Streak mentions Ed, Mutombodzi for WI; talks about Querl

[CrimsonAvenger]

http://dailynews.co.zw/article/Sport/5e ... 0477d018b9

HARARE - Zimbabwe's bowling coach Heath Streak believes the side has a good mix of pace and spin to trouble the West Indies during next month’s tour of the Caribbean.

The Zimbabwean side will be playing in its first full series in over a year following the disastrous New Year tour of New Zealand last year, where the hosts completed a clean-sweep across all three formats of the game.

And now, Streak is hoping the bowling attack will stand the team in good stead throughout the two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.

“I think we have a good crop of quicks and spinners,” Streak told the Daily News yesterday. “We have good options. It depends with the conditions. If the conditions are seam-friendly, we have the arsenal in (Kyle) Jarvis, (Brian) Vitori, Chris Mpofu and (Ed) Rainsford, who is back in form again. If it’s spin-oriented, we got that as well. We have upcoming spinners like Tino Mutombodzi, who is in the fold, then a guy like Natsayi Mushangwe. We have youngsters who will help your Prices, Utseyas and Cremers.”

The former national side captain also expressed his satisfaction with the pool of talent at the selectors’ disposal, hinting that non-performers from previous assignments face the axe.

“Ja, we have guys who have been pushing and a few who are coming back to form. That can help raise the bar. That’s what is needed. We need to raise competition. We have to reward those who are performing well on the domestic circuit, and hopefully one or two will come and perform well.”

Streak also clarified the issue surrounding the availability of impressive Matabeleland Tuskers seam bowler Glenn Querl, who has played sufficiently well enough over two seasons for the Logan Cup champions, to earn a maiden national team call-up.

Speculation is rife in local cricket circles that 24-year-old Harare-born right-arm medium-fast bowler, who also plays league cricket in the UK, is not keen on an international career with Zimbabwe.

“I think he was in the process of renewing his Zim passport,” Streak said. “I think he is eligible for selection, he just needed to sort out his documents. He also plays for a club in the UK. It’s now up to the selectors and administration people to sort out the admin stuff.

“He’s probably keen; obviously he earns a living playing in the UK. It’s like the soccer players in Europe, it’s a tough one, as long as they earn an income, they will come back to play. Same with Glenn. He wants an assured future. He definitely wants to play for his country.”

Querl, however, has had to live with question marks over the legitimacy of his bowling action.

“He has to undergo tests, but unfortunately there is no one qualified for that in Zim. It’s not a simple thing. You need to go to a sports science institution and gets analysed. It a decision that affects a career, so you got to do it properly.”

Zimbabwe generally struggles in alien conditions, especially at Test level, and Streak is hoping for a change of fortunes, which he says hinges on team consistency.

“Look, I thought we played reasonably well in the home Tests we played since our return,” Streak said.

“We struggled in that away Test (in New Zealand); we didn’t play well at all. Preparations are key, Guys have been playing domestic cricket, which is a good thing. We have to get there and adjust to the conditions in the Caribbean. The West Indies are currently playing good cricket, it won’t be easy. With the return of Chris Gayle, they have a good squad now.

“I think last year we did not get time to acclimatise in New Zealand, I am not making excuses. This time around, one or two injured players are coming back. On the last trip, we missed Chris Mpofu and (Graeme) Cremer, who were very much part of our plans. It affected rhythm.

“Look, when we played well and consistently, we were able to compete. That’s the key thing. When we have not been playing well, we’ve been woeful.

“We need to be consistent.”

[CrimsonAvenger]

“I think we have a good crop of quicks and spinners,” Streak told the Daily News yesterday. “We have good options. It depends with the conditions. If the conditions are seam-friendly, we have the arsenal in (Kyle) Jarvis, (Brian) Vitori, Chris Mpofu and (Ed) Rainsford, who is back in form again.

Clearly, Rainsford's selection must just be a formality now.

We have upcoming spinners like Tino Mutombodzi, who is in the fold, then a guy like Natsayi Mushangwe. We have youngsters who will help your Prices, Utseyas and Cremers.”

So, Mutombodzi has caught the eye big time, getting mentions by Streak and Dean du Plessis.

“I think he was in the process of renewing his Zim passport,” Streak said. “I think he is eligible for selection, he just needed to sort out his documents. He also plays for a club in the UK. It’s now up to the selectors and administration people to sort out the admin stuff.

“He’s probably keen; obviously he earns a living playing in the UK. It’s like the soccer players in Europe, it’s a tough one, as long as they earn an income, they will come back to play. Same with Glenn. He wants an assured future. He definitely wants to play for his country.”

What this means is Querl seems to be available, but it is for him and the Board to sit and decide. Streak pretty much saying that he wouldn't want to get involved.

“He has to undergo tests, but unfortunately there is no one qualified for that in Zim. It’s not a simple thing. You need to go to a sports science institution and gets analysed. It a decision that affects a career, so you got to do it properly.”

This is a huge statement. Streak is unclear of the legitimacy of Querl's bowling action. That could be one reason why he is not showing much interest about his national availability. And it is a shame if he has played with this cloud over him, and has affected the results as much as he has done domestically.Why can't ZC get this cleared with for the benefit of everyone involved?

[hhm]

Clearly, Rainsford's selection must just be a formality now.

So, Mutombodzi has caught the eye big time, getting mentions by Streak and Dean du Plessis.

