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The technical team has since made their request to the cricket authorities as they feel the need to keep the momentum after beating South Africa by nine wickets to clinch the Pran RFL Twenty20 Series at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Zimbabwe won three of the five games they played during the series, including two victories over the fancied Proteas, and Butcher’s appeal to the authorities is to get at least one more commitment before the World Cup.
“It’s obviously good to beat a bigger side like South Africa and I think everyone enjoyed that.
“We hope to keep the momentum going and if we can play more often, we would be pleased to see that happening again.
“I am happy with that and if we can slot another series between the end of July and August it can help us get a little bit more of practice before the World Cup.
“I hope the authorities will look at that. It’s always nice to get international opposition but if that doesn’t happen, we still have to keep working hard.”
Before the series, Zimbabwe had last played competitive matches in February when they toured New Zealand.
The tournament, although falling outside the Future Tours Programme, also featured Bangladesh and was used by all three teams as part of their preparations for the forthcoming World Cup to be hosted by Sri Lanka in September.
Interestingly, Zimbabwe are in the same pool with South Africa but, unlike their opponents, they do not usually get to play many international matches.
However, Butcher is impressed that the fruits of the work they have done since the beginning of May when they went into camp are showing.
“We played really confidently. Even in the games that we lost there were signs of positive play, which is very encouraging,” said Butcher.
Zimbabwe’s top order has been very impressive during the series, with Hamilton Masakadza in top form.
Masakadza finished with the most runs after plundering 267 in five innings at an average of 66,75 while Brendan Taylor was second highest with 163 at 40,75.
Bowlers Chris Mpofu and Kyle Jarvis also stood their ground among the top performers with 13 wickets between themselves while Graeme Cremer’s all-round qualities were also on display throughout.
But the lower order has been worrying and Zimbabwe will now be looking to the One Day triangular series for A teams featuring South Africa and Sri Lanka next month for more practice.
Besides, it appears they may find it difficult to get more international practice matches as many of the prospective opponents are fully occupied.
Bangladesh will be heading to Europe next month where they are scheduled to play Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands while South Africa A will host Sri Lanka before the national team leaves for England.
South Africa were eager to test different combinations ahead of the World Twenty20 and came to Harare without the services of some of their experienced players like Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
Stand-in captain Hashim Amla, who led the team in the absence of injured Johan Botha, said they learnt their lessons from the tour after giving a number of players chances to prove themselves.
Mangongo said although the Proteas could not bring a full strength team, the players who travelled came with the same intention of winning the series but were outplayed by the hosts.
Online Reporter