Aussies have landed

Australia A team arrived in Harare on a tour rich in both the quality of cricketers it brings and the positive vibes it broadcasts.
Until now, Australian cricket sides had been playing just about everywhere, except in Zimbabwe, as cricket became trapped in the politics that dominated relations between the two countries.
The last Australian side to play in Zimbabwe came here eight years ago when Ricky Pointing and his men played a World Cup game in Bulawayo en-route to their triumph in South Africa.
But the barriers that had frozen Zimbabwe out of the global game are falling apart and the ZC authorities are finally reaping rewards for their thrust to improve the national team and, crucially, to engage a hostile world that unjustly punished them.
Zimbabwe are set to return to the Test arena soon, New Zealand have opened the way for the country’s cricketers to tour the island next January and there is buzz within the domestic cricket structures that the good times are about to roll again.
The tour by the strong Aussie A side is being used as part of the preparations for Zimbabwe’s return to the Test arena where they will be led by new skipper Brendan Taylor.
Former Australia paceman, Jason Gillespie, who had a stint here as the MidWest Rhinos coach, is part of the Australia A coaching staff.
Yesterday he said Zimbabwe should brace up for a tough challenge when they face a very strong Australia A cricket side in a triangular series that begins this week.
Gillespie was part of the Australia A delegation that arrived in Harare yesterday ahead of the series, which also involves South Africa A, and two four-day games against Zimbabwe XI.
The 36-year old, who coached Kwekwe franchise MidWest Rhinos last season, returned to Zimbabwe in a new role as assistant to Troy Cooley in the Australian second string side during the tour.
Gillespie was excited to come back to Zimbabwe with the team and hailed the revival of cricket relations between Australia and the hosts.
“It is nice to come back and be involved with Australian cricket in a small capacity and should be a really good tour. It has been quite a long time for various reasons but to come back here in Zimbabwe, I think for Australian cricket, is fantastic and for Zimbabwe cricket it’s wonderful. Also to think that New Zealand were here last year is wonderful,” he said.
Gillespie said he was looking forward to some competitive games during the series and the four-day games.
“Our squad is very strong. We have a good bowling unit and the batting line-up is very good.
“It’s going to be hard work for the Zimbabweans but it will be a very good series,” said Gillespie, who is set to return to Rhinos at the start of the new season.
The Australian team will be led by 26-year old wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine as captain with Callum Ferguson as his deputy.
The Australians will start the ball rolling against a Zimbabwe XI on Wednesday.
Gillespie said they have ready for the tour and were looking forward to the challenges.
“This is a young side that has been doing well and now they come up against a national side.
“It’s going to be pretty hard but they have prepared really well.
“Hopefully we are going to do well against a well-built Zimbabwe A,” said Gillespie.
The Australian team is made up of players eager to prove a point and get recognition in the selection of the national team as competition for places intensify ahead of their commitment in Sri Lanka in August.
The selectors have also included youngsters like Mitch Starc, Nic Maddison and Mitchell Marsh who are future prospects for Cricket Australia.
“It is a good opportunity for Australia A because they are coming up against other international sides. It’s a very important series for the development of the Australian cricket. We are really looking forward to the series.
“Australia A are taking the series seriously because it’s important. It is very important that we prepare well and perform well.
“It’s these guys who are the next Australian Test players,” said Gillespie.
The squad has been in camp for three weeks at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane preparing for the tour.
Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keeefe, Mathew Wade and John Hastings will return home after the limited overs games.
They will be replaced by Michael Beer, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza, Philip Hughes and Peter Siddle who were named in the squad for the four-day games, and will join the team in Harare on July 7.
Meanwhile, South Africa A are expected this morning with a strong squad coached by Vincent Barnes. Former Mountaineers coach Allan Donald will also be in the travelling party as his assistant.
Australia A Squad
Tim Paine (captain), Callum Ferguson, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, John Hastings, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddison, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Stephen O’Keefe, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mathew Wade, David Warner.