Dubai, February 10: Zimbabwe are not strong enough to lift the World Cup, but they are capable of shocking some of the strong teams. For a team that has gone through a lot of turmoil recently due to their country’s political situation and an exile from Test cricket, every win can boost their sagging image.
They are currently training for the World Cup in Dubai at the International Cricket Council’s Global Cricket Academy. All players looked fit, bubbling with confidence, and raring to go.
The team confidence was visible in their warm-up match last Sunday against Ireland at the Global Cricket Academy ground. They won by six wickets with 37 balls to spare.
On Tuesday, they then scored a comfortable win over Netherlands. After piling up 249 runs, they restricted Netherlands to 134. The star performer in both matches was their opener Brendan Taylor who cracked an unbeaten 84 against Ireland and then followed it up with a half century against Netherlands.
If Taylor is able to carry his form to the World Cup, and together with his partner Charles Coventry, can provide a brisk start, that can get them to a good total. In the middle order they have left-handed Craig Ervine and Sean Williams. They also have a nice bunch of allrounders starting with their skipper Elton Chigumbura, all of whom can all chip in with good scores. Wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu, who became the youngest Test captain at the age of 21 in 2004, can also play a big role with the bat and behind the stumps.
To sharpen their batting strength, Brian Lara has been appointed as their batting consultant. This legendary batsman’s guidance could help Zimbabwe in posting impressive totals.
Unfortuantely, their pace attack is not strong enough to provide the early breakthrough. Chris Mpofu, their tall right-arm pacer, who has played in the 2007 World Cup, has improved as a fine away swinger and even sharpened his yorker.
Rising to the challenge
Ed Rainsford is also quick while Chigumbura can also bowl at around 140kmph; but all the three will have to rise to the challenge on sub-continent wickets that may not assist them at all.
But Zimbabwe’s big strength is their spin attack, and is likely to depend heavily on them. While speaking to Chigumbara at the Global Academy, he candidly admitted: “Our spinners are our strength and they have been consistent for the last three years. Our batters can do well, but they need to be consistent.”
If their spinners are not backed by a good total, even their strength in this department can go wasted. Six-feet tall right-arm off break bowler Greg Lamb can be very effective. Ray Price with his slow left-arm orthodox spin and Graeme Cremer’s leg break googly can pose problems for batsmen.
Zimbabwe has never made it to the semifinals; but to achieve that glory, their players must be able to maintain consistency. When Lara was asked about the team at the Global Academy, he said: “Zimbabwe should aim to improve with every game. Their performance graph should keep rising and not falling.”
This tournament is a challenge for their experienced coach Alan Butcher, who also admitted that “his boys are talented and are hungry to improve and become a better side.” Only a concentrated effort can help them create ripples in the World Cup.
—-Agencies