The only problem I can see with leaving Mbangwa out is that it doesn't do his confidence much good knowing he hasn't been considered to be in the list of the best 30 one-day cricketers in Zimbabwe, knowing that players like Mahwire and Mwayenga, who have hardly even touched first-class cricket have been selected instead.

The biggest problem I can see is not one caused by the selectors but this. When Streak, Blignaut, Hondo, Friend and Olonga are fully fit, who will play out of them? A tricky situation for the selectors, I feel, especially with the racial quota.

This would be my final 15.

1. Alistair Campbell
2. Mark Vermeulen
3. Andy Flower
4. Stuart Carlisle
5. Craig Evans
6. Grant Flower
7. Doug Marillier
8. Guy Whittall or Barney Rogers
9. Tatenda Taibu
10.Brian Murphy
11.Andy Blignaut
12.Heath Streak
13.Douglas Hondo
14.Travis Friend
15.Henry Olonga

How Wishart was selected for the recent one-day series I will never know. He only adds depth to the side. No one has really seen him do an awful lot in international cricket. Carlisle, despite being out of form, adds depth and experience. He has performed on occasions in international cricket and deserves another chance. I sure if Campbell had a lean domestic series he still would have been selected for the series against Pakistan and Kenya.

Thanks. What do the other readers think?

James Matthews (Australia)

Reply To Muslim Karimjee from Kenya

I don't mean to sound rude or anything but I think you are just about the most narrow-minded person I have come across. You say that Kenya could beat Zimbabwe. Have you seen the stats? Not once EVER has Kenya beaten Zimbabwe. The last result being of course a stroll in the park for Zimbabwe.

I also believe you are mistaken about Kenya being able to thump our A side. If you look at the last year's series, one draw and one loss doesn't to me sound like a thumping. If you look at the second `Test' 199 for 1. That to me doesn't sound very encouraging for your bowlers. Now you want Test status. Apart from Tikolo and Odumbe you have NO batsmen who would even make a full-strength Midlands team.

I don't mean to sound too negative about Kenyan cricket. I would love to see them gain Test status but not until they can play somewhere near Test standard.

Apart from that I would like to know more about Paul Strang. The last time I heard about him he wasn't bowling leg-spin because of injury. Is that still the case? Is Guy Whittall injured or are the selectors just ignoring him as usual?

Sibusiso Nkomani (Belgium)

Reply: Paul still hasn't been able to resume his usual leg-spin. Guy Whittall can bat but is still doubtful for bowling, and this may well be why the selectors have excluded him.

In regards to the letter published in the last ZCO newsletter on Kenya in cricket, I believe that Zimbabwe are a lot better team than Kenya and would definitely have beaten Kenya in the First ODI if it hadn't rained.

With due respect Kenya are a good and talented team and may well beat Zimbabwe one day, but not too soon in my eyes. They are a strong batting side but lack the bowling they deserves. They need someone to back Martin Suji and at the moment that's just not happening.

Surely there must be better cricketers in Kenya then some of the guys in the team at the moment. In my opinion they should have been given Test status before Bangladesh without a doubt, but because they didn't I'm sure they will work harder to receive that status and give teams like India, Pakistan and so on a run for their money.

Adam Pfeiffer (Australia)

A couple of points

* I did feel you were a little harsh on your comments about Kenya's current status last week, despite the results against Zimbabwe. In the last two years they seem to have play Sri Lanka A (twice), West Indies, Zimbabwe A & Bangladesh A in first class games. However I agree more matches of this type can only help. It has to be asked what has happened to the plan of the major Test playing nations, sending their `A' teams to the leading associates each year?

* As for Test Status for Kenya, their players deserve to be playing a more regular, higher class of cricket (as do some other individuals from associate nations). However, what is the strength of the their junior system? I'm surprise to see no Kenyan team playing in the Under-17 national South African championships, while both Namibia and Zimbabwe have entered teams. Maybe I'm mistaken or is there a good reason???

* Let's hope that Zimbabwe, Kenya & Nambia can work together (where possible) to raise the standard of cricket in their respective nations and surprise a few in the World Cup.

Richard Jones (Australia)

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