adminof international games.
The side which left on Saturday afternoon was expected to arrive in the Caribbean islands by yesterday. Zimbabwe will engage the hosts in two T20s, three ODIs and two Tests in what happens to be their first complete tour since 2005.
Unlike their opponents who have played competitively against Bangladesh and Australia in the last three months, Zimbabwe last had an international tour last year when they travelled to New Zealand.
Mangongo however, said the team which also featured at the ICC World Twenty20 in September last year was hoping to benefit from the players’ involvement in the domestic competitions where they had been busy with the T20 league, the Pro50 Championship and the Logan Cup currently underway.
“In terms of fitness I think we are up there. This tour has come at the right time when these guys are playing lots of cricket in the domestic competitions. So I think in terms of game time we are okay, despite the quality of the competitions. Game time is game time, anyway,” said Mangongo.
Zimbabwe will have their warm-up game against the University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI at St. Andrews on Wednesday. He said the spirit in the camp was encouraging.
“The guys are motivated by memories of the last tour in New Zealand, which was a complete disaster. So we have left no stone unturned and it’s up to the players now to show what they are made of.
Mangongo also praised the national team selectors for giving fringe players such as Tino Mutombodzi, Timycen Maruma, Natsai M’shangwe and Tendai Chatara an opportunity to take part in the West Indies tour.
Mutombodzi is hoping to make his debut in national colours at senior level in the ODIs and T20 game. Chatara who has played one T20 against India in 2010 will stay for the duration of the tour while M’shangwe who has featured in a single ODI would return after the limited overs games.
Maruma is the only player in the quartet with a bit of some international exposure as he has played for Zimbabwe just more than 10 T20s and ODIs between 2007 and 2010.
“I would like to applaud the selection panel for including these young players. These are youngsters with hunger for success. They have been waiting in the wings for a long time and now it’s their time to prove themselves,” said Mangongo.
ODI and T20 squad:
Brendan Taylor (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Tino Mawoyo, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Prosper Utseya, Regis Chakabva, Malcolm Waller, Keegan Meth, Craig Ervine, Chamu Chibhabha, Tino Mutombodzi, Natsai M’’shangwe
Test squad:
Brendan Taylor (capt), Tino Mawoyo, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Regis Chakabva, Malcolm Waller, Kyle Jarvis, Keegan Meth, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Raymond Price, Graeme Cremer.
Online Reporter