CHEVS BRIMMING WITH CONFIDENCE

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE walk into their final group clash against Sri Lanka this morning with qualification already in the bag and the mood inside the camp lighter.

But there is no sense of switching off because the real work is only just beginning.

“Yeah, we are really excited and super chuffed that we have made it through the next round,” said coach Justin Sammons.

“That was the initial goal set out some 20 months ago and we are pleased that we have managed to achieve that.”

All eyes now turn to the Sri Lanka clash in Colombo, which gets underway at 11.30am Zimbabwe time.

With India, West Indies and South Africa waiting in the next round, Zimbabwe see this match as a chance to keep their edge sharp and their confidence growing rather than simply going through the motions.

“We are really excited about playing Sri Lanka. We are playing the host nation and the atmosphere should be great,” he said.

“It is hugely important that we try and maintain that momentum that we have to keep building belief and confidence within the group.”

The build-up has not been smooth sailing after a punishing travel schedule that saw the squad endure a four-hour bus trip to Kandy and another four-hour trip back to Colombo in quick succession.

Sammons hinted that changes could be on the cards as Zimbabwe try to strike the tricky balance between staying competitive and keeping players fresh for the battles that lie just ahead.

“We definitely have to manage our players, especially as we prepare to enter the Super Eights,” said Sammons.

“This period is very taxing on the players. We travelled four hours on a bus to Kandy and then four hours back to Colombo and play again the next day.

“It is quite taxing and we will look at managing our players, but we also want to put our best foot forward and won’t take anything for granted.”

Even with qualification secured, the Chevrons know a strong showing against the hosts would send another signal that this is a side growing in belief and learning quickly on the big stage, a team that is no longer just happy to be present but is starting to think about competing deep into tournaments.

The biggest tests are still to come and today offers one more chance to settle combinations, iron out small flaws and carry a sense of confidence into the knockout phase where every mistake is punished and every moment matters.