[Match Thread] Vice Chancellor’s XI v Zimbabwe - Tour Match

[brmtaylor.com admin]

A few good performances. Sibanda the stand out obviously, honourable mentions to Jarvis and Chakabva. Overall though, not a comprehensive enough win. The one international standard batsman, Sarwan, scored heavily. Against a team of nobodies, we still conceded 270 odd. Really should have bowled that side out for less than 200.

Still not convinced about Mawoyo as an ODI opener. But if Tino Mawoyo has taught us anything, it's that we should never write him off.

So here's my XI for the first ODI:

1. Mawoyo
2. Sibanda
3. Masakadza
4. Taylor
5. Waller
6. Chakabva
7. Meth
8. Utseya
9. Jarvis
10. Chatara
11. Mpofu

Mushangwe for Meth if it's a turner, but Meth does offer a bit more with the bat and I think we need a genuine fifth bowling option.

[hhm]

1Mawoyo, 2Sibanda, 3Masakadza, 4Taylor, 5Chibhabha, 6Chakabva(wk), 7Mutombodzi, 8Utseya, 9Mushangwe, 10Mpofu, 11Chatara

- We need all our spinners, so all three make my team.
- Chibhabha edges Craig&Waller since he can fill in to complement the small seam attack.
- Mpofu is our best seamer. My only available spot goes to Chatara.

Strategy:
1-10: Mpofu(5)&Chatara(5)
11-35: Utseya(5),Mutombodzi(10),Mushangwe(10)
35-40(Or Powerplay): Utseya(3), Mpofu(2)
41-50:Utseya(2), Chatara(5), Mpofu(3)

- Spinners must hurry the WI batsmen
- Part-timers(Hami, Taylor, Chibhabha) should not be bowled outside overs 16-35

NB: I really don't know why Meth was selected. Him and Jarvis have the worst economies of Zimbabwe's seamers. They are the reason why we need to risk part-timers, when they are supposed to bowl 10 decent overs in this format. Jarvis will fetch heavily at the death, while it's suicidal to bowl Meth there. Both of the can easily fetch 100 if they share the last 8 overs, so it's pointless expecting a good 3-4 overs out of 10, when this is not T20. Who will do the rest of the job they are supposed to complete?

We've tried Meth against Bangladesh and NZ, and they smashed him with great ease. He definitely won't fill his 10 overs without killing the team's remote chances of victory. The same can be said of Jarvis! When this tour ends, we really need to know who was responsible for that Meth call! Shingi should've been there. At least his ten expensive overs would've brought wickets. Coaches and selectors never learn from recent history!

[aydee]

I worry about the number 7 spot. I don't think think that any of Meth, Utseya and Mutombodzi are good enough to bat there. None of these would fill you with any confidence at all coming in at 100-5 after 30, or even 200-5 after 43 looking to push on... Chigumbura is definitely a better bat than these 3, and whilst they are all possibly more reliable options with the ball, any gap is less pronounced in this discipline. Hypothetical anyway, thanks to Makoni et al.

After they took the new ball in the warm up, I would expect that Jarvis and Meth will take it tomorrow as well. The attack will then probably be completed by Mpofu, Utseya and Mushangwe.

If they are worried by the batting, then they could play Chibhabha (probably instead of Mushangwe) and look to him, Masakadza and Waller to make up the 5th bowler. This would lengthen the batting, but I think I prefer the first alternative overall. I'm not in favour of relying on part-timers for so many overs, and you need to hope that your top 6 can score the bulk of your runs. If they fail to the extent that you need a specialist bat (Chibhabha or Chakabva) at 7, then you have probably lost the game anyway.

[zimfan1]

Another question is who is going to keep wicket

1. Sibanda
2. Chibabbha
3. Masakadza
4. Taylor (wk)
5. Ervine
6. Waller
7. Chakabva
8. Utseya
9. Mushangwe
10. Jarvis
11. Mpofu

For me the two selection dilemers are picking 2 of Mawayo/Chibabbha/ Chakabva and 1 of Mpofu/Meth/Chitara

I think we need two out and out spinners in the lineup as West Indian pitches are spinning these days, hopefully we can muster 10 overs between Waller, Masakadza and Chibabbha

[FlowerPower]

It's great that our side posted a good total, however, our focus should be on the bowling.

Meth & Jarvis went ok up front, while the spinners(and even Chamu&Waller) did a decent job, slowing down things later. The was all against weaker batsmen, so more was expected against teenagers, batsmen with no List A/FC experience to speak of who are more worried about their studies.

Clearly, Mpofu & Chatara are the ones who bowled when Sarwan had played himself in, and that's what we should zero in on. It's worrying that he got on top of them rather easily, but the real concern is that he's the least in form WI batsman, and far from their best ODI batsman right now.

