adminJeffrey Murimbechi in Bulawayo
ONE day cricket is a simplified game and only teams that make simple situations complex suffer the wrath of veering from the basics.
Zimbabwe is already 4-0 down in the Celkom Mobile Series against India and the last ODI will be redemption for the revival of the implementation of basic cricket aspects when conditions favour it.
Zimbabwe had a habitual full throttle pre-match training session with Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor being the first to take on the net session at Queens Sports Club, while the Indian’s took a day off and did not have any pre-match rituals other than relaxation — as they are almost certain of a series whitewash.
The world champions attributed their success in this series to their ability to do the simple things well.
“I was just focusing on keeping things simple and stick to basics. I did not want to try too many things and it worked for me today. After coming into the Indian team I have learnt a lot from bowling coach Joe Dawes. It’s just sticking to the basics and working on your strengths and improving on that. As far as learning new things in bowling, I can do that later and not in match situations,” said 24-year-old man-of-the-match on Thursday Mohit Mahipal Sharma celebrating his debut appearance.
One day cricket is now defined by how well each team bats, it is the distinction between winners and losers in any match. Zimbabwe has been struggling immensely in that regard and it is scary to have Elton Chigumbura, a regular number seven batsman and Prosper Utseya a tail-ender, leading the Zimbabwe batting statistics in this series. The top six batsmen have been under serious scrutiny for poor performances and the spirits in camp are deflated and the focus may be on the oncoming Pakistan series later this month.
“We are all trying to improve in every game, but it’s unfortunate on this tour we haven’t done so. But if you look at our past history, playing at home we have done well.
“It’s just one of those tours, where things are not coming together on the batting side. We just need to finish well, and hopefully when Pakistan come our batting will gel,” said Elton Chigumbura after his unbeaten half century on Thursday.
Today’s match is ideal for players such as Natsai Mushangwe, Timycen Maruma, Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Kyle Jarvis to get their last crack at the world champions, for this opportunity only comes once in a life-time for most of them.
Online Reporter