Butcher rallies troops

runs on the board to give themselves a chance for a victory against Pakistan today, which might just open a small window of hope in their battle to remain alive in this World Cup.
It’s shootout time at the Pallekele International Stadium in this day/night match with Pakistan aware that a win today will secure them a place in the Super Eight and, at the same time, end the faint hopes of the only team in Group A capable of stealing the ticket from them.
It’s certainly not that easy for Zimbabwe as a win might not be enough, given their net run rate, and they will also need to beat Kenya comprehensively in their last match in Kolkata, India, on Sunday and hope that Pakistan are also destroyed by champions Australia.
Questions have inevitably been asked about the quality, or rather the lack of it, of this Zimbabwean team after three sub-200 totals against New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka and their only victory, so far, was a comprehensive win against a Canada side they were expected to beat.
While their bowling and fielding, without being first class, has been effective, their batting has been a problem and, with analysts keeping a close check on Zimbabwe ahead of its return to Test cricket later this year, their performance at this World Cup has attracted widespread coverage.
Admittedly Zimbabwe’s show has been frustrating, with the team failing to find the touch in all key departments in one game, and on the occasions they fielded well, against the Aussies, their batting was crudely exposed before the New Zealand openers made a mockery of their total, and their bowlers, in a 10-wicket defeat.
By the time Zimbabwe arrived here for the two-match Sri Lanka leg of their World Cup tour, the big issue was about the opening batting partnership and, when the promotion of Regis Chakabva gave Brendan Taylor a partner to trust, others did not come to the party and nine wickets fell for 72 runs against Sri Lanka.
Yesterday Butcher, the Englishman tasked with shaping Zimbabwe back into a Test playing side, faced the media at the Pallekele International Stadium and gave an honest, if not brutal, assessment of his team ahead of today’s big tie against Pakistan.
“Our biggest problem is to put a total on the board, and that’s what has been our problem so far,” said Butcher.
“I have been happy with the way the team has performed in the field, most of the time we bowled well and I think we fielded very well but we haven’t been able to put a total.
“We haven’t got to 200 yet (except against Canada) and tomorrow (today) will be an excellent day to (do it).
“Our targets were to play our best game, what we thought was our best game according to our game plans and not to concern ourselves much with the opposition because we had to play our best game to win the matches against the stronger countries.
“So, in that respect, I have to say ‘no’ we haven’t reached our targets because I think, as I said, on the bowling front, I think the side has performed but you can’t win many matches against good sides if you only get 170 or 180.”
Butcher challenged his batsmen to perform and said even if the team loses there was need to go down with dignity after they had put a decent score on the board.
He noted that players who regularly play Test cricket also condition themselves to staying longer on the crease and also dealing with the challenges that come with pressure and his players, right now, were missing out on that.
Butcher said Zimbabwean cricket was slowly retaining its competitive edge, after a tough period for the team back home, but it will take time to fine-tune the national team into a side that can compete favourably on big stages like the World Cup.
“I felt that at the start of this World Cup that the tournament was probably a bit soon for this group of players,” said Butcher.
“In four years time, they will be older, wiser, more experienced, better technically and, hopefully, a few more would have come into the side.
“I think in the future you will see a better and more competitive Zimbabwe team.
“I doubt if they will be world beaters the way Australia have been or West Indies, India or Pakistan but I think we could be a competitive side and one that teams could fear because of our ability to spring a surprise on our day.”
Butcher said there was no need to believe that his side could not get a positive result against Pakistan.
“Zimbabwe has a history of upsets and we have sprung a couple in recent history. I don’t think it’s beyond their capability,” said Butcher.
“If we are able tomorrow (today) to put a realistic target on the board, we have a bowling attack that can make it difficult for many teams to chase down the total but, as I say, it’s just about getting enough runs. We must post a competitive target.
“We need to get a competitive target of a minimum of 250 and, I think, we’ll have a chance against most teams.
“Other teams in the tournament will look at a total of 250 as below par but our recent history suggests that we don’t get 300 very often and we have to be realistic with a target that we can attain but also we can defend because we have done that before.”
Butcher also gave an insight of the challenges that he faces trying to mould this team into a competitive one.
“I think it would be true to say that the players in our team who handle the pressure best, and probably are better equipped technically, are obviously our spin bowlers and they are also strong characters and two of our spinners,
(Prosper) Utseya and (Graeme) Cremer, have got runs regularly in difficult situations,” said the Englishman.
“If I’m brutally honest, and we had this conversation with the players a couple of days ago, there are technical deficiencies that are letting them down.
“Whereas most international coaches are probably not working on eradicating technical faults because the system has got players to test cricket at a reasonable level, as far as technique is concerned, we are asked to work at that level and we are trying to get that part sorted out and while you are trying to organise yourselves, it’s difficult to worry about the opponents or get time to analyse the opposition so much.
“I can’t fault the way the players have tried to put it right, they have worked very hard in the nets and the coaching staff have been excellent in trying to help players overcome the problems of scoring runs.
“But for everybody, myself, the players and the coaching staff, it’s very frustrating.”
Butcher said his men will need someone to bat for most of the innings and hope that he gets considerable help from the others for them to compete today.
Asked about the form of his skipper Elton Chigumbura, and whether the captaincy had eroded his ability to score runs and also take wickets, Butcher said:
“I’m not sure whether the captaincy is weighing on him but obviously his lack of form is. He is honest enough to admit that.
“But he keeps practicing, trying to work harder and trying to turn things around because he’s got enough ability.
“He has been working on a few technical issues this week and hopefully they will pay dividends when he gets to the crease.”
The Zimbabwe coach also commended the big influence that Shahid Afridi, the skipper, has on the Pakistan team.
“I think he’s still the leading wicket taker.
“His influence on the Pakistan team has been immense. Good bowlers are good bowlers,” said Butcher.