CHENGETAI NYAMUSHONYONGORA*
When Zimbabwe’s squad for the upcoming Test against England at Trent Bridge was announced, one omission stood out: Vincent Masekesa. After a dream debut in Bangladesh, where he picked up a five-wicket haul, many fans assumed he’d done more than enough to retain his place. Dropping a bowler who takes five on debut isn’t something that happens often, especially in a team still building its depth. So naturally, eyebrows were raised. But was it the wrong call?
 |
| Vincent Masekesa [Image: ESPNCricInfo] |
Let’s start with the numbers. Masekesa’s Test debut couldn’t have gone much better. He bowled 188 deliveries, took five wickets, and finished with an average of 23.00. His economy rate was a respectable 3.67. Importantly, he didn’t just clean up the tail—he took meaningful wickets, showing control and purpose on a turning track in Bangladesh. For a Test debutant, that’s a significant performance. Statistically, it was a standout debut.
So again, why leave him out?
The answer, in large part, comes down to conditions, and Trent Bridge is just about the opposite of Bangladesh. Historically, it’s been a graveyard for spinners. Before Shoaib Bashir’s five-wicket haul against the West Indies earlier this year, no spinner had managed that feat there since 2006. That’s nearly two decades without a spinner dominating the conditions. In fact, only one spinner in history—Clarrie Grimmett—has taken multiple five-wicket hauls at the ground, and he last played there in the 1930s.
Even England’s Ben Stokes admitted after the West Indies match that “the wicket offered hardly anything to the spinners.” That’s pretty telling. So for Zimbabwe, picking a specialist spinner for this venue, especially a young one, would’ve been a serious risk.
Instead, they’ve gone all-in on pace. The selected bowling group includes Trevor Gwandu, Victor Nyauchi, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava. However, fans still raised valid questions why Wellington Masakadza, a slow left arm orthodox spinner was included in the squad. That’s a seam-heavy unit built for English conditions. Blessing and Ngarava have become mainstays, offering height, bounce, and accuracy. Nyauchi is experienced and steady with a Test average of 37.26 over 10 matches. Gwandu, though still new with two Tests, brings right-arm medium pace but has struggled so far, averaging 55.75.
Then there’s Nyamhuri—the 19-year-old seamer who’s effectively taken Masekesa’s spot. And here’s where it gets interesting. In his three Tests so far, Nyamhuri has bowled 45 overs, taken four wickets, and averages 61.75. His best figures are 3 for 42. On paper, Masekesa’s numbers are miles better. But again, this seems to come down to the conditions. Nyamhuri is a seamer; and at Trent Bridge, seamers are always going to be in demand.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Nyamhuri is the better bowler overall—just that his skill set is a better fit for this match. That’s the crux of this decision. It’s not about who has the better stats; it’s about who suits the pitch. From a purely numbers-based point of view, Masekesa has earned another game. But from a tactical perspective, putting a spinner into a game where spin has almost no track record of success might not help the team—or the player.
You could also argue that managing players’ confidence means more than just rewarding form. Protecting confidence matters too. Dropping Masekesa into a flat pitch in England where he’s unlikely to take wickets could easily undo the good from his debut. Waiting for more favorable conditions—like Bulawayo, where spin is more of a factor—might be the smarter long-term play.
Of course, fans still have every right to be disappointed. Masekesa did his job, and did it well. He earned the right to be part of the conversation. But sometimes selections aren’t about what’s deserved—they’re about what fits the plan.
The real verdict will come on the field. If Zimbabwe’s seamers fire and take 20 wickets, this will look like a savvy, horses-for-courses decision. If the attack falls flat, the calls for Masekesa’s return will only grow louder.
Fans quickly criticized Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to leave Masekesa out, but it seems the selectors did their homework. With Trent Bridge historically unfriendly to spinners, the decision to opt for a pace-heavy attack makes sense.
What’s clear is that Vincent Masekesa is still very much in the picture. His omission doesn’t close the door; it just suggests that his next chance might come when conditions give him a real shot at making an impact again. And if he performs like he did in Bangladesh, it won’t be long before he’s back in whites.
*This article was first published on The Soak Bench.
0 Comments