Sibanda debate rages

their position in the elite league after returning to Test cricket last year.
The teams meet for the second time, inside three months, with Zimbabwe hoping to turn the tables after losing by 34 runs at Queens Sports Club at the beginning of November.
The selectors named a balanced squad, which included experienced players like Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Elton Chigumbura and captain Brendan Taylor.
There were also places for the country’s emerging talents like Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori who appear to have cemented their places in the team while Stuart Matsikenyeri made a return in the back of good performances at Mashonaland Eagles.
But the big debate in the last two days has been the omission of opening batman Vusi Sibanda from the touring squad.
Sibanda was deemed ineligible for national duty by the Cricket Committee selection policy which requires all players to be involved in domestic cricket.
Zimbabwe Cricket said the 28-year old right handed batsman was dropped from the traveling squad because of his decision to turn down a contract from MidWest Rhinos and, instead, heading to Australia to play grade cricket without clearance.
Sibanda is one the talented players in the Zimbabwe fold and the decision to ignore him has torched debate among the cricket fans who feel the player was needed at this stage.
Zimbabwe ended their five year self-imposed exile with a victory against Bangladesh last year but the two defeats against Pakistan and Pakistan that followed somewhat dampened the spirits.
Below are some of the discussions picked from the social networks.
Karlington Mahlanze – Vusi should have known better. He knew the rules and went against them and now he is paying the price. He should have agreed with ZC before going to Australia.
He will be greatly missed though. I am not sure about playing Cremer in Test matches only. I would have him in all formats for Zim.
Sibonakaliso Conscience Mpala – My disappointment is with the non-selection of Vusi and Craig Ervine. But then who am I to question a decision made by national selectors? However, I think selectors need to be named and shamed should things go wrong, and likewise praised should the team perform well. They shouldn’t just pick a team and go into hiding as they do now.
Hrit24 – I did not expect this from ZC. They have just left out Sibanda because he went to play a bit of club cricket in Australia!
Vusi is such a key player for the team and along with Mawoyo had the highest opening pair averages in 2011.
It seems ZC are going back to their older ways of leaving out players who went to play abroad.
And furthermore, though I must admit that Matsikenyeri had a good performance in the Logan Cup, Craig Ervine had a far, far better performance than him. Ervine not only merited a place in the Test squad, he “deserved” it.
zimlover – That’s the worst decision this selectors have made before the tour seriously, I don’t see anyone replacing Vusi. Chibhabha has been very inconsistent.
How can they do this to the team. Even though Matsikenyeri has said to be inform I don’t see him making a huge score. I can see him making ducks.
This is a nightmare, I don’t know why they didn’t issue this certificate to Vusi so that he can also be selected. This current Zim cricket admin needs a big shake up.
Masimba G Mhandu – I hope Vusi Sibanda will soon be back in the fold.
If it’s true he played in Australia for only for a month & is being dropped just for that only then it does not make any sense at all to drop our best opening batsman when we are trying to make inroads back into international cricket in both test & ODIs.
Kanzis – Such a shame Vusi has not been selected, the partnership he was forming with Tino looked promising. Not a bad sqwuad otherwise, excited to see Vitori and Jarvis bowl here in NZ.
It’s been a pretty damp summer so far so they should get some assistance from the pitches here, Come on Zim lets make some more positive strides in our test comeback!
Eddy – ZC pliz stop this madness, remember we are rebuilding after years in the wilderness so we need all our best players. Stop this bonding system, leave the players better their games and lives. It’s not a crime to seek greener pastures.
marcnwa – What a mistake by ZC
Gerald – It’s like saying no more foreign based players for the national soccer team!
Mike Reekie – Wrong decision on Vusi.
Levi Pearce – Big question is going to be, who opens with Mawoyo in the Test and with Masakadza in the ODIs?
Panganai Robert Kasenza – Guys having read the statement by ZC I think they are right to drop Vusi.
Rules are rules and Vusi knew the consequences when he took up the grade cricket offer. ZC has to be firm so that other players do not do what sibanda did. ZC, I salute you.
Michael Charinda – I support you Panganai. These boys should take this game seriously.