[Match Thread] Logan Cup & Pro50: Tuskers v Rocks

[Ming]

And Mutumbami has now scored 200 over the two innings of this match. What a class act! We really need to make sure we hang on to him at all costs, as he has a big future in the Zim setup...

[Jemisi]

Go Richmond. Hopefully Musoko can keep hanging in to set 300+ for Tuskers.

[jaybro]

And Mutumbami has now scored 200 over the two innings of this match. What a class act! We really need to make sure we hang on to him at all costs, as he has a big future in the Zim setup...

I think he needs to be apart of all squads we pick we need him around the national setup as much as possible even if he doesn't make the lineup every match in the ODI & t20 just having him around will help his progression, let's face it he is probably a better batsman then Maruma and possibly Waller $ Raza so having him as the backup batsman in the limited overs squad won't hurt us at all .....

At a time where we don't have many young players pushing for selection apart from Richmond so I think Zimbabwe need to invest in this guy as much as we can .....

I feel he could be as good if not better then Taibu ....

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Agree on the Mutumbami sentiments... he has come along quite quickly (more than I expected; I thought Chakabva was a safer choice as Test keeper however long ago it was but clearly the exposure has helped Mutumbami's game) and it's good to see him dominating this weakened Logan Cup bowler pool.

What do you guys think is the best Test XI we have? I'm surprised to see some people think Williams is not in it, but I guess on the plus side there is a fair bit of competition for places given that there's not enough room for all of Williams, Waller, Chigumbura, Raza and Chakabva.

I reckon...

1. Mawoyo
2. Sibanda
3. H Masakadza
4. Taylor (c)
5. Williams
6. Waller
7. Mutumbami (wk)
8. S Masakadza
9. Utseya
10. Vitori
11. Chatara

With Raza hot on the heels of Sibanda and Waller, in that order.

And Panyangara unlucky given his bowling performances against Pakistan. But given there's no Meth or Cremer on the scene right now, S Masakadza gives us that extra batting option. It's a tough call though, because Panyangara I guess offers a more defensive alternative to the more attacking Vitori and Chatara.

Given there's no Cremer, Utseya is the clear Test spinner. I don't think I've ever seen him spin the ball in a limited overs match, but to his credit in the recent Test matches he's played come day 3/4/5 he was getting it to turn as much as I'd expect any orthodox off-spinner to (ie. someone like Nathan Lyon).

I think overall it's a pretty balanced team. Plenty of quality seam options, Utseya to hold up an end and Williams to bowl a few of his left arm orthodox if required. Plus Hammy's seam-up partnership breakers. The only question mark is no defensive seam option (like a Meth or Mpofu, who can don't necessarily have the pace but can hit a line and length)... but if you were to place Panyangara instead of S Masakadza I don't think it would raise too many eyebrows.

[foreignfield]

The unbeaten ton takes Richie's average over the last couple of seasons up to 54.78. Well played!

[jaybro]

I've actually been thinking it might be worth trying Vusi in the middle order although I've always felt very strongly against it I just think we need to get the best out of him and he just doesn't seem to be able to play freely when he opens. It would just be a trial type thing but I think it's worth a shot but this leaves us with the dilemma of who to open with Mawoyo. Now there aren't many options but the two I'd look at are Mark Vermeulan or Regis Chakabva, I would pick Mark the guy averages 37 in 1st class cricket and has a lot of experience but since he never figures in selection these days so that leaves Regis who I was hopeing would kick on after his 240 this year .....

I think Pro complemented our seamers well against Pakistan but I'd rather go for Mushangwe I was really impressed very time I see him bowl ......

1.T.Mawoyo
2.R.Chakabva / M.Vermeulan
3.H.Masakadza
4.B.Taylor
5.V.Sibanda
6.S.Williams
7.R.Mutumbami
8.S.Masakadza / T.Panyangara
9.N.Mushangwe
10.B.Vitori
11.T.Chatara

I know it's unfair to change a winning team so I wouldn't mind if they picked the same team but I think it's great we have options ......

[brmtaylor.com admin]

What about Raza opening?

[jaybro]

What about Raza opening?

I feel his technique will not stand the test of Test cricket I feel he is more suited to batting 5 or 6 with his counter attacking style pretty much the same as Chigs .....

I'm thinking ahead to the RSA series I reckon Raza would become Steyn's new 'Hafeez' if he was exposed to the new ball .....

[Jemisi]

I like that XI BRM. I'd cope with Natsai for Utseya or Chigs for Waller.

[eugene]

I am surprised to not see PJ Moor in any of these XIs.