Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE captain Sikandar Raza has thrown his weight behind the experienced campaigners in the Chevrons squad, insisting they still have a major role to play as the hosts look to put up a strong fight in the One Day International series against Australia underway at Harare Sports Club.
The Chevrons return to action today looking to level the series after suffering a 59-run defeat in the opening match on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe made history in the first ODI by fielding three players aged 40 years-plus, with Raza, former captains Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor all featuring in the starting XI.
The veterans brigade could be bolstered further today by leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, who turns 40 tomorrow, as Zimbabwe search for a much-improved performance against the world champions.
Raza and Ervine briefly revived Zimbabwe’s hopes in the series opener with a valuable 98-run fifth-wicket partner-ship after the home side had found themselves under pressure in pursuit of Australia’s imposing total of 294.
The pair top-scored for Zimbabwe, with Raza making 57 and Ervine contributing 59 off 60 deliveries. However, the target ultimately proved beyond the hosts, who were bowled out for 235.
While Taylor rolled back the years with a sharp catch and tidy work behind the stumps, he was unable to make a significant contribution with the bat. Nevertheless, Raza believes the value the veterans bring extends far beyond the scoreboard.
“Yeah, I like to make this very, very clear to everyone. There should be no doubt about the quality that Graeme and Craig and BT bring to the changing room,” said Raza in the pre-series press conference.
“BT, we’re talking about a guy who’s got 10 000 international runs. So, the quality is there. He’s made a comeback, and he’s played well, but I think with what Zimbabwe has got coming up, especially for the longer format, he’s going to play a lot of those games as well. Inshallah, he stays fit.
“So, I think any question about the quality of our senior boys who have served Zimbabwe with utmost honesty and determination and everything, there is the qualities that a person needs to represent the nation.
“Those boys possess that, and their stats back that. So, I don’t think so anybody should write them off,” said Raza.
Taylor also made a personal milestone for longevity in the game when he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s longstanding record for the longest-serving ODI career (22 years, 4 months) during the series opener in Harare.
The former Zimbabwe captain is also closing in on another landmark, as he is just 77 runs away from overtaking Andy Flower as Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in ODI cricket.
Raza said he would be among the first to celebrate if Taylor reaches the milestone.
“Hopefully he doesn’t know about this, but I’ll be the first one to clap, and I’ll be the first one to celebrate that mile-stone, for a man who has served Zimbabwe for so long and for what he’s achieved and the fact that he was part of some of the difficult times Zimbabwe cricket was facing and he was still there for Zimbabwe cricket,” said Raza.
“So, I wish him, and I pray that he has a lot more runs in him because he remains a very important part for Zimbabwe to go forward in the near future because it’s not just about his runs that matters in the changing room.
“It’s how he speaks to the younger boys, the value he has in their lives, the guidance he gives them; all those things go a long way.”
Raza has also challenged his teammates to up their game with the bat. The Chevrons top order has been inconsistent of late. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 runs by Australia in the first match.
“With ODIs, ODI runs suddenly gone up as well, but I think with ODIs it’s a lot more to do with the surface, with the conditions that presents itself.
