***Official*** West Indies in Zimbabwe 2017

[Woodster]

Which to be fair in an ideal world Bravo would be made to play some first-class cricket before he returns to the Test side, has he played much cricket at all of late ?

 

[Beamer]

Is it because he wanted to play first class before his return?

Which to be fair in an ideal world Bravo would be made to play some first-class cricket before he returns to the Test side, has he played much cricket at all of late ?

Yeah you're both right, maybe that's the case. Our FC season starts in a few weeks. Hopefully he will get some under his belt then be available for the tour of New Zealand in November. I rather fear he will play lots of T20 instead though.

 

[Woodster]

Yeah you're both right, maybe that's the case. Our FC season starts in a few weeks. Hopefully he will get some under his belt then be available for the tour of New Zealand in November. I rather fear he will play lots of T20 instead though.

Which will be a huge waste of his ability albeit potentially strengthen his financial position. He's 28 years old now, has played 49 Tests and averages 40, these next four/five years should be about him building on those numbers, getting the big hundreds, etc, and helping to propel WI cricket forward.

 

[Beamer]

Which will be a huge waste of his ability albeit potentially strengthen his financial position. He's 28 years old now, has played 49 Tests and averages 40, these next four/five years should be about him building on those numbers, getting the big hundreds, etc, and helping to propel WI cricket forward.

I completely agree. In Darren Bravo's case I have some sympathy though as he missed out on T20 for 2 years to prioritise test cricket at a time when none of his peers were. He was rewarded with a C grade contract and the President lying about him on national TV.

Still, I hope they truly have moved on and he gets FC runs under his belt followed by a call up for the NZ tour.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Darren Bravo has evolved into a great T20 player. Played some crazy innings in CPL

 

[Woodster]

Darren Bravo has evolved into a great T20 player. Played some crazy innings in CPL

I don't he has evolved into a fine T20 player, the guy has all the ability if he works at it. That said, it would feel a bit of a waste of his talent if he just focused on T20 cricket rather than fulfil his potential further in the more testing environment of Test cricket. Of course the lure of the dollar is always a temptation.

 

[WindieWeathers]

***Official*** West Indies tour of Zimbabwe 2017

Blimey!!..I tried to look for a thread for this series as it's starting tomorrow and it's as if we aren't even playing or something. I know it's not the most glamorous series around but come on guys .

Anyway here are the fixture lists and squads

Sun Oct 15 - Tue Oct 17
Zimbabwe A v West Indies
Bulawayo Athletic Club

Sat Oct 21 - Wed Oct 25
1st Test - Zimbabwe v West Indies
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Sun Oct 29 - Thu Nov 2
2nd Test - Zimbabwe v West Indies
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

WEST INDIES SQUAD

Jason Holder (capt),
Kraigg Brathwaite,
Devendra Bishoo,
Jermaine Blackwood,
Roston Chase,
Miguel Cummins,
Shane Dowrich (wk),
Shannon Gabriel,
Shimron Hetmyer,
Kyle Hope,
Shai Hope,
Alzarri Joseph,
Kieran Powell,
Raymon Reifer,
Kemar Roach

ZIMBABWE SQUAD

Graeme Cremer (capt),
Hamilton Masakadza,
Solomon Mire,
Chamu Chibhabha,
Craig Ervine,
Brendan Taylor,
Sikandar Raza,
Sean Williams,
Malcolm Waller,
Peter Moor,
Regis Chakabva (wk),
Michael Chinouya,
Chris Mpofu,
Kyle Jarvis,
Tendai Chisoro,
Nyasha Mayavo

Was disappointed not to see Darren Bravo back in the whites but on reflection he hasn't played any first class cricket for several months so I guess that's the reason. Kraigg, Shai, Hetty, Chase and a few others batted well in the warm-up game and the pacers took some wickets too. Would expect to see Kyle Hope continue at number three which is a surprise as I'd much prefer to see Hetty play but the coaches appear to want to give Kyle another chance. Dowrich and Powell will need to step up here because their positions have been up for debate in recent times although tbf Powell didn't disgrace himself in England. Bishoo too will need to step up and demand the ball from Holder if he really wants to keep his place. Chase had a poor tour in England after the great start he'd had to his test career so this will be an opportunity to put things right. Apart from that the attack should be the same as it was in England with Kemar and Shannon taking centre-stage.

As far as Zimbabwe are concerned. Well they've been quite good lately and really pushed Sri-lanka all the way in their last test match. Jarvis is a very decent bowler and Taylor's return is a big boost for them aswell. All in all it should be a fun little series to watch.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Starts tomorrow. Found this thread buried...

Hope to sticky it

 

[NUFAN]

Good work, I was looking for it too.

For betting purposes I was very surprised to see Powell (4.00) at equal favourite with Brathwaite to score the most runs for WI in the first innings. Of course he could - but Shai Hope (4.50) is definitely better value being priced higher. Cremer (4.50) is also good value for most wickets. Hard to not see him take a 3 or 4 fa, even if it is for 120 or so.

 

[mr_mister]

I'll definitely throw some money on Shai at that price

I'm happy for Zimbabwe cricket to take several backward steps if it means some of these young windies guys establish themselves. Whoever out of Hetmyer/Kyle Hope plays has a great chance to turn around a horrible start to their test career

 

[Prince EWS]

So pumped for this! But the toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield.

 

[Starfighter]

Zimbabwe showing the confidence in their batting by picking only three specialist bowlers. Guessing Masakadza as third seamer?

 

[Prince EWS]

Zimbabwe showing the confidence in their batting by picking only three specialist bowlers.

It's more just recognising that they don't any other bowlers who'd offer an significant improvement over all the bowling of their batting allrounders to justify a position. They only picked three bowlers against Sri Lanka as well and Sikanda+Williams kind of backed that decision up with the ball to some extent.

Guessing Masakadza as third seamer?

Nah Mire will be third seamer.

 

[StephenZA]

I actually quite like Mpofu....


.....think this is an interesting series.

 

[NUFAN]

I actually quite like Mpofu....


.....think this is an interesting series.

I am more of a Donald Tiripano fan？

I dont think I can ever forgive Mpofu for leteting CW down

 

[StephenZA]

I am more of a Donald Tiripano fan？

I dont think I can ever forgive Mpofu for leteting CW down

Pathetically, considering I should know more, I truly dont know enough about the Zim players to really compare.... there is just something about Mpofu I like.

 

[Prince EWS]

INah Mire will be third seamer.

He's been good too. He's always been capable of pushing 130 but I've never seen him do it without just spraying it before.

 

[TestMatch]

Aside from Shai Hope, the Windies don't look comfortable.

 

[Prince EWS]

That's some serious turn for a part-time dart-flinger in the first session of the match.

 

[Stapel]

Who's broadcasting this match?