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

THE GREAT ANDY FLOWER

It seems cricketers worldwide have found no answers for one Andy Flower who has become a nuisance with the bat, ripping bowlers into ribbons for Essex and Zim. It’s safe to say he’s the Tiger Woods or Lleyton Hewitt of cricket.

Zimbo in Belfast

I am from Australia and i am a huge follower and supporter of Zimbabwe in the cricketing world. I don’t support Australia and have been following Zimbabwe and its cricket for about five years now.

Along with following Zimbabwe in Test and One Day cricket I also try and follow as much cricket in Zimbabwe as possible, always checking first-class and club cricket as it interests me very much on the future of Zimbabwe in the cricketing world.

Being from Australia, I don’t get to read or see much news and cricket involving Zimbabwe so I don’t know all that much and what I do know is all from the net from CricInfo and also the ZCU homepage.

What I would like to know is who are the current players in first-class cricket to watch out for and follow for years to come. I’d like to know who will be the next bowlers to be looked at by Zimbabwe, along with the future batsmen as well.

I know Mark Vermeulen, Hamilton Masakadza, Charles Coventry and Stuart Matsikenyeri are highly regarded players but who else is there worth keeping an eye on? Also where can I get more in-depth information and news on Zimbabwe and its first-class teams like Mashonaland, Midlands and so on? Are there any addresses in Zimbabwe where I can get information on cricket and cricketing news, like maybe from the ZCU or the actual first-class teams’ home grounds, fan clubs and so on.

I would also like to know what you think about Zimbabwe looking at young Tatenda Taibu as the next wicket keeper/batsman for the team. I don’t think he has the class and ability to make it at international level and why not try Neil Ferreira who is a run-maker or give Coventry more of a go?

Also what is going on with Masakadza in cricket? Didn’t he go to college in South Africa to study? What exactly is he studying and is it possible that he will return to Zimbabwe to further his cricketing future with the international team and first-class teams? He is definitely a class player and although young seems to handle the pressure at the top very well with a 100 on debut against the West Indies - not exactly the worse bowling attack going around, is it?

Adam Pfeiffer (Australia)

Reply: Naming future players of genuine international class is a bit of a problem at the moment, as there do not appear to be any Flowers or Streaks coming through. There are some young players of promise, though, and it is a good idea to keep an eye on the CFX Academy, as the best young players are likely to come through there, usually straight after school. Probably the most successful this year has been pace bowler Jordane Nicolle, from Matabeleland. Of current school players, I am most interested in Elton Chigumbura, a batsman who can bowl, and who made his first-class debut for Mashonaland A last season at the age of 15.

Finding other sources to learn about Zimbabwe cricket is very difficult as the media here takes very little interest in cricket, especially at domestic level. The Zimbabwe page is, I believe, the ONLY regular up-to-date source of information available to followers of Zimbabwe cricket worldwide. But ZCU has revived the Zimbabwe Cricket Yearbook, two editions of which should be available this year.

The first has already been produced, which is basically a book of scorecards of the ‘missing’ seasons of 1999/2000 and 2000/01, for historical purposes. It is reviewed in this issue. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Lovemore Banda, Zimbabwe Cricket Union, P.O. Box 2739, Harare, and send a cheque for 10 pounds or equivalent payable to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. The second, for the 2001/02 season, should be out by the end of the year.

Campbell had the opportunity twice to celebrate his birthday in Colombo but both were bitter experiences.

In 1996 he along with Olonga was rescued from drowning when they were pulled by strong currents to some 60m off the shore at Ahungalla. He was leading Zimbabwe for the first time in a Test series but the impact of the mishap was quite evident as he managed a poor 19.50 average and lost the series 2-0 by the time 23 Sept arrived.

This year too the tenor was a trifle pensive when Campbell uncorked the champagne to celebrate his birthday in Colombo as not only did they crash out of the Champions Trophy but skipper Streak got injured in an accident at Colombo’s Malalasekra Road on another forgettable 23rd Sept.

Let’s hope a bright ‘n memorable birthday awaits Campbell if ever he returns again for a Colombo September!

Dr. Situ Phalswal (India)

Thank you very much for supplying the results of the Zim. domestic cricket results, scorecard and the fixtures as well, though you have always put the fixtures on the Z.C.U. website. It really made me feel like I am close to home even though I am in The Republic Of Ireland.

I am also delighted that my team Takashinga seem to be doing well so far. I hope it will carry on like that for them. It will encourage other youngsters in areas where the game is not played very much or at all. If it spreads the pool to recruit from for the national teams will also widen which can only be good for Zimbabwean cricket.

Masimba G. Mhandu (Ireland)

I would like to see IA Engelbrecht and M Vermeulen tried in the next Test team. I think they deserve a chance.

Hilario Chinondo (Austria)

Reply: Unfortunately Ian Engelbrecht left Zimbabwe for England at the start of the year and so is lost to Zimbabwe cricket.