If our boys are going this badly against the current Sarwan, then tought times are ahead of them!

I suppose this is where you need the vicious Vitori deliveries, or Shingi's striking abilities, but neither made the trip. A neat five for in five overs was up for grabs!

At the end of the day, 270@5.5 against this lot, is downright poor! We did better against Kenya & Canada in the World Cup. Hope it's all down to jet lag, and the boys will have recovered by tomorrow.

A raere meeting of minds! When did your regain your stolen profile hhm? Amazing was thing along the same lines...our bowling should have done better...

[hhm]

I think we need two out and out spinners in the lineup as West Indian pitches are spinning these days, hopefully we can muster 10 overs between Waller, Masakadza and Chibabbha

First game after a long time in the wilderness, we need to make an impression in order to put ourselves on the front foot for the rest of the series considering that the WI squad isn't their strongest and it's beatable.

With that in mind, we shouldn't go in with part-timers as part of the bowling strategy. We need 5 bowlers who are capable of bowling 10 overs! That'll give us a chance. Throw in part timers and in 10 overs guys live Dwayne, Pollard & Russell can turn this match into a crushing defeat.

WI bowlers are fast, but lack discipline so our top six can get 210, with the tail(bowlers) to add 50 add if called upon, otherwise the top six can do it all by themselves. 260 should be enough.

We know Vusi will be fluid, while Hami will always try and muscle his way. But Taylor is a poor starter and lacks the technique against express pace. Malcolm & Regis & Craig are liabilities. 50 overs is a long time. Our team needs someone to bat around in those conditions, so Mawoyo is our man! Leaving him out would be unwise, we no longer have a Taibu.

Waller has been so pathetic at ODIs&T20s,(including 2 ducks in his sorry Pro50&Twenty20 domestic innings), he must be pinching himself everyday because he can't believe he's part of the squad. Craig may be stronger and hit it longer, but he's been extremely inconsistent, doesn't bowl like Chibhabha, while Chibhabha is aggressive from the word go. The national team selectors want Regis to be involved to we can't throw in a fluid batsmen and hand the gloves to Taylor so in your scenario, we're forced to have a third guy who stands a high chance of flopping.

I don't understand why anyone would pick all three in a side against Narine, Roach & Best! It's not rocket science. If i'm wrong I'll be the first to admit it, but guys under pressure, lacking runs and grateful to be there, unlike a Chamu who is confident and has runs behind him, I don't know. At least you left out Meth!

[totoro]

I would go with:

Vusi Sibanda
Tino Mawoyo (I think Mawoyo needs time at the crease, to build an Innings. Has aggressive batsmen around him to take the pressure off him.)
Hamilton Masakadza
Brendan Taylor (c)
Craig Ervine (Seems to do well on dry pitches, not sure why?)
Regis Chakabva (wk) (Would move down to seven, if we are going well; Otherwise needs to build the Innings or save us after a collapse.)
Chamu Chibhabha (I think he should bat at seven. Gives him the freedom to be aggressive; Seems to get stuck higher-up in the order.)
Prosper Utseya
Natsai Mushangwe
Kyle Jarvis / Tendai Chatara (If Jarvis has a shocker, it might be a good idea to save him for the tests, and give Chatara or Meth a go.)
Chris Mpofu

Waller can come in if Chamu looks out of his depth, taking the same role of hitter down the order, and bowl some part-timers.
I don't think Mutombodzi is ready yet, (Hope I'm wrong) hasn't done that well for the Eagles this season. Will be a very handy player in the future, as his batting & bowling gets better. Maybe throw him in for the last match, if we're getting flogged.

The problem Meth has, is he struggles once the ball doesn't swing as much; Which will happen quicker in the West Indies. He does get movement through the air, but it will be less effective there. They would need to bowl his ten overs in one spell.

[Jemisi]

Vusi
Tino
Hami
Taylor
Ervine
Waller
Meth
Utseya
Mushangwe
Jarvis
Mpofu

[bayhaus]

Chamu Chibhabha (I think he should bat at seven. Gives him the freedom to be aggressive; Seems to get stuck higher-up in the order.)

I like Chibhabha and would also have him bat lower down opening I don't see us getting to 50/0 like with Mawoyo hope he proves me wrong.

[Ming]

Chamu Chibhabha (I think he should bat at seven. Gives him the freedom to be aggressive; Seems to get stuck higher-up in the order.)

I like Chibhabha and would also have him bat lower down opening I don't see us getting to 50/0 like with Mawoyo hope he proves me wrong.

I'd rather include Chamu in the side than Craig.