Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SOUTH Africa Test captain, Temba Bavuma says their unofficial four-day Test match against Zimbabwe at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex, England, today will be crucial for his charges.
This fixture, coming on the back of Zimbabwe’s historic one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge a fort-night ago, serves as a key part of the Proteas’ build-up to the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
For the Chevrons, the warm-up encounter also acts as a dress rehearsal ahead of their two-match Test series at home against South Africa, slated for June and July in Bulawayo.
“To be honest with you, it’s quite clear from myself and Shukri (Conrad) as to what we want to do — I think Shukri’s already said that (Ryan) Rickleton will be in, in terms of opening (the batting). Probably one conversation we need to have is whether we are going with the extra specialist batter or the extra all-rounder, but I think the make-up of the team, largely we kind of know,” Bavuma told SABC Sport.
“The warm-up game is not a trial game, we are definitely not going to use it like that, but I think the conditions are probably the biggest thing that will influence those one or two spots — what the pitch looks like because it’s obviously in England.
“So the four-day game is not a trial, we have a 90-95 percent conviction as to our starting 11.”
Having last played red ball cricket in January against Pakistan, Bavuma said the Chevrons’ warm-up match will help with whatever rust the players might have.
“The last time we played was in January, just after the New Year’s Test, so I think a lot of it is about dusting off those cobwebs and for bowlers to get time on their feet and overs under their belts,” he added.
“For the batters as well to spend time at the crease and kind of just get used to the Test match processes, and a lot of it is physical with a little bit mental. But I think it’s also an opportunity just to remind ourselves of what our philosophy and what our best way of playing is,” said Bavuma.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced on Saturday that the four-day encounter will be played behind closed doors.
South Africa arrived in England on Friday and have since roped in England’s legendary bowler, Stuart Broad as a consultant.
Led by seasoned captain Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe are expected to field a competitive side at Arundel.
The team includes Brian Bennett, the 21-year-old opening batter who grabbed headlines with a record-breaking performance against England, registering Zimbabwe’s fastest-ever century in Test cricket.
However, the team will be without three regulars —all-rounder Sikandar Raza and the pace duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
Their places have been filled by Tanunurwa Makoni, Vincent Masekesa and Alex Falao, all rewarded for their impressive domestic and international form.
