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Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
THE recent three-match One-Day International series between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands was a match-up between two nations that have more in common than they might admit.
Cricket has, traditionally, played second fiddle to football in both nations.
In Zimbabwe, it is considered the second most popular sport, while in the Netherlands it is even ranked lower than field hockey and, surprisingly, korfball.
But the future of cricket in these two countries seems to lie in the shorter version of the game, as this is the area in which both nations appear to have had some modicum of success recently. They both had moderately successful stints at last year’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, making it through the preliminary stages.
They left the tournament with memorable scalps, with Zimbabwe beating Pakistan by one run, while Netherlands managed a 13-runs victory over South Africa in the Super 12 stage.
While the similarities are endless, the most important one before the Dutchmen’s visit was their elimination from the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
They currently occupy the bottom two places, with Zimbabwe in 12th position at 65 points, followed by the Dutch, who anchor the log standings with 35 points.
Under normal circumstances, this should have muted their encounter at Harare Sports Club as there was very little to play for.
But cricket being cricket, the two combined to put up a show during the three-match series, which Zimbabwe won 2-1.
Both teams had indicated that they would use the series to prepare for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which Zimbabwe will host from June 18 to July 9.
The series highlighted the game’s evolution.
Below are three major talking points, at least from a Zimbabwean perspective.
Cricket is still alive and kicking
It seems fortuitous that Zimbabwe will host the 50-over World Cup qualifiers not long after hosting the T20 version last year.
Around the same time last year, the stars seemed to align, as Zimbabwe Cricket also finally put a stop to the disastrous Lalchand Rajput experiment and brought in a tried, tested and beloved former captain, Dave Houghton, as coach.
Houghton gave cricketers the freedom to play their game and express themselves.
A string of positive results followed, as Zimbabwe finished the qualifiers undefeated, beating the Netherlands in the final.
They went on to make history by scoring their first victory over Australia in Australia.
And, as the saying goes, success brings seats to the stadiums, or, in this case, grounds.
After the suspension of football activities by FIFA, most fans have switched to the Chevrons.
The fans will be needed again to fill up Harare Sports Club, especially now that the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland and, maybe, South Africa will be visiting.
This is a completely different proposition as compared to Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Jersey, Singapore, Uganda and the United States, who were part of the cast last year.
Top-order woes
One of the continuing sub-plots of the Chevrons’ game, regardless of the format, is the lack of a proper and consistent opening pair.
In fact, over the last few years, the Chevrons’ top order has been suspect at best.
The year 2022 was Sikandar Raza’s best.
The 34-year-old was often called to rescue the team because of frailties at the top of the order.
Never was that more apparent than during the just-ended series.
With the exception of the third and final ODI, Zimbabwe relied heavily on the middle and lower order, with young Clive Madande’s back-to-back half-centuries saving the Chevrons from embarrassment.
Chasing 249 in the first ODI, Madande top-scored for the Chevrons with 74 runs off 98 balls.
He was ably assisted by Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava, sharing a 70-run eighth-wicket partnership and a 66-run ninth-wicket partnership, respectively.
Despite the valiant effort, the team, however, lost the match.
In the second match, Madande scored another half-century (52 runs off 57 runs) and found assistance in the returning Sean Williams (77), with the two sharing a 104-run sixth-wicket partnership that helped Zimbabwe cross the line.
The only time the Zimbabwe openers showed up was during the third and final ODI, as Craig Ervine (33), Wesley Madhevere (50), Gary Ballance (64) and Williams (43) put up solid figures that gave their team a firm foundation.
The top-order woes and opening pair are some of the issues Houghton and his players will need to address soon, before World Cup qualifiers start.
Young Turks’ moment in the sun
Williams was aptly named player of the series, and deservedly so, but one needs to reserve some praise for the duo of Madande and Madhevere.
Madande deserves credit for the back-to-back half-centuries and Madhevere for recording his first ODI hat-trick.
“Wes (Madhevere) once again showed the potential he has during the Netherlands series, as he played really well at the top of the order,” said Chevrons’ assistant coach Stuart Matsikenyeri.
Twitter: @Nashaar
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