adminJeffrey Murimbechi
WORLD champions India wrapped the Celkom Mobile ODI series with a seven wicket win over Zimbabwe, winning 3-0 in the five match tour that will carry over to Bulawayo for the remaining two matches at Queens Sports Club. Struggling skipper Brendan Taylor however, believes him men still have national pride to play for in the dead rubber version of the series.
The series is already rightfully due to the tourists but Taylor believes the acid test for Zimbabwe is not over as this series is meant to be a yardstick of Zimbabwe’s performance and what better opposition that the world best side.
“There is always pride to play for… it is always a privilege to play for your country also playing against the best team in the world is another privilege. We haven’t played at our level best and there is only room for improvement in Bulawayo and I am sure is going to be a better result.”
“Getting quite frustrating now, leading up to the series the amount of work we put in, that not translating into results, and knowing the ability of the players, is irritating. There is still lot to play for in Bulawayo. Generally soft dismissals, guys need to toughen up mentally. Chinouya has been knocking on the door for ages.” said Taylor.
Zimbabwe bowled very well in the first two ODIs, stepping within reach of a victory in the second match on Friday but the batsmen faltered on the friendliest of batting conditions. A series of dropped catches, misfields and a plethora of extras made short work of the sterling bowling from the young Zimbabweans seamers’ effort.
The skipper reached his ninth innings without surpassing 39 runs. He is not alone in the legion of top order batting woes as the top six in the same period were unable to build a match winning innings.
On Sunday much hyped openers Vusi Sibanda and Raza Butt made premature exits due to poor shot selection. Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor had the burden of the nation’s hopes but their fate, though not as fatal, was an innocuous fight back at the face of great expectation.
The bowlers Tendai Chatara (23) and Brian Vitori (17) came in at a time when Zimbabwe seemed uncertain of even reaching 150 runs and built a 36 run partnership for the ninth wicket which gave Zimbabwe a tad bit of severance. The implausible batsman both score personal batting best performances.
Taylor believes his batting afflictions along with his inconsistent top six will be better in Bulawayo where batting is a much easier task even against the toughest opponents.
“Bulawayo is generally a good wicket, I am a player who hits an extremely large number of balls when I practice. I will continue to do these things and play well every game and I am a believer that a good innings is not far around the corner.”
India’s stand in captain Virat Kolhi has lived up to expectations claiming the series with two games to spare.
Kolhi, in acknowledgement of Zimbabwe’s capacity to get back into the series, was relieved to win the trophy with a slight air of inexperience lurking in his team.
“It was important to win to seal the series. We had early breakthroughs with the ball and it was not that difficult a total to chase down. We are not setting any goals, we did not think we had to seal the series today. Zimbabwe still have some inexperience in the line-up and it is about gaining experience.”
“ I am one of the few experienced guys in this side and I am trying to take responsibility. Their bowlers have bowled in good areas, they know how to bowl on these wickets, they are using the two new balls well. Our fast bowlers can learn from them,” he said as he also praised the Zimbabweans for giving befitting competition in the series.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter