The Sunday Mail
As Zimbabwe prepare to leave for the ICC Cricket World Cup this Wednesday, the nation wonders if August 31, 2014 will inspire the Chevrons to do miracles and cause upsets against the world’s best in the gentleman’s game.
The aforementioned day is that afternoon when Harare Sports Club erupted after Prosper Utseya, not Elton Chigumbura or Brendan Taylor, heaved Mitchell Starc for six onto the grass bank.
Zimbabwe, the minnows, had floored mighty Australia. What a historic cricket day it was!
The last time Zimbabwe had done so was on June 9, 1983, in their first ever international match during the World Cup at Trent Bridge.
Australia and New Zealand will co-host the tenth edition of the ICC tournament, from Valentine’s Day up to March 29.
Neither team is in Zimbabwe’s pool B, but South Africa, who always go to such tournaments as favourites before chocking, India the defending champions, West Indies, a dangerous side and the volatile Pakistan are good enough to be on the winners’ podium at the MCG when the tournament concludes.
There are also lightweights in Pool B, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.
There is a sense of stability and satisfaction in the camp, whose technical team got experienced additions in Andy Waller (batting coach) and Walter Chawaguta as fielding coach.
The two are former head coaches of the national side, hence experienced.
However, Zimbabwe leaves for New Zealand to play a number of warm-up matches before their tournament opener versus the Proteas on February 15 in Hamilton, knowing their World Cup record needs improvements.
In 51 matches from eight appearances, Zimbabwe have a winning ratio of 19.60, with two appearances at super six stage in 1999 (Europe) and 2003 when they co-hosted with South Africa and Kenya.
Could that be surpassed or achieved by the current crop?
Interesting times lie ahead for the Chevrons, who will be going under the tutelage of a World Cup-winning coach, Dav Whatmore, who won the 1996 edition with Sri Lanka.
Of course, Zimbabwe are not expected to bring the trophy at the Harare International Airport after March 29, but are expected to beat Ireland and UAE.
Whatmore, in his first encounter with the local media, said he targets the quarter–finals, meaning his team should win at least three games.
The Elton Chigumbura-led side has been bruised and battered before and know everything about losing.
The nation will only hope fortunes will change from those boys who caused a slight tremor when Aussie fell at Harare Sports Club.
