Letters

Editorial address: jward@cricinfo.com

ZIMBABWEANS IN PORT ADELAIDE

Just a note to inform you and your readers of recent performances of Zimbabwean players playing for PORT ADELAIDE in the South Australian First Grade competition.

Doug Hondo has progressed very well over the past three months and is now learning how to bowl long spells and maintain pressure. Last Saturday he returned his best figures of six for 49 off 25 overs, including 9 maidens. His opening spell of 13 overs, four for 19, against the league's second-placed team which included three current Pura Cup squad members was sensational and has the local cricket community excited. The strong coaching of club coach Robbie Christenson, a former Sheffield Shield fast bowler himself, is paying dividends for both Doug and the club.

Guy Croxford has struggled on the bouncy Australian wickets with the bat and was relegated to second grade for one game. When he returned to first grade his progression as a natural all-rounder shone through, bowling 14 overs without change for one for 24 against the competition's strongest batting team. He played a big part in helping the club win and keeping pressure on at one end while Jamie Marsh (Rod's youngest son) took Six for 77. His development as a medium pacer has been excellent and the coaching again has helped.

Stu Matsikenyeri returned to us this week from the Under-19 World Cup. His form with the bat prior to leaving before Christmas was good, particularly in the one-day West End Cup games. We look forward to his input with the bat and the ball again.

Bob Andrews (1st Grade team Manager, Port Adelaide Cricket Club, South Australia)

TAIBU - A FLOWER BLOSSOMED

Life is a playground for teens of Taibu's age but not for this new little icon of Zimbabwe cricket. He lost both of his parents at a young age and faced all the hardships of life when others were reading comics. Mangongo motivated this football fan to opt for cricket. Very soon his mentor Andy Flower, whilst joining Winstonians all black club, gifted him his first ever full cricket kit.

Obviously this Churchill School lad was anxious when he made his debut at Harare Sports Club but not before he saw his sister in Castle Corner. That boosted his confidence and he played a cameo. Five months later this squash school captain was showing his versatility in the Under-19 World Cup. He led the team, kept wicket, bowled wicket-taking deliveries and then batted at the crucial number three spot. There are times when 'Taibs' is spectacular but in this tournament he was almost methodical, especially in the plate final.

The Under-19 World Cup saw brilliant individual performances but in my book he was the most complete player of all and no doubt he won the 'Player of the Tournament' award. This will only boost Zimbabwe cricket in a big way and particularly the black children - including Kudzai & Tapiwa Taibu, his cricket-playing young brothers.

Dr. Situ Phalswal (India)

Reply: Kudzai is set to make his first-class debut for Mashonaland in the Logan Cup this weekend.

ABSENCE OF KEY PLAYERS

Some of your key players keep disappearing from the team for long spells, and the team really suffers as a result. You said Blignaut was not co-operating with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, so he was not available for selection. It's good to see Alistair Campbell back in the team, but what about Guy Whittall, Paul and Bryan Strang? Is there any chance that these players will be back in time for the 2003 World Cup? Is the lack of money the only reason, or are there some other problems as well?

Udayan Nag (India)

DOMESTIC CRICKET

I would like to get some answer from the ZCU why we don't play three- or four-day matches on the domestic scene. I think we only play a few, and it would improve our play if we had more. The Zim A side is the only side that really gets to play the long version of matches. That means that the rest of our players don't get enough practice in playing the long version. It is probably time to introduce a three-day competition featuring all the teams in the league. We could also invite teams like Kenya or provincial sides from other Test countries to come and play four-day matches not just against the Zim A side but maybe also the provincial sides. Our players would then get to play against better sides and would learn faster what is needed on the international scene. Our domestic scene alone will not help much as it is not yet up to scratch. We really need a three-day competition.

Hilario Chimnondo (Zimbabwe)

Reply: We agree, and the four-day inter-provincial Logan Cup competition starts this weekend. Teams only play five matches each, though, when experts seem to agree that ten would be a better number. However, lack of finance for a longer programme is a major handicap, and that would also affect our inviting Kenya or other teams to participate.