THE Zimbabwe cricket team leaves for the tour of Bangladesh on Thursday fully aware of what to expect from the hosts — a lot of spin bowling.

The Chevrons, who are currently fine tuning their act in the Lowveld, spent most of last week in what was a dubbed a spin camp as coach Steve Mangongo with the help of South African coach/analyst Justin Sammons sought a winning gear.

Spin proved a challenge for Zimbabwe the last time they played in Bangladesh with two left-arm orthodox spinners Enamul El Haque Junior and veteran Mohammed Rafique wreaking havoc.

So how can this spin test be overcome?

A chat with Sammons suggested the mind plays a crucial role before application and technique comes into play.

Correct mindset

“They are a talented group of players, they have the ability, all of them have technique, it’s just about really applying the mind correctly,” Sammons told The Sunday Mail after the team’s session last Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.

Habits

“I have seen improvements definitely and it goes without saying, the more times you do something correctly, the more confidence you are going to have in that, so I think that’s the key . . . they now believe in.

“If you go into a series knowing that I am going to face 80 overs of spin, then you should have the confidence knowing that I have prepared well.

Application

“There is technique in playing spin correctly, especially in different conditions, with the ball skidding on and their left-arm orthodox bowlers bowling around the wicket to the right hander, they are targeting the pads, they are targeting dismissals such as bowled.

“And it shows with Abdul Razzak, in his entire One Day career, 54 percent of his dismissals have come from either bowled or leg before wicket which means he is bowling straight, the ball skids on, so there is correct technique to apply when facing that type of bowling.

“If you are defending you can’t over-commit the front foot, you can’t have a bigger stride, you need to get the hands in front.”

Stick to a plan

“If the pitch is bouncing inconsistently and an offy (off spinner) is bowling on a fourth — fifth stump line, you can’t sweep unless you judge length perfectly , whereas if it bounces consistently and it’s turning and an off spinner is bowling on that line, then a sweep can be used.

“Definitely hitting straight is an option even with a left-arm orthodox coming around and he may be straightening, still don’t look to go too much cover, too much inside out rather look to hit straight.

“Better stick to a plan. This is how I am going to play and don’t step outside that, don’t try do something different with that higher risk, take the lower risk option.”

Stern test for the Chevrons

TEST captain Brendan Taylor is optimistic his side will handle the spin challenge well when they face Bangladesh in a three-Test series.

It will be Zimbabwe’s first visit to the sub-continent country to play Test matches since 2005 and Taylor is aware of the danger posed by the Tigers at home.

“We have got some experienced players, we understand their bowlers and it is going to be a struggle, but it’s one challenge we are looking forward to. Our preparations have been excellent. We have focused a lot on spin, scuffing up the wickets at practice and we have made it hard for ourselves.

“You have to practice and prepare the way you are going to play in a match and you have to do that day in day out,” he said.

Zimbabwe lost the two-match series 1-0, the last time they toured Bangladesh with spin also the chief reason for their downfall, but the 28-year-old Taylor believes a series victory is possible this time around.

“Mentally, we have to be stronger than them, we have got a good side, we have got good spinners ourselves and there is no reason why we can’t win a Test series over there, it’s possible,” said the top-order batsman.