Trevor McIntosh (Auckland, New Zealand)

Is the Bertus Erasmus who is playing for OG's the brother of Danie Erasmus ? If so I went to school with both at Eaglesvale.

May I take this opportunity to congratulate you on a wonderful site. We may not have the best Test team but we sure have the best site! You have done an excellent job in producing such interesting information. We get very little information here in New Zealand on Zimbabwe cricket.

Reply: Thanks very much. Yes, Bertus is Danie's brother.

Martin Lauritsen (Geraldton, West Australia)

Just a short note from Australia regarding selection of your national side. I think you need to stop messing with your top order and gain some stability . It is not helping any one of those players ( Gripper, Rennie or Wishart), nor Grant Flower for that matter. I think you should open with Goodwin as he has opened here in West Australia and possesses both technique and temperament to succeed there. Campbell should face his demons rather than hide at 5, he should bat at 3 his talent can't stay dormant forever. Johnson is no number 4, bat Andy Flower there and rid him of the gloves. Put a little more faith in Guy Whittal and use him at 5 leaving 6 for Johnson. Bring in a promising gloveman from your youth program and bat him at seven. The bowling picks itself as long as everyone is fit and in form so my optimum Zimbabwe 12 in batting order is:

1. G.Flower 2. M.Goodwin 3. A.Campbell 4. A.Flower 5. G.Whittall 6. N.Johnson 7. B.Moore-Gordon 8. P.Strang (R.Price) 9. H.Streak (A.Blignaut) 10. B.Strang 11. H.Olonga 12. M.Nkala

I would just like to comment on the dearth of real first class competition in your country. I have a suggestion but am unaware of cost prohibitions within your organisation and the position of sponsorships and so on. I propose that Mashonaland field two sides, the other being called Harare, and with Matabeleland making three Zimbabwean sides. Invite Kenya and Namibia to compete and put forward a proposal to South Africa to field a composite team drawn from their "B" competition, call them Impalas. This would give a first-class competition of six teams, benefiting all involved, surely a step forward for African cricket. At a later date sides such as Manicaland, Midlands and other sides from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya can join as cricket grows in these countries. Kenya would have a view to grow strong enough to start their own competition, withdrawing when and if this occurs. Maybe all this is cost- prohibitive but the benefits are obvious and if some way of funding could be sourced, be they government help from the respective countries, sponsorship, television and definitely some ICC help as well as from the respective cricket boards then I believe this route to improve African cricket would be worthwhile pursuing. Thank you.

Reply: Thanks very much for your interesting ideas.

GR Douglas Welsh (Hawick & Wilton Cricket Club, Borders region, Scotland)

Hi. I was just wondering what the situation was with Stuart Carlisle who played for our club during the summer last year but seems to have disappeared from the scene. Thanks.

Reply: He's still around, still playing, but hasn't scored many runs although given opportunities against the Australians. He seems out of the reckoning at the moment, but as a dedicated and determined batsman I'm sure we'll be hearing more of him in the near future.

Ray Khan (USA)

Your biography of Ray Price was just terrific !!! This guy has overcome a lot to be even invited to play at Test Level. I wish him the best of luck!

I know he didn't get much of a score in his debut but could you post an 'action' picture of his on your newsletter.

And the last thing -- I believe, you doing a GREAT service to Zimbabwe cricket through your newsletters, commentary, Wisden wrap-ups, etc . . . thanks a lot (I have played / play cricket in places like US, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Malaysia, etc --- and totally understand how difficult it is to get the logistics of cricket right in a place where the sport is not too common).

Even though Pakistan is MY TEAM -- I always support Zim against all countries -- especially India, of course ;)

Reply: Thanks very much. I wish we could include more photographs of players but cricket photography in this country is at present badly neglected and we don't have the resources at present even to include any we do find. Hopefully next year will be better . . !

Mark Nelson (Australia)

I am an Australian who follows the Zimbabwe national side with great interest as I am a supporter of the underdog in any sport. Cricket On-line is a welcome addition to the ZCU, I read it with great interest. I have a few questions: firstly, when will Heath Streak and Paul Strang be available? There is little doubt that Zimbabwe's recent decline in form is greatly due to the absence of Streak and Strang. It really does weaken the already suspect bowling stocks when you have two proven world-class performers on the sidelines.

Secondly, with Graeme Hick rarely picked for England's national side these days, have there been any efforts to try and lure him back to his country of birth? And finally here is my Test team in batting order that when fit would do well against most international teams: G.Flower G.Rennie M.Goodwin A.Campbell N.Johnson A.Flower G.Whittall P.Strang H.Streak B.Strang H.Olonga.

Reply: Thanks very much. Heath Streak it is hoped will be able to play in the triangular tournament in South Africa, but Paul Strang considers he may even be doubtful for the tour of the West Indies. As for Graeme Hick, he appears to be firmly settled in England, and even if he did return to Zimbabwe he would, according to ICC regulations, have to spend four years re-qualifying after his last international match for England.

Sam Chadwick (Australia)

I am Sam Chadwick, a 17-year-old born and bred South Australian who is heavily involved in cricket. I have played in junior South Australian cricket development squads and play for the Adelaide Cricket Club at grade level (the team which Test quick Jason Gillespie plays for).

I live in a cricket-crazy state and country which is I am sure you are aware is very patriotic and surely loves its cricket. Despite all this I have become a huge follower of the Zimbabwe cricket team and their path to success ever since the summer of 1994/95.

I continually search any possible source to find out how the team is currently doing in its games and living in such a strong Test-playing nation it is sometimes hard to discover information about the team. Thanks to the internet I have been able to keep up with the team's efforts during all their games. I hardly ever get to see them play so when they finally got to play the Australians in a Test it was not only a dream come true for the team itself but me as well. Despite strong questioning from my fellow Australians the Zimbabwe cricket team holds a special place with me and I hope they can continue to work their way up to the heights of success they deserve.

It gives me a great thrill to hear of the team's successes and in particular my all-time favorite player Andy Flower. Being a left-handed top-order batsmen like Andy I love the way he plays the game and have constantly admired his cricketing success. Neil Johnson is a favourite of mine much to the fact of his attacking style of play and how he has been very much so Australia's menace during the World Cup, the Test match and ODIs. Murray Goodwin is certainly special to me considering he was once an Australian like me.

I am a proud Zimbabwe follower who is proud of supporting the team and certainly lets people know. I would love for the team to be made aware of my support and would love any feedback possible. It would be great if the next time the team tours Australia I would be able to meet up with my heroes and speak to the likes of Andy Flower and Neil Johnson. I wish the team all the best for their upcoming matches - good luck! My email is - itschady@hotmail.com.

Go Zimbabwe!!!!!!!!!! All the best.

Reply: Thanks very much; it's great to hear of your support for Zimbabwean cricket. We will pass on a copy of your letter to the team.