adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket side get a true test of character, starting early this morning, when they take on Bangladesh in the tough and unforgiving sub-continent conditions in a three-match Test series.
The Zimbabweans have not played a three-match Test series in 12 years and this is going to be a tough examination for them in the spin-friendly conditions.
Captain Brendan Taylor is under no illusion on the challenges that lie ahead given the conditions in Bangladesh.
And yesterday he told the media his side is up for the challenge.
“It’s been 10 years, over 12 years, since we played a three-Test match series,” Taylor told the media.
“The guys are physically fit, they have worked very hard on fitness.
“The conditions are always challenging with the humidity. That’s the way it goes. Test cricket is never going to be easy.
“It’s always going to be a challenge.”
In the warm-up game, Zimbabwe showed some positive signs with Craig Ervine the outstanding batsman with an unbeaten 85 in their second innings.
Sikanda Raza-Butt was consistent with two 40-plus scores but it has not been a good story for opener Vusi Sibanda who has struggled.
Only Sibanda, Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura and Tinashe Panyangara have played Test cricket in Bangladesh before.
The suspension of spinner Propser Utseya, for illegal bowling action, means the team will be without their most experienced spinner in conditions where he would have thrived.
The Zimbabwe spin bowling attack is led by John Nyumbu, who will be supported by the duo of Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Wellington Masakadza who both do not have international experience.
“In spinning conditions, you have got to back the spinners,” he said.
“And we have got a couple of experienced seam bowlers up front who can reverse the ball later on, they are an asset for us.
“We have got some guys who have got experience playing here at the first-class level. Hopefully, we can use to that advantage.
“I think spin is always going to be the main threat to us. Our preparation coming into the first Test has been solely focusing on spin. I am not disregarding anything else.
“They (Bangaldesh) can bat very well in these conditions and they have got a couple of good seamers, so we have to worry about all three departments,” said Taylor.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim feels they will have to capitalise on “the lack of experience” in the Zimbabwe side.
“Their (Zimbabwe) entire spin department is quite inexperienced. So they will be more concerned than us. They will have to work harder.
“The pressure will be more on them.
“With regards to leg spin, yes it is true that we don’t face too many of them in domestic cricket. Considering their spin attack I think we can face them.
“Also we have faced Jubair (Hossain) for the last six months or so, so that should help in terms of preparations. We are ready for that. We will try to pressurise their inexperienced spin attack,” said Rahim.
He challenged his players to rise to the occasion.
“This is a team game but individual game is very important. At the end of the day a single bowler or batsman can change the game.
“We have tried to send this message to the players. So everyone knows their roles. The time has now come to apply that in the middle.
“For instance Nasir (Hossain) was dropped. His dropping was a message that if a player does not perform he will be dropped.
“So, I think the players should try to utilise this opportunity and play well. We don’t always get a chance to dominate in cricket so we will try to do that in this Test hopefully.”
Online Reporter