The Sunday Mail

Tinashe Kusema
THE Chevrons’ abysmal show against minnows Afghanistan has to claim some scalps, analysts contend.
Zimbabwe lost both the ODI and T20 series’ to the Asian minnows.
Now as the country rummages through wreckage of yet another disappointing outing, cricket analysts have called for drastic measures ahead of the forthcoming series against Bangladesh.

Dav Whatmore (left) with Sean Williams

The senior national cricket team is expected to travel to the sub-continent for a three ODI and two T20 series, which is expected to run between 7 and 15 November. The commentators argue something needs to change within the Chevrons set up. “There comes a time when we have to address the large elephant in the room and start asking the hard questions,” said former Zimbabwean international Dirk Viljeon.
“I am at a loss for words as to what went wrong against Afghanistan. How does a team go from beating Ireland comprehensively to losing to a team like Afghanistan?
“I take away nothing from Afghanistan, they played their hearts out and deserved to win, but Zimbabwe should be winning games like these. “I think what the Zimbabwe Cricket board and technical team needs to do now is hold an intervention. Bring in the players, breakdown their contributions to the team and remove any dead wood.” Viljeon’s sentiments were echoed by Dean Du Plessis.
“We have done absolutely everything possible to effect change – bringing in new coaches, dropping players and shifting around the technical department but still results continue to evade us. “I think it’s time we start questioning our standing on the international stage. Maybe we don’t really have the talent needed to compete at such a level. “If you look at our Under-19 team, the squad that has just been announced, most of the players on that team learn abroad and it is little things like these that paint a bad picture of our cricket.“The system has failed to create and develop new players,” he said Asked their opinions on Zimbabwe’s chances in Bangladesh, the analysts were divided. One analyst, who preferred anonymity, chose to concentrate on the positives and believes there is still hope for the Chevrons. “While the loss to Afghanistan is very disheartening, there were some positives to come out of the last two tours. “Zimbabwe dominated Ireland and finally beat them comprehensively, with some of the new guys like Luke Jongwe and Wellington Masakadza shining.
“The senior players, those that remain in the team, have been consistent this year and by this I mean the likes of Sikander Raza Butt, Craig Ervine, Chamu Chibhabha and Sean Williams. “ZC should now build their team around these guys, identify new talent and make an example of those non-performing players by dropping them. “Bangladesh, while a very potent side, has been known to be complacent at times and if we play our cards right we can actually make a series out of this trip,”’ he said. Viljeon reckons anything can happen in Bangladesh.
“The one thing that Zimbabwe has going for them is their inconsistency. You never know which team will show up, be it the one that comprehensively beat Ireland or the one that lost to Afghanistan. “Bangladesh was obviously following the recent Afghanistan series and we can only hope that complacency creeps in and the right Zimbabwe shows up. It could actually turn out to be a very entertaining series,” he said. Du Plessis is less optimistic. “These two teams have met countless times and know each other very well. “Bangladesh, fully aware of Zimbabwe’s weakness in spin, will definitely prepare a very slow pitch and rely mostly on their left-arm spinners,” he said.

‘Perform or risk the chop’

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE CRICKET convener of selectors Kenyon Zeihl has called for an instant response when the Chevrons travel to Bangladesh.
“I am very disappointed with the way the team performed,” he said.
“We really did ourselves a disservice by not applying ourselves to the best of our abilities. We didn’t apply ourselves in every department, whether be it fielding, batting, bowling or even the wicket keeping.
“We didn’t bowl tight enough or in the correct line, nor did we back ourselves when batting and fielding.
“However, it wasn’t all gloom and doom as we had the likes of Sean Williams who batted extremely well to his maiden centuries in the ODI and then equalled the record for the fastest T20 half-century by a Zimbabwean.
“We also had the likes of Tendai Chisoro, Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jongwe doing well on their debuts, while more seasoned players like Craig Ervine, Sikander Raza Butt and Chamunorwa Chibhabha all chipped in with crucial runs.
“Certainly we are not as bad as the results would suggest, but all that is needed now is for the lads to execute their basics right, toughen up mentally and apply themselves.”
Zeihl says they will not hesitate to axe non performers. “The message we have sent to the players is that we require an instant response when the team travels to Bangladesh.
“I believe it is also ideal that the Asians will be sending their A side for a three ODI and a four day game series as it affords us the opportunity to monitor both camps.
“The goal here is to identify players who might be ready for promotion into the senior side, while we give the non-performers an opportunity to rediscover their form with the A side.
“There certainly will be more cuts and changes to both teams in the coming months, starting with the tour to Bangladesh,” he said.