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need to come up with a winning formula ahead of the two-match Test series that begins at Bridgetown next Tuesday.
So far the tour has gone according to the book as West Indies have been on top since the matches started two weeks ago. Zimbabwe were hoping to cause upsets but have failed to rise in the recent ODI and T20 series in which they were whitewashed in both formats. Despite showing promise in the warm-up game against the University of West Indies vice-chancellor’s XI the tourists have not offered resistance against the hosts and remain winless in five meetings.
West Indies won the ODI series 3-0 and then followed up their performance with a 2-0 win in the T20 series at the weekend. But amid the gloom, there have been positives worth noting as rookie bowlers Tino Mutombodzi and Natsai M’shangwe showed promise with their spin attack when given the chance. Mutombodzi, who missed the opening two matches, took two wickets on his ODI debut when thrown into the fray in a dead-rubber last week and then added two more scalps to his credit in the last T20 when Zimbabwe appeared to struggle against the West Indies batsmen.
To their credit, West Indies have been in good form as they appeared determined to erase memories from their previous outing in Australia where they suffered big losses.
All rounder Dwayne Bravo, Kieran Powell and Lindl Simmons, who dealt a heavy blow to the visitors in the T20, series are some of the home players who have been consistent, unlike their Zimbabwean counterparts.
Middle order batsman Craig Ervine had shown some promise early but was forced to miss the third ODI because of illness.
Zimbabwe had the kind of boost they needed when they beat University of West Indies vice-chancellor’s XI by 76 runs in their warm up match.
Vusi Sibanda scored a fiery century in the match before retiring with Hamilton Masakadza also weighing in with a half ton and a couple of wickets coming their way.
However, Zimbabwe were no match against the West Indies side as the hosts proved too strong despite resting their captain Darren Sammy and hard hitting top order batsman Chris Gayle in the ODIs.
Zimbabwe could be paying heavily for their lack of regular activity on the international stage.
Before embarking on the tour, they had last played international cricket during the World T20 held in Sri Lanka last September and it was always going to be difficult for the side to recover from their rustiness.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket have confirmed that Bangladesh will be coming next month to engage the hosts in Harare and Bulawayo.
Bangladesh tour itinerary
T20 Series
Zim v Bangladesh 1st T20 (Saturday, 13 April 2013),
Zim v Bangladesh 2nd T20 (Sunday, 14 April 2013)
ODI Series
Zim v Bangladesh 1st ODI (Wednesday, 17 April 2013),
Zim v Bangladesh 2nd ODI (Friday, 19 April 2013),
Zim v Bangladesh 3rd ODI (Sunday, 21 April 2013)
N.B. All T20 and ODI matches to be played at Queens Sports Club
Test Series
Zim v Bangladesh 1st Test (April 30- May 4, 2013),
Zim v Bangladesh 2nd Test (May 8-May 12, 2013)
N.B. All Test matches at Harare Sports Club.
Online Reporter