adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
NEWLY-APPOINTED Zimbabwe cricket team coach Stephen Mangongo was yesterday oozing with confidence ahead of today’s opening of the one-day triangular cricket series against world number one Australia at Harare Sports Club.
It may be a somewhat delusional but bold stance by the coach whose charges fell to a three-match whitewash in a bilateral one-day series at the hands of world number three South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo last week.
“My mind is very calm. I do not believe that we struggled against South Africa. It was only the top order which struggled. Our bowling was very good, our lower order batters were very good, and it was only the top order that did not come to the party.
“There’s many a twist between saucer, cup and tea. Many things can change within an hour, within 24 hours, and it’s a fine line between struggling and actually putting runs on the board. There was a good glimpse from Hamilton Masakadza on day one in Bulawayo, 62 going very well and he simply did not convert.
“That was the fine line that made the difference between struggling and a good outing for Zimbabwe. If Hamilton had converted that 62, had he not gone out on a soft dismissal it could have been a totally different story. So, yes, we are very positive that we are one innings away,” said Mangongo.
The odds are not in Zimbabwe’s favour as per the history between the nations in the format.
Zimbabwe and Australia have played each other 28 times and Zimbabwe have only won once and the other one time there was a no result.
The only time Zimbabwe won was in 1983 in Nottingham by 13 runs when Duncan Fletcher, who now coaches India, scored 69 runs while South African commentator Kepler Wessels top scored with 76 runs.
It is these kind of statistics that are giving Mangongo the ire to take on the world’s best with unapologetic self-assurance.
“We have played Mitchie (Mitchell Johnson) about two years ago when he came here. We are looking forward to the pace and bounce — it will be a good challenge. You don’t learn by not playing with the best,” he said.
Mangongo maintained his stance that major changes will continue to take place in the “regular” Zimbabwean line-up. Already Vusi Sibanda and former captain Brendan Taylor got the chop in Bulawayo which Mangongo said it is not a right to play for your country but rather an honour.
“He (Brendan Taylor) is like any other cricketer who was in the squad. He was disappointed. He was in the 17-man squad and I’m sure as a professional he was looking forward to playing, and like one of the 17 players he was disappointed. Such is life and no man has got a right to play, it’s a privilege, simple and straightforward. It doesn’t matter who you are if you are not delivering at that moment, that’s why you’ve got a 17-man squad.”
The Squads
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams
Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Online Reporter