what would your world cup 15 man squad be .

[andybligz]

here is mine

1.B.Taylor
2.H.Masakadza
3.S.Williams
4.T.Taibu (wk)
5.G.Flower
6.C.Ervine
7.E.Chigumbura (c)
8.K.Meth
9.G.Cremer
10.R.Price(vc)
11.E.rainsford

12.P.Utseya
13.G.Ballance
14.T.Pyangara
15.C.Chibabha

players that just missed out: G.lamb,S.Matsikenyeri(jokes i would never consider him),T.Chetara,C.Mpofu,I.Nicolson,K.Jarvis,M.Waller

i selected only a few quicks because of the spinning pitches over there, and i believe our spinners are the best in the world at tieing up batsman and then we chase it down with late order hitting during the power plays. Meth is a must in my team and i believe flower has to play because he will keep the order stable as well as being able to bowl some quick overs if required. top 7 looks extremely solid and even match winning. Rainsford will swing the ball and create edges and chnaces, then if chigs is bowling well he can skid them onto the bat whilst the spinners build pressure. with price ,masakdza,flowrer,taibu and even cremer at a extent the team looks quiet experienced now.

[sloandog]

Well my squad would look similar, but i'd go for an extra fast bowler over a spinner.

My squad would be;

1. B.Taylor
2. H.Mazakadza
3. S.Williams
4. T.Taibu (Wkt)
5. G.Flower
6. C.Ervine
7. E.Chigumbura (Skipper)
8. K.Meth
9. G.Cremer
10. K.Jarvis
11. R.Price

T.Chitara
C. Chibhaba
P.Utsea (I'd use this guy as somebody who could hold an end up. I wouldn't use him as an attacking option)
Mark Vermuelan

[Mike]

but i'd go for an extra fast bowler over a spinner.

Why?

The World Cup is in the sub continent and it will spin no doubt. With our army of spinners I think we'll do quite well like we did in the West Indies earlier this year (yes we got beat, but that was mainly because of the rubbish batting by us!)

[eugene]

1. Brendan Taylor
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Sean Williams
4. Grant Flower
5. Tatenda Taibu (w)
6. Craig Ervine
7. Elton Chigumbura (c)
8. Prosper Utseya
9. Graeme Cremer
10. Ray Price
11. Kyle Jarvis

12. Charles Coventry
13. Chamu Chibhabha
14. Keegan Meth
15. Edward Rainsford

[CrimsonAvenger]

Yup, I agree this is the right time to start thinking about this.

Batting order has pretty much sorted itself out, barring may be, the 6th spot in the playing 11.

Here's what my choices for top 5 are at the moment, along with what each of them must do to become more effective:

Hamilton Masakadza - He has to have a little patience early on, if things are not going his way. Once set, he can induce carnage, as we have seen multiple times already.

Brendan Taylor - Needs to be more confident to begin with, and more alert. With his lack of footwork, he might look lazy / timid early on in his knock, especially when the ball hurries on to him, with express pace bowlers operating.

Chamu Chibhabha - Needs to be on top of his confidence levels, as he is these days. One thing the team management needs to do to make sure of this, is NOT to use him as a bowler. We have witnessed the consequences many times before.

Sean Williams - Needs to somehow contribute to winning causes. It may sound ridiculous, but most of his top knocks have come in losing causes, where he has ensured respectbility of the total. Needs to value his wicket a little more, and the management MUST use his bowling abilitles more often.

Tatenda Taibu - People loved the Taibu of 2003 - 2006 because he was an image of determination. You could see it in his eyes. He needs to go back to this state, and put a much higher price tag for his wicket. That is it, and you are looking at a world class player.

Next set later...

[Conant]

Re: what would your world cup 15 man squad be .

1. Brendan Taylor
2. Hamilton Masakadza
3. Chamu Chibhabha
4. Sean Williams
5. Grant Flower
6. Tatenda Taibu (w)
7. Elton Chigumbura (c)
8. Prosper Utseya
9. Shingi Masakadza
10. Ray Price
11. Tinashe Panyangara

12. Craig Ervine
13. Graeme Cremer
14. Keegan Meth
15. Greg Lamb

I think Taylor must altogether bat at no 5; see how well he plays the spinners as opposed to pace. This will allow Chibhabha to open - assuming Taylor and Masakadza put on a good opening partnership Chibhabha, however well he played Botha and Duminy last night, is made largely redundant when he comes on and the spinners are operating.

Tinashe is the real deal. Mark my words.

@ Eugene I don't know how Chibhabha fails to be in your starting line up after yesterday's carnage.

@Crimson, I do believe Taibu role as a batsman have been over exaggerated over the years because of several reasons: mainly his status as a role model for black talented kids such that his abilities as a batter have been drummed up too loudly as well. Henry Olonga was the same.

