Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER returning home from a decent tournament at the just-ended ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe bowler Brad Evans believes the Chevrons should build on the momentum and start working on a formula to improve on their rankings.
Speaking on a Zimpapers Sports Hub cricket podcast – Beyond the Boundary – Evans said he felt the Chevrons punched above their weight to reach the Super Eights for the first time.
But they remained etched on 11th place on the recent rankings released by the International Cricket Council this week despite Zimbabwe’s magnificent run in the group games, where they beat giants Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka to end their group games at the top of the table, with an unbeaten record.
The 28-year-old was one of the standout performers with the ball and also made a spectacular cameo with the bat down the batting order. The performance by the Zimbabwean team earned the respect they deserve in the cricket world.
“I think respect is earned, not given and I feel like we have done that,” said Evans.
“And is this a turning point for us? Well, it could be. I think what we need to realise as a squad, and we have already spoken about it, is that we cannot now rest on our laurels.”
Zimbabwe reached the Super Eights after dominating group B which also had minnows Oman and perennial rivals Ireland.
But after beating Oman and Australia in their opening two matches, the game against Ireland was washed out before the Chevrons returned on the pitch to dislodge Sri Lanka. Evans was outstanding with figures of 3-18 against Oman and 3-23 against Australia.
He also posted a defiant 46 from 21 balls in the defeat to West Indies in the Super Eights.
But with the T20 World Cup now behind them, Zimbabwe are now looking forward to the future assignment which includes the upcoming tour of Pakistan.
“We have done well but we need to keep doing well and there is more cricket to play. What’s done it’s done.
“You are only good as your next game because what’s coming up next, that’s where you will be judged. You can have a very good world Cup but if you don’t perform well in the next series, it could mean less.
“But if you can continue and start climb the rankings, that’s one of our goals to climb Zimbabwe remained 11th on the latest T20 team rankings released this week. But there were gains for individuals like Evans, who moved two places up to land on number 14 on the bowling rankings. Evans is currently Zimbabwe’s top ranked T20 bowler.
He finished the recent World Cup with 10 wickets in the bag, four behind India’s Jasprit Bumrah whose 14 wickets made him the highest wicket taker of the tournament.
Compatriot Blessing Muzarabani was also among the best bowlers with 13 wickets under his belt.
One of the biggest takeaways for Evans at the recent T20 World Cup was that small margin of errors could make big differences.
Evans counted himself fortunate to be part of the T20 World Cup squad after shaking off nagging injuries. He feels it’s a huge milestone to have played 50 internationals across the formats.
“I think the early part of my Zimbabwean international career, I maybe didn’t quite realise how much of a privilege it was, and sort of just went through the motions a little bit.
“But obviously I’ve had my struggles with injuries and through that time I’ve sort of come to realise how lucky you are to put on the national kit and how much I missed it when I wasn’t playing.
“And actually… I’ve now played 50 games for my country across formats, exactly 50, and for me that’s quite a proud achievement, because it was a stage where I didn’t think I’d get there, and it’s only driven me to continue and try and double that and maybe triple it.
“So, all focus is on keeping my body fit and playing as much cricket as possible. You know, I’ve got a game for the Rhinos next week in Bulawayo and I’m looking forward to that to just, yeah, for my own sort of game and also to help out the Rhinos,” Evans said.