What this means is Querl seems to be available, but it is for him and the Board to sit and decide. Streak pretty much saying that he wouldn't want to get involved. Streak is unclear of the legitimacy of Querl's bowling action. That could be one reason why he is not showing much interest about his national availability. And it is a shame if he has played with this cloud over him, and has affected the results as much as he has done domestically.Why can't ZC get this cleared with for the benefit of everyone involved?

Someone laughed at my mention of Mutombodzi recently, and yet Dean(who I strongly disagree with about his views on Elton & Waller), made him a certainty ahead of Price(who deputises for Cremer not Mutombodzi)! Personally I'd take him as reward for his all-round performance in the Tri-Series plus decent domestic returns so far. Wouldn't pick him in the XI ahead of Mushangwe though!

I'm happy Rainsford is there. He was never out of form and demonstrated that fact to the coaches during the Pakistan tour but they were too inept to see it. Preferred the massacre Kyle & Brian were subjected to.

The mere presence of those two in his plans, means we've conceded the Test series already. Those two part of an attack against Gayle, D Bravo, Samuels, Chanderpaul is silly, and must be ashamed of himself for continuing to have faith in that duo. Tino Best & Sammy must fancy centuries in this one. I know guys have their views, but I think play time is over and we now have to be serious! Admit it guys, we need all 3 of Mpofu, Rainsford and Panyangara in as the front 3. Otherwise I foresee 650/5 declared by tea on day 2, with Tino, Roach & Narine(resurrecting his Test career) ripping through & bamboozling our top order to secure comfortable innings victories by the 4th day.

In that event Dean entrusts "ugly, no technique, no solidity" Malcom Waller to withstand that pace & spin, and rebuild our innings or attempt a typicalal Elton counter-attack from #6 ! I forgive him, he's blind! Like most here, sentiment is the only reason for coming near the name Williams where Zimbabwe is concerned right now...

In answer to your question CrimsonAvenger, Querl should get sorted in his time and at his expense. First of all ZC is broke and has better uses for its money. Secondly, we have an array of seamers(Chatara, Shingi etc) who've been racking up fanatastic FC stats legitimately for years, and unlike Querl, we have no concerns whatsoever about their actions. Why should ZC waste its time and funds to help someone leapfrog them?

Following the NZ debacle and Bangladesh's impressions here and there we need to tread carefully. Our integrity is at stake. I think guys should seriously think to themselves if Jarvis and Brian sharing the new ball for us will not in the end be the reason why our Test credentials are questioned. Do either of them stand a chance of picking up wickets or helping WI's cause? Neither of them will keep the run rate down that's for sure!

[hhm]

On the last trip, we missed...(Graeme) Cremer, who were very much part of our plans. It affected rhythm.

Was that an imposter in Napier? 2/112 at 5.09rpo suggests so! Cremer must have those Tahir like stats blotted out of his name. Mad Heath! The characters we entrust the fortunes our players to...

[foreignfield]

Good to see Mutombozi's in the picture, if only for ODIs and T20s. If Cremer is out of it I'd go with Price and Tino as the spinning options. But speaking of Cremer, it is worrying that the bowling coach apparently does not know whether he'll be fit (or does not want to tell?).

Rainsford thoroughly deserves his chance. Any news why he did not play this weekend?

[sloandog]

is Mutombozi an exciting prospect ?

[foreignfield]

is Mutombozi an exciting prospect ?

In your money: A young tearaway quick with some T20 tricks up his sleeve and a FC century to his name

Tbh, I haven't actually seen him. But he's been bowling well in ODs and T20s for more than a season in domestic cricket and in the A team triangular while scoring useful runs. I don't think he turns his leg-break for miles, and he hasn't been as penetrative in FC cricket as Mushangwe, so I'd consider him a limited-overs specialist right now.

[ZIMDOGGY]

very telling....

- good to see the quicks who are in the fold. no surprises to be honest,exactly who i would have in the mix. But it does confirm that they are picking on form not rep (mpofu the exception, but he hasnt failed his country in a while so deserves some leftover credit points)

-the spinners...2 new playas mentioned. In my opinion, this means they have lost faith in prosper (he's been shit lately so fair call) and grooming for post price life (imo he will call it in after the '15 world cup....which ive always believed he will).

-Querl.... just as i suspected. The guy WANTS to play for zimbabwe, but the political climate of ZC is holding him back. He is going to sacrifice stability if he comes back. i hope so.... but this is where gross ZC mismanagement is coming under the spotlight. The guy is literally begging to see the evidence he can make a career out of ZC! we just need to catch it and whip of the bails now! in my opinion, he will make himself available after the next upcoming english season if he cant make inroads to england selection...again, a view to playing a world cup (which potentially could be zimbabwes last with the new 10 team structure after that). Once he sorts out hios action of course.

- does anyone have video footage of this guy bowling>? i'd like to judge his action for thyself.

[jimbo]

Craig ervine is going through a bad patch at the moment but stick with him as he still has a first class average of close to 40. Havent seen much of zimbabwe on tv in 2012 but thought he was the only batsman who fronted up to south africa and showed any balls in the 20/20 debacle

[lange22]

This doesn't make sense to me:

“He has to undergo tests, but unfortunately there is no one qualified for that in Zim. It’s not a simple thing. You need to go to a sports science institution and gets analysed. It a decision that affects a career, so you got to do it properly.”

The University of WA in Perth are world leaders in this field and gave Murali's action the all clear in the 2000s after the rules were changed. He had the video analysis with the wires and computer monitoring when he was bowling. How hard would it be to organise this? Surely it would justify the cost, we're talking about a front line bowler for an international team.