Zim ready for Proteas

Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE is ready to take on world number one cricket Test playing nation South Africa today at Harare Sports Club and the duo of captain Brendan Taylor and coach Steven Mangongo believe they have a chance of getting the better of their neighbours.
The Chevrons take on the Proteas in a one-off Test at Harare Sports Club this morning and Mangongo believes his men will play to the best of their ability despite the fact that they are ranked eight places below South Africa.

That to Taylor could be an advantage but Zimbabwe has not played a Test match in almost a year — their last being a 24-run victory over Pakistan last September at the same venue. On the contrast, South Africa are coming from a successful tour of Sri Lanka where they played two Test matches, winning the first by 153 runs and drawing the second and this just put them in the right shape compared to Zimbabwe.

The last time the two sides met was in 2005 in South Africa where Zimbabwe struggled, the hosts first winning by an innings and 21 runs before crumbling again to an innings and 62 runs and that is what Taylor is trying to avoid nine years on. With the return of batsman Mark Vermeulen — his first Test in 10 years and first international in four years — and the naming of debutante spinner John Nyumbu, Taylor feels Zimbabwe can take advantage of South Africa.

“Mark has put his hands up, he is really looking solid and he is calm for once which is great. He is actually bringing in a lot of experience into the side, he is full of constructive ideas and hopefully he can have his clear mind set on the game as he has been in the last couple of weeks. It can only work to our advantage in thinking SA are expected to put a huge performance but we just need to focus on the basics and enjoy the moment and it’s a great occasion to be playing South Africa in a Test match and we are looking forward to that challenge. we have prepared nicely and we need to take it day by day and session but session, not to worry about the end result too much,” said Taylor.

Mangongo — who will be in charge of Zimbabwe at Test level for the first time as a full time coach says the fact that they have not played a Test match in almost a year is going to make it difficult but feels they have to make the best of a chance to play South Africa.

South Africa captain Hashim Amla hopes they will continue with their momentum and for them it is not much about the result for the game but rather making sure they maintain their dignity and depth of the squad.

Amla knows there is no team that can be taken lightly in international cricket and feels that despite coming from playing a Test giant like Sri Lanka, they should not under-estimate Zimbabwe, especially at home.

Mangongo yesterday said he will name his final XI this morning having assessed the pitch conditions at Harare Sports Club and it is the state the pitch will be in that will determine which one player will come in as the twelfth man.

“We are still assessing the condition of the pitch whether we opt for an all-rounder of that extra spinner so it is a decision we will make tomorrow. We expect a typical Harare Sports Club pitch which is a good pitch with a good bounce, good carry and then settles down, enough runs for the batsmen. The bounce and curve we expect it to be the same.

“It’s work as usual for me despite taking charge as a full time coach. We want to go out there as a team and represent our country to the best of our ability on the given day. We are excited, we are hosting the world number one team and this is such a privilege and honour but at the same time perfect opportunity to put our best foot forward for world cricket to see that we can play this game in this country.

Squads: Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (capt/wicket keeper), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami (wicket keeper), John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Mark Vermeulen, Sean Williams.

South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Rilee Rossouw, Mthokozisi Shezi.