*Official* VB Series - Australia, India & Zimbabwe

[Tim]

I'd have Grant Flower in at #3.

 

[Prince EWS]

IDe open with Flower and Have Vermeulen at 3. Vermeulen is a great player with a huge future, and had a great home series against WI, he scored quikcly but lo9oked cool as a cucumber.

 

[Tim]

Vermeulen
Carlisle
Streak
Flower
Ervine
Taibu
Wishart
Blignaut
Price
BOWLER
BOWLER

Or swap one of those bowlers for another batsman.

 

[Tim]

It's a real shame they don't have Andy Flower anymore to bat at 3, because a lineup like that isn't too bad...probably one of the best Zimbabwe has ever put out on the park.

 

[Prince EWS]

This would be one good lineup:

Vermeulen
Carlsile/Wishart
Goodwin
A.Flower
G.Flower
Streak
Ervine
Taibu
Blignaut
Price
Olonga/Friend/Hondo

but we have to face it that its not going to happen, and look at the emerging talents of Sibanda, Matsikenyeri, Mahwire and the other three players from that lineup that would be cut.... they can be good on their day. Matsikenyeri just needs to stop trying to bahs the ball to all parts and the other batsman need to start doing it! Also it wouldnt be so bad if most of their 0s were turned into 1s or 2s. They deal too much in boundires, which seem to be few and far bewteen except for the middle-lower order.

 

[Salamuddin]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Heath Streak on my trip to India in 2000. A fine gentleman.

Zimbabwe are a little unfortunate that Craig Wishart got injured and was sent home. He looks a very good batsman.

 

[masterblaster]

I'd have Neil Johnson in your lineup, instead of Carlisle, which is a little harsh for him.

 

[mavric41]

I'd open with either Bignaut or Ervine and have maybe Carlisle at the other end. Let them go beserk in the first 15 overs and Carlisle push singles and hold up one end.

 

[marc71178]

Marc are you blind to my posts?

Vish is the one that brought me in!

 

[Prince EWS]

Masterblaster, neil Johnson has retired (unless you were referring to my possible Zim lineup).

Marc, it was actually me who brought you in. In one of my posts I responded to what you said about an AUs-Ind final. I then mentioned that Ervine amoung others) were good players. Vish then said that you wouldnt agree with that point.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'd open with either Bignaut or Ervine and have maybe Carlisle at the other end. Let them go beserk in the first 15 overs and Carlisle push singles and hold up one end.

Interesting suggestion. I agree with that actually. A brisk start would be very helpful to the cause, especially with Streak and Taibu holding up the later part of the innings.

 

[Craig]

Vusi Sibana and Stuart Matiskenyri have to be some of the worst OD players around.

Be fair, Heath Streak probably has to pick x amount of black cricketers.

Exception being Taibu who would make the side regardless.

 

[V Reddy]

Vusi Sibana and Stuart Matiskenyri have to be some of the worst OD players around.

Be fair, Heath Streak probably has to pick x amount of black cricketers.

Exception being Taibu who would make the side regardless.

Sibanda is better than Stuart ( hopeless) and is worth persisting with as Mugabe anyway going to bring in other black players. He looked good against India till he was runout.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think its teh other way around. Matsikenyeri has shown in etsts that he can be a good player, he just needs to play properly in ODIs. Too much pressure is placed on him tos core quickly as Carlisle is normally pretty slow and if Vermeulen is in bad form he ill just eat the deliveries and wont score any runs. In good form, however, he is amazing.

And one thing that I find ierd about Matsikenyeri is his first name. Sometimes it is put as Stuart, and sometimes Stewart.

 

[Linda]

I just read that Lee and Hogg are in for Harvey and Gillespie. Sounds good to me. Rest of the team stay the same I imagine.

 

[Jono]

Let's see how Lee does against weaker opposition, this could be a good move to improve his confidence heading into Sunday's game.

 

[Prince EWS]

Lee will get Sibanda and Matsikenyeri (if he plays) out. Vermeulen will then proceed to smash him around, as he returns to the form he found at home, while Flower pushes the singles. Lee will then be brough back to wrap up the tail, what he does best in one day cricket, after after a promising start and dismissing Streak, he will get wholloped by Ervine and Blignaut, soaring Zimbabwe to over 260.

 

[Jono]

I reckon Lee will get a few wickets, that's a guarantee. But nothing will please me more than seeing Blignaut and Ervine smash him all over the park. That will definitely be some nice entertainment.

 

[V Reddy]

I think Zim would do well with the given below team

Sibanda
Vermeulen
Friend
Flower
Carlisle
Streak
Taibu ( at 9 if Zim is in good position)
Ervine
Blignaut
Price
Hondo ( Since Sibanda and Hondo are mandatory with Mugabe)

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

IMO Vermeulen will, like Astle, better prosper at # 3. Friend should open and play some shots.