the Logan cup include:

Tuskers
Makoni - seems to have dropped off the radar and hasn’t been great for a while
Npofu - late bloomer and always just done enough in the Logan but doesn’t warrant a call up

Rhinos
Curran - Had a better season but still hasn’t performed as high as we initially expected, a good season may push him higher up the list
Masiwe - not in contention
Kaitano - found his mojo again but will have lost the confidence of selectors, he has also stopped opening
Masvaure - doesn’t even open anymore for the Rhinos yet is in the squad as an opener??

Mountaineers
Gumbie - in the squad and rightfully so, hope he keeps as well
Kasuza - didn’t play that much in last Logan riddled with injuries
There were others who trialled opening but did nothing

Rocks
Byrom - the dream that won’t happen
R Kaia - in the squad as an opener? He opened for the rocks this season I wonder….

Eagles
K-long - not a test match opener
M Welch - had a great season and to me should be partnering Gumbie but maybe it is a little too soon.
Masunda - did a decent job for Eagles but not international standard.

Looking at that pool of players, it was either prince and Kaia (experienced route) or Curran and Welch (inexperienced) either way it’s pretty bleak.

Great post in general.

Matt Welch has another bad injury unfortunately. Not playing NPL.

[CalZim]

Great post in general.

Matt Welch has another bad injury unfortunately. Not playing NPL.

Ahh yeah I forgot about his injury

[mnelson68]

Madande has never opened the batting in his life and you are wanting him to open in a Test match on debut in unfamiliar conditions that he has never ever played in before?!?! You must really hate him!!!

Round pegs in round holes please. Especially in Test match cricket.

I rate Madande very highly as you are fully aware , he is a very well organised batsman who would thrive in the longer format. My opinion mate , the ones they are trying at the moment aren't working so why not give him a crack. Sometimes you have to sink or swim

[Pat_Bee]

Roy is the main man, selection thoroughly deserved.

[Jemisi]

Surprised to see the squad early (for Zimbabwe standards).

On the whole I think this is a well balanced squad. The 2 interesting selections are Prince Masvaure and Roy Kaia (as others have mentioned).

Roy seems to be popular with selectors for reasons unknown, I value his leadership skills so I’m happy for him to be the A captain but I feel this is a step too far. He is not a bad player though and has a decent amount of experience. He has opened for the Rocks throughout the season, so you never know he could open ahead of Prince

I always liked Prince as an opener, reminded me of Tino Mawoyo being a stalwart at the crease. Last couple of seasons he has faded away though so it is a bit of a shock decision. The other openers that played in the Logan cup include:

Tuskers
Makoni - seems to have dropped off the radar and hasn’t been great for a while
Npofu - late bloomer and always just done enough in the Logan but doesn’t warrant a call up

Rhinos
Curran - Had a better season but still hasn’t performed as high as we initially expected, a good season may push him higher up the list
Masiwe - not in contention
Kaitano - found his mojo again but will have lost the confidence of selectors, he has also stopped opening
Masvaure - doesn’t even open anymore for the Rhinos yet is in the squad as an opener??

Mountaineers
Gumbie - in the squad and rightfully so, hope he keeps as well
Kasuza - didn’t play that much in last Logan riddled with injuries
There were others who trialled opening but did nothing

Rocks
Byrom - the dream that won’t happen
R Kaia - in the squad as an opener? He opened for the rocks this season I wonder….

Eagles
K-long - not a test match opener
M Welch - had a great season and to me should be partnering Gumbie but maybe it is a little too soon.
Masunda - did a decent job for Eagles but not international standard.

Looking at that pool of players, it was either prince and Kaia (experienced route) or Curran and Welch (inexperienced) either way it’s pretty bleak.

Great post in general.

Matt Welch has another bad injury unfortunately. Not playing NPL.

Yeah, agreed, constructive