Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SECOND ODI player of the match in the ongoing three-match series, Nyasha Gwanzura says the Lady Chevrons will not put themselves under pressure as they head into today’s decisive ICC Women’s Championship ODI against West Indies at Harare Sports Club.
Gwanzura played a starring role in Zimbabwe’s four-wicket victory in the second ODI on Sunday, a result that levelled the three-match series and gave the hosts their first-ever win in the ICC Women’s Championship.
With the result giving Zimbabwe a major confidence boost ahead of the decider, Gwanzura insists the team will not allow the prospect of making history to weigh heavily on them.
“It was not an easy game, considering West Indies being in the top 10 teams in the world, so we just had to keep it simple and enjoy ourselves,” said Gwanzura.
The victory has given Zimbabwe confidence after they lost the opening match, but the Lady Chevrons are refusing to get carried away by the prospect of securing a historic series win.
“Of course the first game didn’t go our way, but we’re learning, we’re getting experience from these guys. They are big guys, and we’re doing our best, so we’re getting there.
“It’s really important for us because, like I said, we’re a learning team and we are learning, so we’re taking each game as it is and we’re just taking the experience that we had from South Africa going forward,” she said.
The celebrations in the changing room after Sunday’s victory showed just how much the result meant to the players.
“It’s big, I won’t lie to you, it’s big, and you know there’s no I in team, so we are celebrating it together and we’re enjoying it. Being our first win since Nepal, so yeah, it’s really big for us,” said Gwanzura.
The victory also provided a confidence boost for a Zimbabwe side still gaining experience at this level.
“Obviously the win was a confidence booster, so we’re just keeping it simple and we keep moving forward, learning one step at a time,” she said.
Gwanzura said the team’s bowling strategy has also been deliberately uncomplicated, with the players encouraged to trust their skills.
“So far our plan has been simple; we’re just bowling straight and keeping it simple. We leave it to the fielders and to the batter. It’s out of our control; once you’ve released the ball, it’s up to the batter, and that’s how it’s been going so far,” she said.
The message from coach Mark Coles has been equally clear.
“He just tells us to bowl top of off stump and not to try too many things; just bowl the way you bowl.
“If you’re an off-spinner, just keep hitting that same line and wait on the batter,” said Gwanzura.
Although she collected the player of the match award, Gwanzura insisted the achievement belonged to the entire team.
“I wouldn’t have done it without the team, so I wouldn’t take anything from the guys,” she said.
Zimbabwe now have an opportunity to complete a remarkable turnaround by winning the series, but Gwanzura says the approach will remain unchanged.
“We will just keep on working on what has been working and maybe try to just improve a little bit on whatever it is that we need to work on, so that by the time we get to the decider we’ll be ready.
“But as I said, this is a learning curve; we’re just taking it one game at a time,” she said.
