Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons have wasted no time in getting down to business since arriving in Bulawayo ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa scheduled for Queens Sports Club starting Saturday.
Since arrival last Friday, they have been holding practice sessions at the match venue.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, captain Craig Ervine said the next few weeks, which also sees them play New Zealand in two Tests, will be interesting.
The opportunity to host the World Test Championship (WTC) champions South Africa and New Zealand, he said, is a big test for them.
“It’s big, anytime you get to play against world champions it’s always a big occasion. South Africa and New Zealand are big opponents for us and we are going to be tested across the two months. It’s exciting to have that opportunity to really put your game to the test. The boys are really looking forward to it,” said Ervine.
The Chevrons and Proteas had a scheduled warm-up match at Arundel in England for the benefit of SA ahead of the WTC final against Australia. However, only one day of play was possible due to weather but Ervine said they did pick up a few notes, adding that they will be using this week to try and cover all their basics.
“We only got the one day’s play and looking at their bowling unit, a couple of guys will be missing in this series but a few other guys who were there will be coming. We took a little bit out of it, the skill level is up there on their part so it would be a lot of work for us over the next week or so, to get all the basics covered and hopefully the boys will be ready next weekend,” said Ervine.
Zimbabwe will be missing some of their regulars for this series.
Richard Ngarava (lower back injury) and Ben Curran (finger fracture) are unavailable. Uncapped seamer Kundai Matigimu earned his maiden Test call-up, while Prince Masvaure and Takudzwanashe Kaitano return to bolster the top order.
Vincent Masekesa has also been recalled.
The veteran Chevrons skipper said it’s a good opportunity for the players who have returned to the national set-up and the new ones.
“It’s an opportunity for the guys that have come in, we should look at it that way. We have played a lot of Test cricket this year and we still have another six Test matches left in the rest of the year. It’s a good opportunity for the guys that have come in, and I am sure the guys that missed out due to injury will be taking their recovery seriously and looking to get back into it.
“It’s a great opportunity for Kaitano, Matigimu and Vincent to be back in the Test squad here in Bulawayo. We are really excited to have these guys with us and I’m looking forward to what they have to offer,” he said.
The first Test will be played from June 28 to July 2, followed by the second from July 6 to 10, promising a thrilling fortnight of high-quality red-ball cricket on home soil.
Apart from the fact that Zimbabwe will be hosting world champions, what makes this series particularly compelling is that it has been eight years since the Chevrons last faced the Proteas in a Test match. That previous encounter, a four-day affair in 2017, concluded in just two days and 907 deliveries. This will also be South Africa’s first tour of Zimbabwe for Tests in 11 years, having last played red-ball cricket in Zimbabwe in 2014 in a one-off match that the Proteas won by nine wickets at Harare Sports Club.
