adminIndia are expected in the country next month for a five-match One-Day International series which comes after their tri-series involving West Indies and Sri Lanka, ending on July 11.
Zimbabwe are currently in camp in preparation for the series and assistant coach Steve Mangongo yesterday said they were looking forward to the battle against India.
The first three matches will be played at Harare Sports Club and the last two at Queens in Bulawayo.
“The guys are working hard. They are doing a lot of fitness training and endurance. Last week we had an expert from England who worked with the guys and I think it was worth it.
“Now we are working on polishing the skills on our batting and bowling fronts to make sure we are ready by the time India comes,” said Mangongo.
Zimbabwe might also have an opportunity to play Australia A as part of their preparations as the Aussies are expected to make a stop over en-route to their commitment in South Africa between July 18-20.
The tour is an important one, especially for commercial reasons, for Zimbabwe Cricket as India provide box-office attraction and there is huge television interest wherever they play.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean-born batsman Gary Ballance has been included in the England team to face New Zealand in a T20 series this month.
The former Mid West Rhinos player has been impressive at Yorkshire and has always looked set to make a breakthrough to the England national team.
Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon believes Ballance will not only follow Yorkshire team-mate Joe Root into the international ranks but that the duo can go on to create one of the most formidable batting partnerships in the process.
“Gary is in a great place to be at Yorkshire because you have seen the likes of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow go through and run out for England and I am sure that Gary is not far behind,” said Nixon.
“And when I see him and Joe Root bat together it reminds me of Graham Thorpe and Nasser Hussain because the communication and the talking is there between the two and they always seem to be in control and unfazed by it all.
“All he needs now is the sun to come out and the wickets to harden a bit and for him to keep doing what he is doing and I am sure he will be the latest off that Yorkshire production line.
“He is a good back-foot player and can drive the ball and, although he is young, he already has the maturity and that air of a senior player which in cricket is a great trait to have.
“He has a good technique and being from Yorkshire his technique would definitely please Geoffrey Boycott who would say ‘that is proper technique, that is’.
“He is a good fielder, too, and is full of energy and there is no question that he will have some lions on his shirt in the future.”
Zim/India schedule
24 July – First ODI –
Harare Sports Club, Harare
26 July – Second ODI – Harare Sports Club, Harare
28 July – Third ODI –
Harare Sports Club, Harare
31 July – Fourth ODI –
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
3 August – Fifth ODI – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo — Sports Reporter/Agencies
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