THE last time the Zimbabwe cricket team celebrated winning a One Day International (ODI) match was at the 2015 ICC World Cup after recording a battling 4 wicket victory over minnows United Arab Emirates on February 9.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
It was only the second match of the Dav Whatmore coached team’s forgettable World Cup campaign and 10 matches on, Zimbabwe is yet to taste victory.
Today the national team engages the visiting New Zealand team in the first of the three match ODI series at Harare Sports Club, a perfect opportunity for Whatmore’s charges to turn their fortunes around.
It is frustrating that Zimbabwe has built a reputation of being known for just competing well and ending up in defeat. Save for a couple of instances in the last series against Asian giants India, disappointing has been the story of Zimbabwe cricket.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, skipper Elton Chigumbura said the team was buoyed by the 10 run T20 series levelling win recorded against India exactly 14 days ago at today’s match venue.
“Obviously, we take positives from the last game that we won and we have to carry the same attitude come Sunday [today]. Hopefully if we can do that and play our roles in the team I am sure we will have a good result on Sunday,” he said.
Ironically, Chigumbura has to witness the famous victory from the sidelines after pulling his hamstring as stand-in captain Sikandar Raza Butt inspired the team to victory.
In a match that promises an exciting batting contest with New Zealand missing some of their key men, in-form batsman Chamu Chibhabha is expected to yet again shine with the bat.
Earlier in the week Whatmore named a very strong and long batting team, adding wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva to a lineup that already has Chihabha, Chigumbura, Raza Butt, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Irvine as well as Vusi Sibanda.
The intention for Zimbabwe seems to be to put enough runs on the board or alternatively chase down targets with relative ease.
However, Whatmore expressed the need to put the opposition under pressure for long periods.
“In this series we want to make sure we put the opponent under pressure for long periods. We are just looking for an extra ounce of effort, something we have been lacking at crucial moments,” he said.
Such has been the nature of Zimbabwe’s effort when bowling in recent games to leak run at the death following splendid opening and middle fielding spells.
Tinashe Panyangara comes back to lead the attack after overcoming injury and will be ably assisted by Chris Mpofu or Neville Madziva while spinner Graeme Cremer will be vital in slowing down the Black Caps.
New Zealand who come here with a relatively inexperienced side are expecting a tough match against the hosts. “We are expecting a tough series here. Zimbabwe has been playing a lot of one day cricket lately and their effort against India was extremely good. We have a new side and we are looking forward to a tough but excited challenge,” captain Kane Williamson told reporters recently.
India brought a side which had some of their best players missing but ended up coasting to a whitewash victory in the ODIs, something the Black Caps will be keen to emulate.
With players like Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Doug Bracewell and Nathan McCullum, the Black Caps are by no means an easy opposition.
