Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER a courageous fight in the two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka last week, the Chevrons’ focus now shifts to T20Is where they are scheduled to face the Lions in three matches starting at Harare Sports Club today.
Zimbabwe’s T20I squad sees the return of veteran all-rounder Sean Williams who had called time on his career in the shortest version of the game.
Although Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) never formalised and announced the news, Williams retired from T20Is in May last year after the Chevrons’ tour of Bangladesh. Since then, Williams had not featured in any T20I squad for Zimbabwe until now.
Speaking ahead of today’s opener, Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza said Williams is a good addition to the squad as he brings a wealth of experience. Raza also spoke about the conversations he had with Williams ahead of his return to 20-over cricket with the T20 World Cup Qualifiers fast approaching.
“It’s nice to have Willo back. We had this conversation a few months back. During the Test matches I had a chat with him one on one and said to come back, you have to decide for yourself with your family, it’s an opportunity to get to the World Cup Inshallah. I know you have taken your retirement but we would love to have you back. He took some time and he decided that yes he is ready.
“You have to look at his workload, he is an all-rounder as well, been playing every game for Zimbabwe, his fitness level and time away from the family so he had to consider all those options and after speaking to the family and the people that he trusts, he decided to come back and we are very happy and blessed that he is back. In the same breadth, BT (Brendan Taylor) as well, so it’s nice to have all that experience coming back into the T20 team,” said Raza.
The Chevrons stalwart, Raza added that they go into the T20I series a confident side after good performances in one-day matches. Raza said they are looking forward to playing good cricket once again and hopefully, put their best foot forward.
“Once you start looking at the end result, once you start looking at the wins and losses, suddenly the whole process gets away from you. It doesn’t help. I thought the way we batted, fielded and bowled in the ODI series should give us a lot of confidence to have another exciting T20 series against Sri Lanka, a very good opposition. You cross the line once that process is right, we have done a lot of right things, if you look at both games we did well in, maybe 80 overs out of 100 (in the ODIs) so that’s a big plus.
“We just couldn’t cross the line so that comes from, sometimes experience, winning games in the past as well to know how to cross the line. We learnt from our mistakes and hopefully put the best foot forward and most importantly play an exciting brand of cricket and have a very good series,” said Raza.
With the opener taking place today, the other two matches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Brad Evans and Tadiwanashe Marumani, alongside Williams and Taylor, are the other inclusions, while Newman Nyamhuri, Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga miss out from the squad that contested last month’s triangular series against New Zealand and South Africa.
The series presents another key step in Zimbabwe’s preparations to establish a consistent core ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, set to be staged in Harare later this month.
Zimbabwe T20I squad
Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams
Sri Lanka T20I squad
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando. – @brandon_malvin