By all intents and purposes Tibba is a world class keeper who's also a competent batsman, most certainly in the longer format. Gone are the days when we needed him to bat everywhere, like no. 3, opening and so forth, because we have the depth for that now. Even Andy Flower's team wasn't blessed with such talent. (Suddenly even Vusi Sibanda's place doesn't seem guaranteed in Test cricket).

I think he's your no 6 batsman

NB: Can't wait the next set, Crimson

[eugene]

@Conant: Chibhabha made my squad and I certainly believe he should be given a chance. Yesterday however was a T20, not an ODI. I think Chibhabha can be a valuable player as we long as no one lets him bowl. Also Chibhabha is clearly a top order batsmen which means he has to compete with Taylor, Masakadza, and Williams. I feel Taylor is best as an opener, and that Sean Williams (our best batsman) needs to bat at 3.

[CrimsonAvenger]

@Crimson, I do believe Taibu role as a batsman have been over exaggerated over the years because of several reasons: mainly his status as a role model for black talented kids such that his abilities as a batter have been drummed up too loudly as well.

I agree, expectations could have been too high, but the best thing about Taibu of old was, he managed to live up to it, big time. I saw a bit of Steve Waugh kind of dogged ruthless determination in him, and expected a lot out of him. I am sure that is the case with many who watched him play, the lovable kid who held the whole side together all by himself after Streak's departure. But yes, may the expectations were set too high, or may be, the dirty politics of ZC during those times made him lose that zeal forever...

Next set later...

Didn't want to make it a series or anything, just waiting to get some time on my side to complete my list. Also, looking at sure shots to begin with, so that we can discuss and debate the remaining places...

Now the spinners who must be right there without a doubt:

Raymond Price - Hope he comes back soon, and gets into the groove rightaway. He had not had a break since his comeback, so it would be a concern.

Prosper Utseya - Still the number one offie. He hasn't been tested much in the subcontinental conditions. Would be better if he can pick up his batting too to the levels he had shown during 2007-2008.

Graeme Cremer - Leg spinners haven't enjoyed much success in any form of cricket at the subcontinent, especially in shorter formats; unless their name is Anil Kumble. So, Cremer has his task cut out, and he needs to prove that he is worthy of succeeding Price and Utseya for years to come.

The only other sure shot selection:

Elton Chigumbura - The skipper, of course. He needs to get back to full fitness and form with the ball as well, because without his all round options, we will suffer huge imbalance.

The next six slots though, are very much debatable, and the painful thing is you can't put a single pacer as a definite selection at this stage

[CrimsonAvenger]

Pacers: This is currently not our forte. We must be looking at damage limitation here, more than anything else. And get the best out of people who would be making the trip. Best suited if they can be multidimensional. I would look at 3 pacers to accompany Elton. We must rely on spin, there is no other choice. Options we have:

Christopher Mpofu - By far the most experienced we have, but lacks confidence. He has more variations than others as well. Streak just needs to speak to him and encourage him to believe in himself.

Ed Rainsford - Relies on swing and line and length, has great action as well. Can he be accurate enough to make it count? Can he remain injury free, as that has been a concern throughout his career so far?

Shingi Masakadza - Apparently has good pace. I haven't watched much of him of late, but seems to be a guy who lacks variation at the moment. Sheer pace is not enough at the subcontinent. He hasn't been very economical at the highest level so far, which is a concern. He can bat, which is an advantage

Keegan Meth - He needs to play a higher level of cricket for us to assess him better, but he looks like a street smart operator, relies on swing and line and length again, is accurate, is good with the bat, and a fabulous fielder in the outfield. Could be the right catalyst we need at the subcontinent.

Tendai Chatara - Now, where is he? He holds a lot of promise for sure. Could have benifited from being in the touring squad to SA in place of Nicholson. But he could be too young and inexperienced to be exposed at the world stage right now.

Current state of Kyle Jarvis's recovery is unknown, Ian Nicholson is far from getting a game right now, Tinashe Panyangara needs to do more to get a look in, Njabulo Ncube is at the same state as Nicholson, and Tawanda Mupariwa is out of the picture. Andy Blignaut is most probably not coming back.

At this stage I would go for Mpofu, Rainsford and Meth. But it might change after the SA series.

Medium pace option is available with Hamilton (and not Chibhabha for sure) - he has decent control.

As an aside, it is important to note that this would be Hamiton's first CWC if he makes it (he has to, otherwise we are crippled). He was away at University in 2003, and they did not consider him for selection in 2007, citing that he is a test specialist!

[ZIMDOGGY]

my 2 cents

1 masakadza
2 taylor
3 grant flower
4 sean williams
5 chamu chibhaba
6 taibu
7 elton chigumbura
8 cremer
9 price
10 (open spot
11 (open spot

12 Greg Lamb

13 prosper utseya
14 Craig ervine
15 chocolate Coventry

The 2 bowlers will be who wins the fight between
mpofu,
meth
rainsford
Shanghai masakaza
ian nicolson