adminWhile Zimbabweans are still under the intoxication a historic victory over the Proteas on Sunday, the Zimbabwe XI commenced practice the very next day. The team included some of the members of the national team that defeat South Africa.
Zimbabwe Cricket administrators had initially planned that the players from the national team would take a week-long break but the coaching staff insisted on early preparations.
This meant an additional budget had to be made for the squad, which was not within their financial limits.
Sources at ZC revealed that without Spar’s intervention players would have been sent for a shorter period and they would miss out on an extra week of preparations.
They also revealed that one of Heath Streak’s friends from Bulawayo made a hefty cash pledge to assist with the training requirements.
“I can’t go to sleep knowing that my boys might miss out on a day of practise when our opponents are working hard each day. I cannot call myself a coach if I don’t treat my guys as family, for us as coaches it’s not just a job for us it’s part of our life,” said Zimbabwe senior team assistant coach, Stephen Mangongo. I am grateful to Spar for their response and how quickly they came in to assist us, the cricket community can only survive with such partners,.”
Mangongo approached Spar on Monday to give a helping hand.
“We like to develop sport and develop the community in any way possible. Our decision was also influenced by the way the team won on Sunday. We are big supporters of sport and cricket is doing well and when they do well we also want to do well with them,” said Samantha Bika, the Public Relations Manager for Athienitis Spar.
“From today we want to take this further and to do more so that the cricket is more successful.”
Meanwhile, South Africa A hosts Sri Lanka A for two four-day matches before both teams come to Zimbabwe for a week-long round robin 50-over series. South African ‘A’ High Performance Coach, Vincent Barnes, is in charge of the squad, alongside Faf du Plessis who will captain the side.
Barnes, just like Mangongo and other A-side coaches, knows the value of A-tours. Prior to Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket, Zimbabwe A hosted Australia and South Africa A in preparations for the grant event.
“It’s an important tour for a lot of these cricketers,” Barnes told the South African media. If they want to play for South Africa at the highest level this is where they need to put in the performances.
“It is not only about the individuals, as a team we want to go out there and play good cricket. It’s not often that we have quality international opponents to compete against and this is an opportunity for the players to test their skills.”
The squad has been training at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria for the past week, where they have focused on fitness, mental aspects of the game as well as the strategy for the up-coming series.
Fixtures
Zimbabwe ODI triangular series:
July 13, South Africa A v Sri Lanka A
July 14, Zimbabwe A v Sri Lanka A
July 15, Zimbabwe A v South Africa A
July 17, South Africa A v Sri Lanka A
July 18, Zimbabwe A v South Africa A
July 19, Zimbabwe A v Sri Lanka A
July 21, Final
Online Reporter