admin
Fungai Muderere .
THE Chevrons, Zimbabwe’s senior male cricket national team, left the country on Wednesday for their tour to South Africa where the neighbours will face off in three one-day international matches starting Sunday.
The ODI series will run until 6 October to be followed by a three-match T20I series from 9-14 October.
Following weeks of preparation, the Chevrons took to the nets for the last time before departure, with Indian coach Lalchand Rajput, who was recently confirmed as the substantive head coach, satisfied with the work put into preparing for what is expected to be a challenging tour for the Chevrons.
Rajput acknowledged the need to adjust to South African conditions and was bullish about Zimbabwe’s chances of springing some surprises during the tour.
The Chevrons are scheduled to leave for South Africa in the early hours of Saturday ahead of their opening one day international (ODI) clash against the Proteas this Sunday.
This will be Rajput’s first major assignment since he was appointed on full time basis to lead the Chevrons on a revival mission.
‘‘That is the biggest challenge and I think we can make a difference in that. I am very excited to get on the road with this team,” Rajput was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
After South Africa, the team is expected to proceed to Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Tests that run into November.
Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has been added to the Zimbabwe cricket squad travelling to Bangladesh next month.
The all-rounder will, however, not play any part in the preceding limited-overs tour of South Africa scheduled to start on Sunday.
He had missed out on selection for both tours due to contractual issues that have since been resolved following a meeting between the player and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC)’s contracts committee on Monday.
Raza explained himself, apologised for his actions and pledged his commitment to Zimbabwe national duty.
Online Reporter