Letters

LETTERS 

Write to: John Ward (jward@cricinfo.com) 

EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED

I've noted with interest your latest editorial.  Many are now calling for older players back into the side.  I must say that my biggest issue with the selection of batsmen is first-class experience.  It really takes a lot of first-class hundreds before players can expect to make them at Test level.  Stephen Fleming seems to finally have enough under his belt (18 or so), so that his head can cope with the demands of reaching 100.

I believe that Campbell and Whittall are examples of this.  They are not world-beating talents, but they have both reached double figures for first class centuries.  This is quite rare for Zimbabwean batsmen.  It takes time to turn average ability into consistent centuries. 

Throwing bowlers in early is not too bad because bowlers have more opportunity for on-the-job training.  They can make mistakes and still be in the game.  Inexperienced, out-of-form batsmen don't have that luxury. 

Geoff Marsh should be working with the top ten batsmen.  The rest ought to be learning to make hundreds in first-class cricket or for the Board XI in the Bowl.  It is ridiculous to be expecting a bloke averaging 27 in first-class cricket to do anything at Test level.  This to me is the worst error of the selectors. 

I am currently pretty happy with the choice of bowlers.  I think that besides the omission of B. Strang from ODIs the squad of bowlers is pretty fair. 

I also want to say that Zimbabwe's tail at the moment is probably the third or fourth best in the world.  Streak at 8 and Friend at 9, with Blignaut, etc, around is pretty impressive.  I suppose that is due in part to all the practice the top order allow them to have in the middle. 

Well done for all the statistical work that you have been doing of late.  I've been keen for up to date List A and first-class stats for some time.  Good effort on your past year's coverage, I really enjoy it. 

James McMaster (Australia) 

SUCCESSIVE HEAVY LOSSES 

I am very disappointed by the recent losses of Zimbabwean team caused apparently by their loss of concentration in the game.  Nobody is right now focused on the job they should be doing - most probably because there is much happening off the field in the cricket team and the union. 

The selectors are not at all helping the cause by picking up players without any merits like Nkala repeatedly.  The selection is apparently done with racial overtones in mind.  Also Zimbabwe is trying to bring in too many players into the game simultaneously without giving any time to settle to anybody (although plenty to Olonga and Nkala). 

Zimbabwean cricket was flourishing the right way till some time ago.

Please let that continue - this is a request from an ardent fan. 

Ankur Agarwal  (India) 

GLEN BARRETT 

I would like to comment on the information about myself in the CricInfo journal. The following passage is taken from the journal and some of the information is incorrect.  The following information needs to be corrected: 

I was at Falcon College in 1992, then went to St. George’s from 1993 to 1997.  I then attended St. John's College for a year in 1998.  I also represented Zimbabwe in athletics in 1997 in the South African national Schools Championships.  I was selected as captain.  I have been studying at Varsity college in Cape Town for the last three years and have represented the University of Cape Town in Cricket, Rugby, Athletics and Hockey.  I hope you look into correcting this information. 

Glen Barrett (Zimbabwe) 

TO THE SELECTORS 

I would like to know why it looks like when selections are made the players’ performances in the domestic competitions do not seem to be looked at.  After checking the domestic competition averages one realizes that Mark Vermeulen should be in the team as opener; instead we are trying to groom a player who is not a natural opener (Dion Ebrahim).  Apart from his success in Bangladesh he has not done well in that position.  Why not try Mark with a first-class average of 39?  He is a far better batsman than most of the guys in the team.  Another player who seems to be getting a raw deal with the selectors is Engelbrecht whose performance as a bowler in domestic cricket is excellent.  

To the team in Sri Lanka I would have expected us to send Ray Price and Paul Strang or maybe the time has come to try out Engelbrecht.  I would also suggest that the team uses five bowlers to give us a better chance to bowl out the Sri Lankans who are at the moment in scintillating form with the bat.  My team would be as follows:

 1. Masakadza 2. Gripper 3. Carlisle 4. A Flower 5. Wishart 6. Rennie 7. Streak 8. Friend 9. Brent 10. Murphy 11. Olonga. 

I would have preferred to have Mark Vermeulen in place of Carlisle with Masakadza moving down to number 3, but he is not in Sri Lanka. I would also have put Ray Price in place of Brent.  

Munya Chinondo (Zimbabwe) 

WINSTONIANS/TAKASHINGA 

Firstly let me say how much I enjoy keeping up with the local cricket news even where we now live here in America.  I was a little puzzled by the article in December 14 online issue discussing the evolution of the Takashinga club.  Many years ago in pre-Zimbabwe days....Old Winstonians were a first-league club who then became Standard Bank.  I played for them in 71 and wondered what had become of the club? 

Stan Hannan (USA) 

     Reply:  Yes, the ‘old’ Old Winstonians cut its ties with Churchill School when it became Standard Bank, and that club faded out as a national league team over the years.  The recent Old Winstonians had no connection with the former team of the same name, but it took that name because it was connected with the same school.

 THE SELECTORS – AGAIN 

 As a Zimbabwean fan I feel more and more that our selectors aren't choosing the best team available.  Right now the team is in Sri Lanka and we only have one out-of-form spinner.  The lack of a spinner, among other things, has cost us the First Test and probably the series.

We have quality spinners just sitting at home, when they should be competing in conditions which are favourable to them. We have the likes of Paul Strang, Ray Price and Barney Rogers.  We are on an Asian tour and only pick one spinner – it’s unbelievable.  I think someone should take the selectors to these places and let them see what the wickets look and play like, then maybe they will understand. 

Sibusiso Nkomani (Belgium) 

HAMILTON MASAKADZA 

I would be extremely grateful if you could pass on my congratulations and best wishes to Mr Hamilton Masakadza, for his efforts since coming into international cricket. I think his performances have been extraordinary for such a young man, and I sincerely hope he can continue on and have a great career for Zimbabwe.  I live in Australia, and can't wait until we get to see him play over here.

 Also congratulations to you on your excellent newsletters, which provide great information on a part of the world that I would love to visit one day.

 Neville Jackson (Australia) 

     Reply: Unfortunately I do not have the facilities to contact the players personally to pass on messages.