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Brighton Zhawi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national cricket team coach Stephen Mangongo has promised that his lads will defend the country’s flag with pride when they meet Australia in a triangular series opener at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.“We are work in progress, we are learning every time and I am sure on Monday (tomorrow) you will see a resolute Zimbabwe batting team
“I am very confident my batters will give us runs. There have been some positive signals, we are just an innings away from getting big scores from our top guys,” he said.
Mangongo also backed spinner Prosper Utseya despite the hullabaloo surrounding his bowling action.
“Prosper is a tough bloke, he is neither the first to be queried nor last. All he needs to do is to go through the process and I am hopeful he will come out fine,’’ he said.
Speaking at a Press conference yesterday, Australia coach Darren Lehman said they are not taking Zimbabwe lightly and will ignore the strained relations between the two countries on the political front.
“We are not playing politics obviously, we are here to play sport and grow the game, that’s what’s important for us, we are custodians of the game.
“It’s a one day international so we aim to play well. Everyone thinks it’s going to be a walk in the park but we know better. We want to start to get our momentum going in this format of the game as we have got a big 12 months ahead of us,” said Lehman
The two teams meet again next Sunday in a triangular series that also features South Africa.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter