The Sunday Mail
Zimbabwe Cricket coach Dav Whatmore has hailed his batsmen for showing signs of form ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month.
Two centuries were scored by World Cup bound batsmen, Sikandar Raza (104) and Brendan Taylor (101) during a Pro 50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Hamilton Masakadza (93) was on track to notch up his own ton when rain interrupted play, in Bulawayo there were also runs for Craig Ervine (70) and Sean Williams (48).
And this came as a relief for the 60-year-old coach, who watched yesterday’s action at Harare Sports Club.
“It’s a good thing, it’s good to know that the batsmen in the squad are getting runs,” said Whatmore.
“Sean Williams has got some runs, Craig Ervine scored a hundred last week and also got some runs today (yesterday), I think.
“Raza, BT and Hamilton, it’s a good sign, good to know the boys are going with a little bit of form.
“Obviously it’s not international, it’s domestic cricket, (but) you can perform in the game you are playing here, this is the premier 50 over league in the country,” he said.
Whatmore said his boys were fade up with losing, something they have become accustomed to, and were keen to string some good results starting at the World Cup.
“They are all very keen to prove that they can do it and I think they have had enough of turning up and losing matches, that’s a big motivation and it comes from within.”
The Australian, who is assisted by former Zimbabwe international, Douglas Hondo, said slow bowlers had a crucial role to play at the World Cup despite conditions favouring the pace men. “We have got a bowling attack that is giving us a lot of options, some of those can bat as well so that gives you the strength. We feel we have picked a bowling group that can exploit the conditions in New Zealand and Australia.
“They (slow bowlers) have a part to play for sure, they will need to play a role,’’ said Whatmore.
Zimbabwe will leave for the tournament on January 28 to play a number of warm up matches in New Zealand ahead of the start of the tournament on Valentine’s Day.
