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ZIMBABWE’S national cricket team, the Chevrons, tomorrow (Saturday) face a mammoth task against the flawless defending champions, India, at Auckland, Australia, in a match that some critics feel can salvage battered pride if they put their act together as a team like they did against Ireland.
This will be another typical David versus Goliath tale in Auckland as the Chevrons who have already crushed out of the World Cup will have the opportunity to write their own history and be the giant slayers.
The defending champions ranked number two on the International Cricket Council One-Day-International rankings have no doubt been the most outstanding team so far, winning all their Group B matches and statistics will no doubt be against the Chevrons ranked number 10.
The Chevrons have, however, proven in all their World Cup matches to have a lion’s heart and to be no easy prey.
The Chevrons will have to do without the key services of stalwart captain and all-rounder, Elton Chigumbura who was ruled out of the Ireland match last Saturday following a grade three tear to the quadriceps muscle in his left leg that he got in the previous match against Pakistan.
However, Brendan Taylor the Chevrons stand-in skipper rose to the occasion in the match against Ireland after he scored a century and he is proving to be a key inspiring player in the final match for the Chevrons tomorrow.
Post Sport spoke to some Mutare cricket fans who felt the best is yet to come from the Chevrons in tomorrow match against India.
Harris Shoni said the combinations that coach, Dav Whatmore, played against Ireland were good.
“The combinations which Whatmore used against Ireland were good. I am sure the boys want to write their own history and bow out with dignity against India. I could see it in the match against Ireland.
“They have a point to prove and there is no better team to prove this to than India,” said Shoni.
He added that if Zimbabwe beat Australia ranked as the world’s best ODI team last year, it was definitely possible for the Chevrons to be the giant slayers against India tomorrow.
Another fan, Tendai Chiri, said in last matches at World Cups, exiting teams like Zimbabwe had more will-power to prove a point and stir up surprises.
“I feel the Chevrons will want to exit with a bang and send India to the cleaners. The beautiful thing about cricket is that rankings do not count much and anything can happen on a good day.
“I feel we will see some spirited play from the Chevrons against India,” said Chiri.
Online Reporter