The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe will today walk back onto the pitch hoping to end their nine-game losing streak and stay alive in their three-match Prayag Cup One Day International series against India.
After Friday’s agonising four-run loss to the Asian giants, the hosts have now lost their last nine ODIs dating back to the win over UAE at the World Cup in February and gaffer Dav Whatmore is seething.
“Well, I’m pretty upset”, remarked the 61-year-old gaffer.
“At this stage of the game, we are still finding it difficult to finish off games and cross the line.
“We had India in trouble at 87 for five but couldn’t put them away and they managed to reach 255.
“The batting failed to build on any good starts or construct any meaningful partnerships.
“This is with exception of Elton Chigumbura and Graeme Cremer’s 86-run seventh wicket partnership but that came at the end when we were already under pressure.
“Had it come up earlier up the order then we would be talking about something completely different,’ he said.
As such, Whatmore still believes the team is getting closer and has urged his charges to put up an improved performance when they square up against India again today.
“We are getting closer and closer with every game. We just need to improve on a few things with both the bat and ball but pay particular attention on our mental strength, “he said.
Whatmore will, however, be smarting on the fitness of seamer Tinashe Panyangara, who might join Tendai Chatara on the sidelines, after the 29-year-old had to be withdrawn with what appeared to be an abdominal strain.
“We haven’t been told yet the extent of his injury, though he is set to meet up with the physiotherapist today (yesterday) after which we will receive a proper diagnosis and plot a way forward,’ he said.
In his absence, it will be a toss up between Midwest Rhinos seamer Neville Madziva and Tuskers’ Christopher Mpofu as probable replacements.
Under normal circumstances, Mpofu, a veteran of 66 internationals, should be the clear favourite due to his vast experience.
Chamunorwa Chibhabha and skipper Elton Chigumbura, clearly the best performers during the first ODI, will be counted on yet again to lead Zimbabwe’s quest for a much needed win.
Chibhabha was chief of Zimbabwe’s bowlers finishing with two for 25, his best bowling figures in the one-day arena. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate that with the bat, after his lack of footwork saw him edge an out-swinger from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ajinkya Rahane at slip.
He could only manage a paltry three runs. Chigumbura, on the other hand will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form with the bat.
Chigumbura scored an unbeaten 104 off 101 balls, his second consecutive century albeit on the losing cause after his 117 off 95 balls during the opener against Pakistan back in May.
He was then suspended for the remainder of the Pakistan tour.
