Streak backs his boys to deliver at home

By Mehluli Sibanda,

Despite being humiliated by Afghanistan in a One Day International in the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak has backed his lads to deliver on home turf during the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Zimbabwe were thrashed 4-1 by the fast improving Afghanistan in an ODI series played in Sharjah. The series loss saw two changes being made to the team as the Tatenda Taibu led selection panel buckled under pressure. Left handed batsmen, Cephas Zhuwao and Sean Williams were recalled to the team at the expense of Ryan Burl as well as Tarisai Musakanda.

Streak strongly believes the team’s display in UAE was not a true reflection of what they are capable of doing.

“We will certainly do better in these conditions, we are better than the performances we put up in UAE. I am backing us to play a lot better, Afghanistan is going be a challenge. In UAE, the ball didn’t swing much, here the conditions will suit our bowling better,’’ Streak said.

Williams is likely to miss at least Zimbabwe’s first two group matches as he is still recovering from a finger injury. Streak is, however, convinced that the left hander will play crucial part when he becomes available.

“He(Williams) had a broken finger, he was meant to be with us in UAE but could not do so because of the injury, he is training with us this week, the screw will be taken out, he might miss one of two games but he is available for the rest,’’ Streak said.

The Chevrons, who were given some time off after their arrival from UAE last Wednesday have their first training session at the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy tomorrow prior to taking on Ireland in a warm up match at Queens Sports on Tuesday. Zimbabwe have yet another fine tuning opportunity, this time with Papua New Guinea at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Thursday.

Streak has challenged the batsmen, who were hugely a disappointment against Afghanistan to deliver in the World Cup Qualifier.

“We need our batters to turn up, we need to do that more consistently. Our bowling and fielding has been excellent,’’ he said. The Graeme Cremer led Zimbabwe play their first group match at Queens on Sunday when they go up against Nepal with. Zimbabwe’s biggest challenge is two days later, at the same venue as they clash with Afghanistan. Hong Kong are Zimbabwe’s third opponents on 10 March at Queens before they round up their group fixtures against Scotland at BAC two days later.

If Zimbabwe top their group, they will take on the winners of the pool A at Queens on 15 March in the only Super Sixes fixture lined up for Bulawayo.

From there, the action moves over to Harare and Kwekwe.

Zimbabweans would be keeping their fingers crossed that come 25 March, the Chevrons are one of the two teams in the final at Harare Sports Club. A place in the final guarantees Zimbabwe a ticket to next year’s Cricket World Cup in England. The Sunday Mail