Zimbabwe team for the first test:
T. Gripper
B. Rogers
D. Ebrahim
S. Carlisle
H. Masakadza
C. Wishart or E. Chigumbura
T. Taibu
H. Streak
A. Blignaut
D. Hondo
G. Cremer
Trevor has what it takes to do well, he's kind of like a poor man's Mark Richardson, which is not bad, and he also bowls offspin. I would have Brendan Taylor opening with him but as he's been banned I think Barney has to be the guy, although I am basing that on good ODI performances. They might go with Charles Coventry, who had a great A series against Pakistan A. Dion has to stay in the side, obviously Stuart with his two centuries, Hamilton with his class and technique. Here's where it gets interesting. Wishart is a very good player but he's getting older, so they could go with Elton who can bowl as well. Tatenda obviously as captain, Heath for the obvious, same for Andy. Douggie has done well in Bangladesh recently, and has a good average for a Zimbok, finally Cremer definately has some potential.
There are quite a few players the ZC might go with as well, including;
Doug Marillier- He's in Zimbabwe but I don't think he wants to play internationals, if he does then he should definately play, and open instead of Rogers.
Sean Williams, Tino Mawoyo, Terry Duffin- three young bats with some promise. Mawoyo is Zim U19 captain, Duffin has made national squads before.
Craig Ervine- Sean's brother, quite a promising allrounder in the mould of Sean.
CJ Chibhabha- very promising allrounder, bowls medium-fast with quite a bit of movement
Blessing Mahwire, Ed Rainsford, Mluleki Nkala, Chris Mpofu- Mpofu in the front of this lot who should be the back up if needed.
Anthony Ireland- Medium-fast but erratic Midlands seamer who did quite well in the A series.
There are lots of guys about the same level in Zimbabwe which is the problem really, I could name loads more guys they might try but it's unlikely they'd do any better than my side.
Zimbabwe will lose, obviously, mostly by big margins but, and it's only a but, this side could be stronger than the team on the SA tour.