adminJonathan John Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket coach Andy Waller is happy with progress in preparation for a busy schedule next month which will include a triangular series with giants South Africa and Australia.Zimbabwe will first host rising Asian nation Afghanistan in four ODIs later this month before engaging South Africa in a one-off Test and three ODIs in August, to be followed by a triangular series involving Australia.
“The boys are hard at work and are really taking the Afghanistan game seriously. I can confirm that our preparations are going according to plan,” Waller told The Herald.
Waller singled out seam bowler Donald Tiripano among the crop of newcomers who have been impressive in the Zimbabwe A side.
The former Under-19 national team seamer Tiripano had a good season in the limited overs matches and in the Logan Cup.
“He (Tiripano) has definitely shown a great effort and determination over the past weeks in camp that a call up during the Tri-series is possible. The squad has not yet been picked and will only be finalised after the warm up matches against Afghanistan in Bulawayo next week,” said Waller.
The development team is also engaged in training at the same venue being used by the senior side with Waller and his assistant Steve Mangongo exchanging notes with Zimbabwe A mentor Walter Chawaguta.
It was evident at yesterday’s training that morale was high in camp as team captain Brendan Taylor and his boys went through their paces.
“We are taking these games seriously and the guys are even spending time doing extra work,” said spinner and former skipper Prosper Utseya.
“We are not looking down on Afghanistan as it will be a perfect platform to regain our form and take it into the three games.”
Afghanistan are set to jet into the country on Thursday for the four-match ODI series to be held in Bulawayo with their first assignment being the two 50-over warm up matches against Zimbabwe A on July 13 and 15 at Bulawayo Athletic club.
Thereafter, the senior Zimbabwean side will then take over to host Afghanistan in four ODIs at the Queens Sports Club from July 18 to 24.
The tour will be concluded in Harare where the Zimbabwe A will play Afghanistan in two four-day matches at the Country Club.
Zim Training Squad
Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza Butt, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Michael Chinouya, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Raymond Kaia, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Lovemore Gumunyu-Manatsa, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Christopher Mpofu, Bright Mugochi, Natsai M’shangwe, Forster Mutizwa, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Mark Vermeulen, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams
Online Reporter