admindisappointing in a way.
Many enthusiasts believe that a two Test match series should have been played between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh which may have given a true reflection as to where both teams stand.
The lead up to the one day series has been as interesting as the lead up to a major heavyweight boxing fight with certain players having more than a few words to say about certain bowlers and the opposition in general, which should make the on field action most enjoyable.
Zimbabwe have decided to add Forster Mutizwa and Malcom Waller to the squad and one feels certain that Prosper Utseya will make a return to the side which will add the extra option in the bowling and just a little bit of flexibility in the batting line-up.
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Mutizwa, in particular, will be more than happy with his call-up.
A nightmare start to the recently concluded Tri-nations’ series between Zimbabwe, South Africa A and Australia A had many followers ranting at the continued selection of a player who looked out of form and out of this league.
But a bright 39 in Zimbabwe’s final round robin match against South Africa, a hard hitting 67 against Australia A in a two-day warm-up match in Kwekwe as well as a magnificently constructed and, more importantly, match-winning 80 not out against Bangladesh in the crucial three-day warm-up match, have helped change perceptions.
One player who will be desperate to show that he has what it takes to be more than a fringe player, if given the opportunity to do so, is Malcolm Waller.
This unfortunate young middle order batsman has been among the top averages in Zimbabwe’s first class domestic competition on more than one occasion and although he has been picked to represent the A side, he has hardly been given a fair chance to really prove himself.
He has often been pushed from pillar to post, batting anywhere from numbers four to eight, which will obviously leave him feeling unsettled.
To be fair though, he is not the only player who has suffered the fate of not knowing which position they will occupy as players from the past such as Andrew Waller, Stuart Carlisle, Guy Whittal, Trevor Madondo, Craig Evans were often required to bat in different positions which surely must have left a certain amount of uncertainty in their game and in the team.
So young Waller will know that, if given the opportunity to play, he will have to do something beyond special to keep his place in the squad, let alone the team, with people such as Mutizwa and
Chakabva fighting hard for spots in the middle and even lower order.
Once again the attention will be on Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis who will probably be sharing the new ball as they did in the Test match with Chris Mpofu and Elton Chigumbura coming on as first and second change bowlers.
Looking at the middle order, one hopes that the countless mistakes made when facing Abdul Razzak have been corrected as each and every batsman found their feet glued to the crease with what looked like no desire or intention to take him on in any way whatsoever.
It has to be noted though that Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu made a huge effort to be more positive against him in the Test match which may hopefully give the rest of the top and middle order confidence to do the same.
Bangladesh also have a certain amount of flexibility in their top order as it appears that Imrul Kayes and Shahriar Nafees have no problem in taking turns to open the batting with Tamin Iqbal.
The big question that many people will be asking will be the importance of winning the toss.
The side batting first in last year’s tri-series, which also included Sri Lanka and India, were pretty much committing suicide though the matches against Australia and South Africa were slightly more balanced.
This is definitely going to be a battle of the captains with both Shakib Al Hasan and Taylor in good playing form and neither of them afraid to speak their mind when provoked.
Online Reporter