Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHEVRONS coach Justin Sammons and captain Brian Bennett are hoping for a bowler-friendly wicket for the second Test against Afghanistan that begins today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
Both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan were left frustrated after the first Test ended in a long-drawn-out stalemate, played on an unusually batter-friendly surface that offered nothing at all to the bowlers during the five days.
Zimbabwe captain Bennett, veteran Brendan Taylor, Wessly Madhevere and double centurion Craig Ervine were among the standout performers, while Afghanistan also had their batting heroes in Sediqullah Atal, debutant Rahmanullah Zarma Khan and skipper Rahmat Shah.
“At the end of the day, I think taking the conditions into account it was always going to be hard to get a result on that wicket. You know, it really was very, very one-sided,” said Sammons.
“You want a fair contest and I don’t think this wicket produced a fair contest. Like I said, it was very one-sided batter-friendly. It assisted the bowlers in absolutely no way at all. “Given the conditions, I think it was going to be extremely difficult for any team to get 20 wickets out there.
“So, hopefully they produce a wicket that allows for a result and gives the bowlers obviously something to work with and challenges the batters.
“Ultimately, you want results in Test cricket, and you want a fair challenge, and I hope they can produce something that obviously does that,” said Sammons.
Zimbabwe looked poised to make a stronger statement in the first Test. However, after posting 504 in their first innings, they watched Afghanistan respond with 514.
The visitors then batted with greater purpose in their second innings and declared at 523/5 before the captains agreed to a draw.
Sammons defended the approach, insisting conditions offered little prospect of taking 10 wickets in the time available.
“We obviously wanted to bat up until 20 minutes before lunch and then assess whether we felt conditions were deteriorating enough where there would be a realistic opportunity for us to pick up 10 wickets within two sessions,” said Sammons.
“The wicket never deteriorated at all and ultimately the decision was then made that it’s not realistic to expect 10 wickets in two sessions or one and a half sessions on that deck.
“So, it was pointless putting extra overs into our bowlers given that they had batted 170 overs in their first innings. So yeah, the decision was made, that obviously looking long-term into the series we would continue to bat.”
