adminTinashe Kusema
LEFT-ARM seamer Brian Vitori withdrew from the squad that is facing Sri Lanka because he had made prior arrangements to play in the South African domestic scene.After failing to land a central contract with Zimbabwe Cricket, the 26-year-old sourced for opportunities to earn a living elsewhere and one of the contracts he landed clashed with the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. With no official word given, many speculated that Vitori had either suffered yet another injury or had failed to remodel his bowling action after he was cited during the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh earlier this year.
However, national team gaffer Heath Streak revealed that Vitori sought clearance to miss the Sri Lanka series.
Speaking on the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka, which began yesterday at Harare Sports Club, Streak described the loss of the left-arm seamer as a big blow.
“As one of the few genuine left arm bowlers in the country, who can bowl both into the right-handers and away from the left-handers at a decent pace, Vitori would have added a lot of variation to our attack during both the Tests series and the triangular series also involving West Indies. “However, one man’s loss is another man’s gain, and Vitori’s absence during these two tours has afforded us the opportunity to look and give other players a chance.
“Among those that will likely benefit from Vitori’s absence are the likes of Carl Mumba and Mike Chinouya who have a chance of featuring in either the Tests or next month’s triangular series,” he said. Streak said Vitori remains a big part of his Chevrons plans. “The issue to do with Vitori’s withdrawal has more to do with contractual obligations, rather than anything else currently making rounds.
“Vitori is currently in South African, where he is signed to play some club cricket,” explained the national team coach.
“You see, he was not given a central contract and made other plans to play cricket elsewhere. He sort me out for clearance, and upon consultation with convener of selectors Tatenda Taibu, we decided to give him permission. “We understand that he has obligations as a man and needs to make a living given that he is a professional cricketer. We talked it over, and I still have him in mind for future assignments when he has finished with his contractual obligations.”
Online Reporter