Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHEVRONS coach, Justin Sammons, says the team are determined to build on the progress made last year and write an historic success story against Bangladesh.
The two sides will battle in a multi-format series.
There is the one-off Test match from June 28 to July 2 at Harare Sports Club.
They will later play three ODIs and three T20s next month.
Zimbabwe have not played international cricket since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in February and have not featured in a Test match since October.
“It should be hopefully within the next few days,” said Sammons on the timing of the squad announcement.
“What informed our selection was, obviously, the conditions and the type of surfaces we are hoping to get.
“Obviously, it’s home conditions and we would like wickets that favour our strengths, as well as recent domestic form and guys who did well in the last few Tests.”
Sammons acknowledged that the lengthy break from international cricket means Zimbabwe will have to rediscover the required intensity quickly.
“We haven’t played cricket since the end of February and we haven’t played a Test match since October.
“So, the challenge is going to be for us to meet the intensity that international cricket requires from the get-go.
“I am certainly hoping that we can come out and play aggressive cricket, especially with the ball.
“I want us to be really aggressive. With the bat, I want us to be smart but positive — taking positive options in a calculated way, while taking into account the conditions, the situation in the game and the opposition’s skill set.”
Sammons revealed that Zimbabwe have used the break to improve fitness levels, something he believes will help the team maintain intensity throughout the series.
“We’ve been working hard from a conditioning point of view and getting the guys a lot fitter.
“We haven’t really had a block of time to do that over the last couple of years. This is our first opportunity to really get stuck in from a conditioning perspective,” he said.
He added that the bowlers had focused on increasing both aggression and consistency.
“Our bowlers have been working hard on being aggressive, on intensity and on bringing as much of that as possible, along with consistency in the areas we’re hitting.”
