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*Official* South Africa Test Tour of Zimbabwe 2025

Bahseph

International Debutant
Muzarabani is quality and Ngarava is test level if he is fit but they dearly need a third seamer who can keep it tight. I’m thinking of someone like a Tiripano, not even a Kyle Jarvis. The main issue I feel is Mazakadza is probably passable at this level but they need a better spinner.
 

SeamUp

International Coach
If I was Zimbabwean selector and was free to pick my own team I would have selected this team :

1.Brian Bennett
2.Alistair Frost (FC avg 44)
3.Craig Ervine (C)
4.Sean Williams
5.Dion Myers (FC avg 41)
6.Wessly Madhevere
7.Marumani (WK) (FC Avg 36)
8.Wellington Madsakadza
9.Tendai Chatara
10.Blessing Muzarabani
11.Tanaka Chivanga

When Bennett got injured I would have replaced him with Nick Welch
Alistair Frost is a Hilton College Old Boy.

His younger brother Michael and Michael Booth (Warwickshire) were also top talents at Hilton. Although it looks like Michael has drifted a bit but was a decent spin-bowler. Now in Ireland.
 

Bahseph

International Debutant
I think there is enough fast bowling talent around for Zim to be okay moving forward, but I’m more concerned as to what happens when they lose Ervine and Williams. Good ball that from Chivanga.
 

SeamUp

International Coach
Last South African to make more than 1 hundred at 3 was Hashim Amla. It's been painful that change over. Hopefully this is the start of something fruitful.
 

Kenneth Viljoen

International Regular
Last South African to make more than 1 hundred at 3 was Hashim Amla. It's been painful that change over. Hopefully this is the start of something fruitful.
Yep Zubayr Hamza who was supposed to be the next Amla but didn't kick on , De Bruyn the failed prodigy , Rassie Van Der Dussen who kept getting starts and then getting out, same story with Keegan Petersen , Stubbs actually did quite well .
 

Silver Silva

International Vice-Captain
Still find it strange Brad Evans isn't even in the squad. He isn't a world beater but at least should be a strong possibility for that 3rd seamer role.

Will Kane even be selected for this? 😂
I'm sure he will be chomping at the bit there is no better basher of inexperienced bowlers than Williamson😅..
 

Bahseph

International Debutant
Pretorius is ****ing special.
I’ve always wondered about these young blokes growing up on T20. Yeah some don’t develop proper technique when feasting on T20 but if you manage to take that T20 ball striking ability AND get them to figure out their FC game they could be scary. I’m looking at what a big difference in Brevis there has been since he started putting in the hard yards in FC cricket and obviously Pretorius played FC soon after debuting in the SA20 and you have to feel it’s a very deliberate move from the management at the Titans and maybe even Conrad himself.
 

SeamUp

International Coach
Yep Zubayr Hamza who was supposed to be the next Amla but didn't kick on , De Bruyn the failed prodigy , Rassie Van Der Dussen who kept getting starts and then getting out, same story with Keegan Petersen , Stubbs actually did quite well .
Jeepers lots of hopes there.

Crazy that Theunis De Bruyn has packed in the game 😂

Elgar (good test opener but needed a partner to balance him). Who do we chose Mr dour Pieter Malan and then another dour sod at 3 in Rassie Vd Dussen with no track record of FC hundreds. Crazy we went so long with Rassie at 3.
 

Bahseph

International Debutant
Jeepers lots of hopes there.

Crazy that Theunis De Bruyn has packed in the game 😂

Elgar (good test opener but needed a partner to balance him). Who do we chose Mr dour Pieter Malan and then another dour sod at 3 in Rassie Vd Dussen with no track record of FC hundreds. Crazy we went so long with Rassie at 3.
It was so weird watching Rassie bat in Tests. He just seemed so unsure about his game and ended up getting stuck because he couldn’t play that block/nurdle he does in LO games. I always have a soft spot for Rassie though.
 

SeamUp

International Coach
I’ve always wondered about these young blokes growing up on T20. Yeah some don’t develop proper technique when feasting on T20 but if you manage to take that T20 ball striking ability AND get them to figure out their FC game they could be scary. I’m looking at what a big difference in Brevis there has been since he started putting in the hard yards in FC cricket and obviously Pretorius played FC soon after debuting in the SA20 and you have to feel it’s a very deliberate move from the management at the Titans and maybe even Conrad himself.
We got to remember what freak talents they are. They've both were scoring 100s regularly and for fun from young. I don't think you can do that if you just a hitter.

Brevis was U19 player of the world cup 2022 & he was touted for ages.

Lhuan-dre was the best young batsman I saw in the 2024 U19 CWC although 1 or 2 of the Aussies were also very good ie Konstas

I suppose T20 has lifted fear of failure now which blighted some very good players. But I agree, if you can find that balance in young players its ideal. But the best often minimise risk even if they score quickly.
 

Kenneth Viljoen

International Regular
Only the 10th Test skipper to get 150+ on debut

Bill Murdoch (AUS) 153, vs England 1880
Clem Hill (AUS) 191 vs England 1910
Warwick Armstrong (AUS) 158 vs England 1920
Vijay Hazare (IND)164* vs England 1951
Graham Dowling (NZ) 239 vs India 1968
Clive Lloyd 163 (WI) vs India 1974
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)203* vs South Africa 2005
Alastair Cook (ENG) 173 vs Bangladesh 2010
Joe Root (ENG)190 vs South Africa 2017
Wiaan Mulder (SA) 161 and counting vs Zimbabwe 2025
 

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