Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons are on the brink of making history! after SRI LANKA yesterday did Zimbabwe a huge favour as they put a huge dent on Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
The co-hosts edged the former champions, Australia, by eight wickets and booked themselves a spot in the Super Eight stage.
More importantly, the result now means Zimbabwe can join them provided they beat Ireland this morning when the two sides meet at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
And crucial to that Super Eight charge is the duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett, who have been the key cog to Zimbabwe’s success at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup so far.
As the Chevrons gear up for an all-important Group B tie against Ireland this morning, coach Justin Sammons believes the key to success will lie in Zimbabwe’s ability to stick to the game plan.
Bennett has anchored Zimbabwe’s batting during the opening two games, with unbeaten scores of 48 and 69 during wins against Oman and Australia.
Muzarabani, on the other hand, has led Zimbabwe’s bowling charge and currently has six wickets during the two games.
Now, Sammons wants more of that as Zimbabwe seek to take one step closer to the Super Eight stages with a win against Ireland.
“Blessing (Muzarabani) and Brian (Bennett) have been so good, so far, in this tournament, and we want to see more of the same from them,” said Sammons.
“With Blessing, it’s not just in this tournament, but he has been our key bowler for some time, and that’s what he has been doing for us for a long time now.”
“Taking wickets and helping us win games.
“He is a quiet guy who just gets on with his work and is an ultimate professional.”
“I think Brian brings a real calmness for such a young guy, he is extremely mature.
“There’s no panic and nothing seems to faze him, which is unbelievable to see in such a youngster.
“Now, we just pray that their form long continues,” he said.
Sammons wants his charges to stick to the plan, after all, this is what has brought them to the party.
They had a plan going into the match against Australia and stuck to it, and it will serve them well to do it again.
“It was always going to be a tough, tough group, and having a win against Australia in a group like this goes such a long way,” he said. “Progression is still very much in our hands, which is what we want as we move forward to Ireland.
“What has brought us to this point is the way the guys have stuck to the plan.
“Against Australia, we had a clear plan with a bat in which we weren’t going to try out muscle them or allow our egos to get the better of us.
“We were going to stick to a process that worked for us, and everybody with the bat did that, which was amazing.
“Our intensity far outweighed their intensity and the way we ran between the wickets was with a lot more purpose.
“The way we attacked the ball in the field, we had a lot more purpose.
“Now, we have got to keep doing the exact same things.
“Whether it’s Oman, Australia or Ireland, it doesn’t change, you still have to play what’s in front of you,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s win yesterday saw the Asian nation maintain their unbeaten run in the competition and stretch their lead to six points at the top of the Group B standings.
Zimbabwe are second with four points, while Australia and Ireland are tied on two points. Oman have already been eliminated and is anchoring the group standings with zero points.
Australia and Ireland have played one more game and can only finish their campaign with a total of four points from their remaining games.
Ireland play Zimbabwe this morning, while Australia still have a date against Oman left.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, still have two games to play, but a win today will be enough to guarantee safe passage to the next round and join Sri Lanka.
In the event of a loss today, the Chevrons will have a second bite of the cherry as they still have to play co-hosts Sri Lanka on Thursday.
A loss in both games could, however, complicate the group as it opens the door for both Ireland and possibly Australia.
Should all three teams — Zimbabwe, Ireland and Australia — finish on four points, it will then go down to net run rate.
