ZIMBABWE cricket team batting coach Grant Flower believes the team will need to raise their game to turn the tables against hosts New Zealand in a month-long tour that begins this week. The two sides are set to clash in a one-off Test next week and will also play three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches in February.
Zimbabwe's travelling party, which included 15 players, left Harare yesterday on a journey that took them via Johannesburg, Qatar, and Australia. They are expected in New Zealand today.
Flower, a former Zimbabwe opening batsman, said the team has made significant strides in developing the game and now needs to start reaping rewards for their hard work. But he believes New Zealand are not easy opponents in their background. "I think this is very challenging because New Zealand are hard to beat in their own conditions. "It's going to be a big task but we are fairly well prepared for it," said Flower.
This will be Zimbabwe's first tour away from home since their return to Test cricket last year with a memorable 130-run win over Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club. But they lost the next two Test matches to Pakistan and New Zealand. However, Zimbabwe will be hoping to raise their game in New Zealand to show they belong to the elite league. Zimbabwe's batting has improved in recent times and last year they turned on an inspired show in a record chase as they hunted down New Zealand's 329 to win by one wicket with one ball remaining in the third ODI at Queens Sports Club. They also gave a spirited fightback in the Test match which they lost by 34 runs despite an aggressive batting performance inspired by skipper Brendan Taylor's ton.
Flower said the players should get used to the spotlight to achieve their goal. "Playing Test cricket means we are continuously being watched and assessed," said Flower. "It's something these guys have got to get used to. So we always need to be prepared mentally and perform to our best. "We played well against them the last time and we hope to improve on that. "I believe it was a combination of hard work and executing skills well under pressure, which all comes from mental toughness. "We have got to adapt quickly to the conditions because the ball swings pretty quickly in New Zealand at this time."
Zimbabwe have in their fold a number of experienced players like Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura and will reunite with captain Taylor who has been playing T20 cricket in New Zealand. The 25-year-old batsman has had a fruitful stint with the bat playing for Wellington Firebirds during the HRV Cup in the last few weeks. Zimbabwe will play New Zealand XI in a three-day warm-up game starting this Saturday.
Assistant coach Stephen Mangongo believes the Test match that comes afterwards, from January 26-30, will provide the real litmus test. Despite missing opening batsman Vusi Sibanda, who was ineligible for selection in line with the ZC Cricket Committee policy, Mangongo said they have a balanced side. Seamers Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis and Shingi Masakadza are expected to spearhead the attack. "This tour is important in terms of playing and adapting to new conditions in Test cricket. "It's a real test for us and at the same time it's an opportunity to prove ourselves. "We need to play and win these games time and again if we want to be respected. Self-belief is important in this regard. "It's fantastic to be in the position of the underdogs because there is less pressure," said Mangongo.
We need to up the game: GF
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CrimsonAvenger
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We need to up the game: GF
http://allafrica.com/stories/201201170970.html
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betterdays
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Re: We need to up the game: GF
"fantastic" is a word used to describe something unexpectantly pleasant! lots of lip service ... but the balance is not what it was minus opening bat and first change bowler. let's just get started now ... see if our fears can be allayed !!! Seems it will be Shingi (hard to argue with), has there been strong indication of who will open (Matsi?)? Guess we'll see in the warm up game. Looking forward to that, and getting the tour started .. roll on the weekend
Re: We need to up the game: GF
Mangongo comes up with some nonsense again .
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FlowerPower
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Re: We need to up the game: GF
I agree, we are weaker/lighter without those two, but like you I await to see if the replacements can allay our fears. Doubt Matsi will open or be in the Test side...tend to agree with you vis-a-vis Shingi, although, I would have gone with Meth (for his swing and control), as we already have quick (Jarvis) strike (Vitori) in the attack...but wont begrudge him the right, he has earned it, but I would never replace Mpofu with Shingi, Meth is a closer fit, Shingi is in direct competition with Jarvis and Vitori in my humble opinion (but what do I know?)...betterdays wrote:"fantastic" is a word used to describe something unexpectantly pleasant! lots of lip service ... but the balance is not what it was minus opening bat and first change bowler. let's just get started now ... see if our fears can be allayed !!! Seems it will be Shingi (hard to argue with), has there been strong indication of who will open (Matsi?)? Guess we'll see in the warm up game. Looking forward to that, and getting the tour started .. roll on the weekend
1. Mawoyo 2. Duffin 3. Sibanda 4. Taylor 5. Masakadza 6. Williams 7. Chakabva 8. Creamer 9. Jarvis 10. Rainsford 11. Mpofu
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betterdays
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Re: We need to up the game: GF
I would have Meth too! not too sure who i'd go for between BV, SM or KJ but I think we can probably all agree the opening bowlers are, still, a settled pair!FlowerPower wrote:, I would have gone with Meth (for his swing and control), as we already have quick (Jarvis) strike (Vitori) in the attack...but wont begrudge him the right, he has earned it, but I would never replace Mpofu with Shingi, Meth is a closer fit, Shingi is in direct competition with Jarvis and Vitori in my humble opinion (but what do I know?)...
Re: We need to up the game: GF
Shingi's first class record is exeptional. time and time again he has got 5 wicket haul and also four wickets. Care to look at how many of these hauls Payangara and Ncube have got? because it aint many
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FlowerPower
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Re: We need to up the game: GF
I could have missed a point but I dont think anyone doubts Shingi or he is inferior to Panyangara or Ncube (actually dont see where the comparison comes from). Shingi as I said has earned his spot but he is up agaist Vitori and Jarvis for speed and strike...Mpofu replacement is more Meth for his control which Shingi isnt known for...in my humble opinion.jimbo wrote:Shingi's first class record is exeptional. time and time again he has got 5 wicket haul and also four wickets. Care to look at how many of these hauls Payangara and Ncube have got? because it aint many
1. Mawoyo 2. Duffin 3. Sibanda 4. Taylor 5. Masakadza 6. Williams 7. Chakabva 8. Creamer 9. Jarvis 10. Rainsford 11. Mpofu
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takleg
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Re: We need to up the game: GF
Ja, couldn't agree more. Shingi has pace and an out swinger(which Allan Wilkins labelled "predictable" during that World Cup game against Pak), but he doesn't have as much control as Meth.
Vusi, Mawoyo, H.Masakadza, Taylor, Ervine, Williams, Mutumbami, S.Masakadza, Meth, Price, Jarvis
Re: We need to up the game: GF
What scares me with Shingi , is his economy he takes wickets but at a cost ( not economical).
Re: We need to up the game: GF
(Shingi and Meth) why choose Meth,neither of them have really played a match winning innings...i'd opt for a 2nd spinner(Cremer) now there's a guy with experience,he gets the job done