Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE head coach Justin Sammons, says the quickest way to improve against world-class opposition is to watch, learn and match the standards top teams set on the field.
Speaking after his side’s innings and 359-run loss to New Zealand at Queens Sports Club on Saturday, Sammons stressed that the Chevrons must study the BlackCaps’ approach if they want to close the gap. The Test ended inside two and a half days, marking Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeat in the format and New Zealand’s biggest win.
“This is where they need to aspire to be. They need to observe the way the top teams and top players go about their business, the hunger they have, the respect for the game they have. You can see the way they bat, every Test run means so much to them. They respect every ball, so I certainly hope that our players are observing and learning from the opposition. There is a huge positive that comes out of playing these oppositions, you have to be observant and hopefully take all the behaviours that they would see from the opposition,” said Sammons.
The match also marked Brendan Taylor’s return from retirement and a three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code. He made a steady 44 in the first innings, and Sammons praised the veteran’s work ethic which he said was an example to younger players.
“It has been brilliant having him back. He has been superb, his attitude is unbelievable, he is humble and grateful to be in our space and environment. You talk about behaviours from the opposition, his action shows, he is in the nets first thing in the morning, before everyone gets here, and he is hitting balls with the batting coach. Even when the game is done, at lunch, he wants to improve, he is consistently trying to improve, to master his art.
“That doesn’t just happen, it takes work and he is showing our group the work that is required to get to a certain level. He is knowledgeable, he has good experience, you can see from the way that he is interacting with the group in trying to give as much knowledge as he can. He has been a brilliant addition so far to this team,” Sammons said.
Zimbabwe have managed just one Test win in nine outings this year, beating Bangladesh by three wickets in April.
