Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
QUINTON FRIEND appears to have made a positive impression on Chevrons head coach Justin Sammons as the former South African first-class cricketer has been taking the Zimbabwe bowlers through their paces at Harare Sports Club over the last week or so.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) invited Friend to work with the Zimbabwe senior men’s national team as a consultant bowling coach ahead of the home Test and limited-overs series against Bangladesh that starts next month.
The series, slated for June 28-July 19, will encompass a one-off Test, three One Day Internationals and three T20 matches.
The bowling department has been the focal point of the preparations, with Sammons impressed with how short a time it has taken for Friend to assimilate himself with the group.
The two have been overseeing a large group of 35 players, who include the core Chevrons group and Zimbabwe A players.
“He has been brilliant,” said Sammons.
“Quinton (friend) has come in and made a good impression, and I look forward to the next three months in which we will be working together.
“I think a lot of the players have really gained important bits of information and advice from him that they are taking in and using, which has been great to see,” he said.
A former first-class cricketer, Friend comes with a wealth of experience.
He currently serves as head coach of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins franchise in South Africa. Friend also enjoyed a successful 16-year playing career as a robust right-arm fast-medium bowler before transitioning into coaching.
Now, he has his work cut out for him.
The Chevrons appear to have turned a corner after their fairytale run during the ICC T20 World Cup.
There, Zimbabwe beat Oman, Australia and co-host Sri Lanka on their way to finishing the group stages unbeaten and making a maiden Super Eight appearance at the competition.
Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.
Now, the hope is that the T20 World Cup performance trickles down to the other formats, namely the Test and One Day Internationals.
Bangladesh, however, presents quite the challenge, prompting Sammons and his technical team to get an early jump on their preparations.
“This is a great opportunity to get back into the international scene after the World Cup, and Bangladesh will pose quite the challenge,” said Sammons .
“Preparations started three weeks ago as we headed into a sort of pre-season camp with a large group of players, around 35 players.
“The squad comprises both A-side and national team players, and they have been putting in a good shift.
“We are obviously delighted with that and really happy with how the boys have progressed over the three weeks,” he said.
On his opponents, Bangladesh, Sammons added; “They are a really good side who are playing really good cricket.
“They just beat Pakistan 2-0, which is huge for them.
“Bangladesh have got a very, very strong seam attack, so that’s going to be a great challenge for our guys.
“And, that is another space where we can continually look to improve as we head to 2027 and that World Cup.
“The objectives, going into this series, will be to just keep improving step by step.
“That’s been our main focus for the last two years, and it, obviously, paid off in the World Cup to a certain extent.
“We will keep doing that and see where it takes us,” he said.
Sammons did, however, reveal that while improving in every department will be key, he does want his charges to take the bull by the horns and win the series.
“We have got a long way to go, but, as with any series, we will look to win the series.
“I certainly feel there will be confidence taken from the World Cup performance.
“Confidence and belief that we can compete at that level at a World Cup.
“It’s exciting to see that, and hopefully we continue along those lines, playing a brand where we back our skills,” he said.
