Zimbabwe national cricket team caretaker coach Steve Mangongo says he respects their opponents Bangladesh as the two teams at the basement of Test rankings prepare to renew their rivalry in a month-long tour that begins next week, according to report published in Zimbabwe’s daily Herald on Friday. The teams are set to clash in a two-match Test series, three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches in Harare and Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in a one-off Test match and were also 3-2 winners in the ODI series the last time the Asians toured in 2011.
Bangladesh, who gave a commendable account in their last outing in Sri Lanka recently, arrived in Harare on Thursday and the home side is aware of the possible backlash from the Tigers.
‘We respect any international team that we play against. Bangladesh are a good side and they have been playing some good cricket of late. They did well in their last tour in Sri Lanka. So we hold them in high respect,’ Mangongo was quoted as saying by Herald
Bangladesh have made it no secret that they are not amused by losing to Zimbabwe and they have roped in former Pakistan Test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as a spin consultant ahead of the tour.
Zimbabwe are looking to make the most of the few days before the first Test, which begins next Wednesday, following the disruptions in their preparations last weekend as players clashed with the association over contractual agreements with non-contracted players.
The issue was resolved quickly with Sikandar Raza Butt, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Keegan Meth, Natsai M’shangwe, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami and Malcolm Waller all taking up the contracts.
But there was mixed news in the Zimbabwe camp on Thursday as middle order batsman Craig Ervine opted out and left for the United Kingdom to play club cricket while Sean Williams was reported to have put pen to paper.
Williams however, is yet to report for camp.
However, Zimbabwe have since moved a gear up in their preparations and yesterday they dedicated the whole day practicing to playing spin.
The batsmen were brutally exposed in their last tour in West Indies where they found it difficult against the experienced opponents especially when facing the spinners.
‘The biggest headache from our recent trip in West Indies is the batting. We were cruelly exposed by the spinners in West Indies, so we don’t have to kid ourselves by giving a false impression of the situation we are in.
‘We need to work hard because Bangladesh had a decent outing in Sri Lanka while we struggled in West Indies.
‘We met with the players (last week) and gave each other a working programme, emphasising the role each player is expected to play in the team. It doesn’t help the team if someone goes out there and score 20 or 30 runs because in a Test match you can always lose if you don’t put up enough runs.
‘I am glad the response has been good and a lot of hard work is being put into the preparations. We have seen a lot of skills and good technique being displayed,’ said Mangongo.
While the coach was not entirely pleased by some of his senior batsmen, Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza who failed to get runs during the practice match this week, he said there were positives in the approach.
Former captain Elton Chigumbura, who was dropped for the last tour of West Indies, appears to have done his home work as he scored 67 in the practice match.
Mangongo said all the players will have to work hard to earn a place in the team.
‘The good is we have not made it a secret that everyone has to raise the bar because no one has the right to play in the national team without proving himself. So far Kyle Jarvis is the only player who is guaranteed a place.
‘Guys like Mutumbami and Maruma are not here by chance. They have been doing well in the domestic competitions with good averages so we should give such players chance.
‘I don’t think we will have another practice game because we don’t want the players to get strained before the tour begins.
‘We are going to have a centre wicket practice and I tell the players that you pick yourself in to the team by the way you perform at practice. I am glad Elton has shown great work ethic as he batted well and also bowled well.’
-With New Age input
