Online Reporter
WHY did Wessly Madhevere bowl the final over of the third ODI cricket match against Australia, which Zimbabwe lost by one wicket?
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said that it was because Madhevere “put his hand up” and was in the “right frame of mind” to take on the responsibility.
Raza also said he would continue to “back” Madhevere in similar situations “until he gets it right”.
Madhevere bowled the final over of Australia’s chase of 272 at Harare Sports Club just four deliveries after dropping Nathan Ellis, which would have ended the game since Australia were nine down at that point.
Australia then needed nine runs to win off the final over, and Ellis chipped a shot over midwicket to seal the game on the penultimate delivery of the chase.
“I think [Madhevere] was in the right frame of mind,” Raza said.
“He wanted to win the game; I wanted him to win the game . . . It takes a lot of courage to even raise your hand to say, ‘I’ll bowl the last over’.
“He said he’s good to bowl, and that’s all I needed… I’ll back him again and again and again until he gets it right. We don’t leave a man when he’s down.
“These are the games, these are the moments you want to be part of to win it for the team . . . We had plenty of chances to close the game before [the final over]; unfortunately, we didn’t take those.”
Madhevere had also dropped Josh Inglis on 48 despite a leaping effort. Inglis went on to make 103 off 102. Madhevere had taken 1 for 25 with ball in hand off his five overs prior to bowling the final one.
On the other hand, Graeme Cremer – playing his first ODI since 2018 – had taken 2 for 53 and had one over left at the end of the game.
“I think because Ellis was [on strike] and our off-spinner [was bowling] into the wind and to the longer side as well, there was a lot going for Wessly,” Raza said, reasoning why he went with Madhevere for the final over over Cremer.
Zimbabwe had a dream T20 World Cup in February this year, beating Australia and reaching the Super Eight.
However, since then they have lost a T20I series to Bangladesh 2-1, lost 3-0 to India, and nearly missed out on the final of their tri-series against Namibia and South Africa when they scraped through on the last ball of their first game against Namibia.
They also lost all three matches they played in the series against South Africa, before losing 3-0 to Australia in this series.
“I know we have lost [the series against Australia], but I don’t think Zimbabwe has regressed,” Raza said.
“I do think we have made some great strides and progress . . . Hopefully with more ODIs and bigger nations coming to Zimbabwe [for the ODI World Cup in Africa next year], our progress will be faster, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Zimbabwe next play Bangladesh and Afghanistan in an ODI tri-series in the UAE, starting October 17. – cricinfo.com
Mathew Masinge