A Taylor We Can Trust

challenge to lead the team back on the Test arena.
Taylor’s appointment was announced after a board meeting held at the Harare Sports Club.
He becomes the first white captain of the Zimbabwe team, since a major fallout that split the game, and his appointment confirms the ZC position that its policies are not guided by race.
The 25-year old right-handed batsman takes over from all-rounder Elton Chigumbura who appeared to have been overwhelmed by the big responsibilities in the last 12 months.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Ozias Bvute yesterday said the Board was fully behind Taylor’s appointment and wished him well.
“We have watched Taylor develop into a mature, experienced player and we stand fully behind him in his new role,” said Bvute.
Taylor is one of the experienced players in the Zimbabwe side.
The 25-year old right-handed batsman has played 10 Tests, 118 ODIs and 33 Twenty20 matches for Zimbabwe.
He has 11 ODI centuries under his belt and a top score of 145 not out against South Africa last year.
Taylor said he was looking forward to a new era as Zimbabwe captain, with their first Test in six years coming in August against Bangladesh.
“It’s a great honour and privilege to be named captain of the Zimbabwe cricket team.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and I hope to work with my teammates continuing from where Elton left off.
“We have a big point to prove. We want to go out there and play some good cricket and show to the world that we deserve to be playing Test cricket competitively,” said Taylor.
His immediate task as captain will be to lead the Zimbabwe XI team in a triangular one-day series against touring Australia and South Africa ‘A’ sides next week.
A final 15-member squad to take part in the series was announced yesterday after six weeks of preparations.
Top order batsman Hamilton Masakadza, who missed the World Cup due to poor form, bounced back into the picture after he was included in the squad.
There are few surprises in the squad with Southern Rocks’ left arm fast bowler Brian Vitori, Mountaineers upcoming paceman Tendai Chatara and Mashonaland Eagles’ Forster Mutizwa making their way in.
Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatennda Taibu, Craig Ervine, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu and Prosper Utseya kept their places in the side.
But there were no places for the likes of Greg Lamb, Chamunorwa Chibhabha and Shingi Masakadza who were named in a 13-member squad for a two-day practice game against Australia A on July 11.
Leg spinner Graeme Cremer was ruled out because of injury while Mawoyo could not be considered for the one-day series because of knee injury.
Edward Rainsford and Charles Coventry could be the surprise omissions from both squads.
“We had an excellent preparation for the assignments and the guys have been working really hard in practice.
“It’s going to be a tough series though because Australia and South Africa are bringing very good sides.
“We are looking forward to the challenge although we faced some few setbacks with injuries to some of our players.
“But we have a balanced team and I think the guys picked up will do everything to prove their worth.
“Cricket in Zimbabwe has been coming up excellently with the introduction of the franchise system.
“This has brought big changes and a new ethic in our game,” said Taylor.
The triangular series will run from June 29 – July 8 at the Harare Sports Club.
After the final match of the one-day triangular series, the Zimbabwe XI will host Australia A in a two-day warm-up match at Kwekwe Sports Club, beginning on the 11th of July.
Zimbabwe A and Australia A will then wrap up the tour with two four-day games in July.
The Australia A cricket team is expected to arrive in Harare tomorrow while South Africa will be coming in on Monday.
The Australia A squad, which appears strong on paper, will be led by Tim Paine, with Callum Ferguson as his deputy.
Former Australia bowling great Jason Gillespie will be among the tourists as assistant to coachTroy Cooley.
Gillespie spent the last season coaching Midwest Rhinos in the domestic franchise league.
The Australians are hoping to benefit much from Gillespie’s experience and understanding of the conditions in Zimbabwe as many of the players in the squad are coming here for the first time.
According to Cricket Australia, the touring squad, which left yesterday ,has been in camp for weeks at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
Michael Beer, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza, Philip Hughes and Peter Siddle have been included in the squad for the four-day games and will join the team in Harare on July 7.
They will replace Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keeefe, Mathew Wade and John Hastings who will play in the limited overs games only.
Zimbabwe should not expect an easy outing as the Australian players are taking this tour as a platform for recognition for places in the first team for their impending tour to Sri Lanka.
Coach Cooley told the Cricket Australia website that they have prepared well for the tour.
“We’ve had a good few weeks up here at the Centre of Excellence and all the players are looking fit and ready to go.
“This series provides all players with a great opportunity to play some quality opposition, but also for them to really put their name in front of the selectors ahead of the Australian squads being named for the tour of Sri Lanka. They are hungry to get into match conditions and to test themselves against good opposition in conditions that are probably quite foreign to most
“We’re all really looking forward to getting over to Zimbabwe and challenging ourselves. A few of the players have some limited experience playing over there on a Centre of Excellence tour a few years ago, but for most it will be a new experience.
“Although the surroundings will be new, as a group, we have been working closely for the past few weeks and the squad is really gelling well and enjoying each other’s company and I know that unity will hold us in good stead for the tour,” said Cooley.
The triangular series, which also involves a South African A side, will begin on Wednesday when Zimbabwe engage the Aussies at Harare Sports Club.
The three teams will engage each other twice before the final on July 8.
The South Africa A side is expected on Monday.
They have in their ranks Allan Donald who might also have an insight of the Zimbabwean game after spending the last season with Manicaland franchise Mountaineers.
Zim ODI Squad
Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva, Malcom Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Forster Mutizwa, Prosper Utseya, Keegan Meth, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, Brian Vitori.
Warm-up Squad
Vusimuzi Sibanda (Captain), Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Gregory Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Natsai Mushangwe, Forster Mutizwa, Njabulo Ncube, Tinashe Panyangara, Malcolm Waller.
Tour schedule
29 June 2011 Zimbabwe XI v Australia A (Harare Sports Club)
30 June 2011 Australia A v South Africa A (Harare Sports Club)
02 July 2011 Zimbabwe XI v South Africa A (Harare Sports Club)
03 July 2011 Zimbabwe XI v Australia A (Harare Sports Club)
05 July 2011 Australia A v South Africa A (Harare Sports Club)
06 July 2011 Zimbabwe XI v South Africa A (Harare Sports Club)
08 July 2011 Final(Harare Sports Club)
11-12 July 2011 – 2-day Tour matchZim XI v Australia A (Kwekwe Sports Club)
15-18 July 2011 – 4-day matchAustralia A v Zimbabwe XI (Country Club)
21-24 July 2011 – 4-day matchAustralia A v Zimbabwe XI (Harare Sports Club).