Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE kings of Test cricket have arrived, and so has the moment Zimbabwe has been waiting for.
Fresh from conquering Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s, South Africa touched down at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport yesterday, bringing the glow of their title triumph to Bulawayo, ahead of a blockbuster two match Test series against Zimbabwe starting this Saturday at Queens Sports Club.
Their arrival signals more than just a fixture on the calendar, it marks a rare and thrilling opportunity for Zimbabwean cricket to stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world, on home soil.
The upcoming series is historic in several ways. Not only does it mark South Africa’s first red-ball tour to Zimbabwe in 11 years, their last being a one-off Test in 2014 in Harare, it’s also the first time in eight years that the Chevrons will square off against the Proteas in a Test format. The last encounter was a four-day match in Gqeberha.
The teams were originally set to clash in a warm-up game at Arundel School in England before the WTC Final, but rain limited play to a single day. That missed opportunity only adds to the anticipation now surrounding the Zimbabwean leg of this renewed rivalry.
While the Proteas arrive with confidence and momentum, Zimbabwe are not short of motivation either. The Chevrons recently made headlines with a spirited performance in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge, their first in England since 2003. Now, back on home turf, they’re looking to channel that energy into a series that could define their red-ball season.
Zimbabwe kicked off their preparations with a technical session on Saturday before ramping up with full day training on Sunday and Monday. Head coach Justin Sammons, was pleased with the early effort and commitment shown by the squad.
“I think the quality has been good,” said Sammons. “Saturday, we had a nice technical session in the morning, and then on Sunday and Monday, we had high volume training days. The guys got their volume in from both bowling and batting points of view, and obviously a lot of time on the legs. Very happy with the way that went.”
The Chevrons are focusing on solid foundations in the initial phase of camp, prioritising volume, discipline and intensity, before zooming in on tactical details as match day approaches.
“There’s nothing too specific just yet,” Sammons explained. “Right now, it’s more about making sure we’re covering all our bases. It’s more around the volume, and then we get a little bit more specific as we head closer to the Test.”
Sammons also praised the squad’s attitude, calling it a stand-out feature of the group.
“The attitude is good. It’s always good. We can never fault the attitude. They are always wanting to get the most out of each other and improve as much as they can and again, they have shown that over the last few days.”
Facing the newly crowned world champions has clearly lit a spark in the camp.
“There’s a real buzz around the squad,” Sammons said. “I think they are very excited. I’m super excited for the challenge that lies ahead and the guys are amped for it. They’re looking forward to testing themselves and showing what they’re capable of. I think they really want to make a statement over the next couple of weeks.”
The second Test is scheduled for July 6–10, setting the stage for a riveting fortnight of top-tier red-ball cricket in the City of Kings.
@brandon_malvin
