Zimbabwe remain focussed on values

with their fate no longer in their hands, Zimbabwe’s commitment to the values of professionalism has been refreshing.
Where other teams, demoralised by three defeats in four World Cup matches, might have taken the foot off the pedal, the Zimbabweans appear to have instead boosted the intensity of their preparations.
Yesterday Alan Butcher and his men put in an intense practice session at the Pallekele International Stadium, which was high on intensity, and appeared to be sending a message that the World Cup is just their latest stop, in a long journey, to try and return to the big time.
It was the same story on Saturday, just two days after the mauling at the hands of Sri Lanka, as they put in an intensive three hour practice session at the same stadium.
You can see from their approach that this is a team that appears to have long settled on a plan that, while doing very well at the World Cup would be good, there is also need to retain focus on the bigger picture that comes with keeping their Test comeback targets on track.
Yes, the Zimbabweans have been exposed here, now and again by the established sides, but where they have been found wanting, it hasn’t certainly come out of lack of trying.
Zimbabwe’s voluntary withdrawal from Test cricket, to try and put its house in order while also respecting that values that have always represented a Test playing side, meant that the national team have had fewer international matches for the players to hone their talents in different conditions.
Incredibly, their World Cup game against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele on Thursday was their first ODI in Sri Lanka conditions for nine years.
Their first World Cup game against Australia in Ahmedabad was their first ODI game in India in six years.
“Playing in these conditions your line has to be different from other continents and the way you have to bat, more straight than across,” skipper Elton Chigumbura said.
“We’ve learnt that, but we have to apply all those things we have learnt and put it together for a good game against Pakistan.”
The chance to play in different conditions around the world will certainly come with Test status.
Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher yesterday said it will take time for the country to put itself back to the competitive level it was at the turn of the millennium.
“The future is quite positive because even 20 years ago Zimbabwe had a good side and upset teams but the pool of players in the country was quite small,” said Butcher.
“But now the black players have taken up the game, they are very talented, they love the game and they have a passion for it and it’s a matter of time before they have a culture and tradition in the game.
“I think in five to 10 years we can get back to that same level again. I’m not pessimistic about the future.
“Time will tell because there are some cricketers back in Zimbabwe who are progressing well, bowlers with a bit more pace, they were not ready for this tournament but will certainly come into consideration when we start playing Test cricket.”
Butcher said things were looking bright for both the cricket team and the nation as a whole.
“Zimbabwe has been through a period of turmoil, not cricket alone, but also politically, and it had a huge influence on cricket,” said the Englishman.
“I think at the moment the cricket side is pretty stable and the players have seen that in comparative terms, the country has been stable for a couple of years.”
Butcher said there was need for more time to keep rebuilding the relationships between the players and the cricket management and said he was certain that most of the players, who were coming back, were also being influenced by the presence of Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell who are now working within the Zimbabwe Cricket structures.
“They have been accepted by the cricket hierarchy and all these things are positive,” said Butcher. “It’s only a question of time.”
Meanwhile the Tillakaratne Dilshan show continues to illuminate not only Sri Lanka but world cricket after the opener’s brilliant century against Zimbabwe here on Thursday.
Put in to bat first, Dilshan overcame some personal challenges and ganged up with his opening partner Upul Tharang to put a double century opening partnership that set a new benchmark for the World Cup.
Dilshan also took 4 for 4.
There were concerns by some critics who questioned Chigumbura’s decision to send
Sri Lanka to bat on a good batting track.
But Dilshan, writing exclusively on his blog on BBC Sport, said Sri Lanka would have made the same decision.
“Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura’s decision to bowl after winning the toss was the correct decision, Sri Lanka would have done the same,” said Dilshan.
“Our middle order batsmen went out while trying to score quick runs after myself and Tharanga steadied the innings. I don’t think we should worry about the middle order.
“It was not a batting collapse. They had 20-25 balls left and they tried to get the maximum runs within a short period of time.’
He also talked about his wicket haul.
“Then, as we were playing one specialist spinner in Muttiah Muralitharan, I had a role to play as a part-time spinner and I performed well but it would have been better had I managed to get five wickets in addition to the 144 runs I scored,’ said Dilshan.
“But what a great day Thursday was. It was my best performance in my one-day international career. It makes it more special that it came in a World Cup.”
Then he also discussed the controversy that had stalked him going into that game.
“On Wednesday there were reports that I had failed a dope test. It is not the first time these kind of allegations have surfaced – they have done so after every recent tournament I have played in,” he said.
“I feel like there is an attempt to distract my game but I am not worried. I try to ignore the reports and concentrate on my game instead.
“What actually happened is the International Cricket Council randomly selected Ajantha Mendis and Chamara Silva to give blood samples after our game against Australia.
“They did not even take my blood sample so I simply don’t know where these reports have come from.”
He revealed that his super show against Zimbabwe wasn’t meant to make any statements to those who had questioned him.
“But I was not trying to reply my critics, or to those reports, in Thursday’s performance against Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I was not under any pressure, nor was I angry, but it is not pleasant when attempts are being made to distract you, especially when you are playing in a World Cup.
“And full credit to Upul Tharanga; it was his support and determination that kept me going as we put on a record 282 for the first wicket.
“I am really happy that together we got two World Cup records – the first time both openers recorded centuries and beating the 194 set by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti in 1999 – but our focus was winning the game not the record.”