Holistic training approach for batsmen

Sport
By Don MakanyangaThe Zimbabwe national cricket team has embarked on an intensive batting training programme ahead of the upcoming Twenty20 (T20) tri-nation series to be held in Harare next week. 

The national team, which has in the past exhibited poor batting leading to a series of poor results on the scoreboard, has seen the technical department engaging a one-on-one batting training programme.

The upcoming tri-nation series is part of the T20 World Cup preparation games to be held in Sri-Lanka in September. In an interview with Standardsport, national team coach Stephen Mangongo said the technical department was now engaging players on a one-on-one batting practice in preparation of the upcoming tri-nation series and the T20 World Cup.

“We have taken a holistic approach to our batting front where we are engaging players on a one-on-one batting training session ahead of the upcoming tri-nation series and the World Cup,” Mangongo said.

With conditions in sub-continent favouring spin, Zimbabwe’s batsmen will have the chance to face top spin and fast bowlers from Bangladesh and South Africa respectively before the World Cup kicks off.

Mangongo welcomed this development saying it would enable the technical department to closely monitor the team’s weaknesses.

“The guys will be tested on their points of weakness in this upcoming tour and this will enable the technical department to rectify the areas and come with strong combinations for the World Cup,” he said.

 

In a bid to have a balanced bowling and batting front, the national team assistant coach said they had identified some players with potential in batting and was working with such players to support specialist batsmen.

“We have identified some all-rounders like Shingi Masakadza and Prosper Utseya who have lot of potential with the bat and we are now working on improving their batting.

“We feel these all-rounders will contribute immensely and support our specialist batsmen and it also brings balance to the bowling and batting structures within the team,” Mangongo said.

Zimbabwe are the underdogs of Group C T20 World Cup which has South Africa and hosts Sri-Lanka.