England star backs Zimbabwe

[zimfan1]

By Robson Sharuko

FORMER England paceman Chris Silverwood has been impressed by the talent that he has seen in Zimbabwe cricket and believes the nation has the potential to return to the Test arena in about two years.

Silverwood, who turns 35 next month, has been in this country since the beginning of the year after signing for Mashonaland Eagles.

He will coach the Eagles during the Stanbic Twenty20 series, which gets underway a Harare Sports Club tomorrow, and yesterday he told the media that he has been impressed with the potential in the domestic game.

Silverwood, who was released by English county side Middlesex, arrived at Mash Eagles as a player/coach having played six Tests and seven ODIs for his country.

Former England bowling coach Bob Cottam once remarked that Silverwood was faster than legendary South African paceman Allan Donald.

The right arm fast medium bowler spent 13 years at English county side Yorkshire and was part of a rich production line that gave England the likes of Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom.

“The talent here is fantastic,” said Silverwood yesterday at the media briefing to mark the official launch of the Stanbic Twenty20 tournament.

“I think Zimbabwe should be back in Test cricket in about two years; it’s possible, and we are on our way to achieving these targets.

“The future is very exciting.”

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute said while the advent of Twenty20 cricket had revolutionised the game, it was his board’s ultimate mission to take the country back to its Test status.

“We have benefited from the immense popularity of the game whose short, sharp format makes it easily consumable and so the ideal vehicle to spread cricket into new markets, making it for us in Zimbabwe a truly national sport, and worldwide, a truly global sport,” said Bvute.

“We have benefited too from the immense popularity of the game whose short, sharp format appeals to the young generation which is otherwise besieged by a variety of other competing products from the sport and entertainment industry.

“But throughout, we have remained cognisant of the challenge facing world cricket; which is to forge a balance between the Test, One-Day International and Twenty20 formats of the game.

“Thus, ZC continues with its groundwork to prepare for our resumption of Test participation so that we can start to fulfil all our obligations to the Future Tours Programme, as befits our stature as a full member of the ICC.” The Stanbic Twenty20 tournament will run under the licence of Domino Sport, a sports management company, but ZC will have the overall control.

Stanbic Bank 20 Series Participating Teams:

Southern Rocks

C. Chibhabha, E. Chauluka, T. Chisoro, C. Ervine, S. Ervine( C ), T. Kamungozi, H. Matanga, B. Mahwire, I. Harvey, A. Marengwede, T. Machiri, T. Odoyo, S. Tikolo Coaches: Makunura, Ube.

Namibian Desert Vipers

W. Groenawald, Z. Groenawald, L. Klazinga, T. Louw, R. Mayande, A. Paladino, P. Rossouw, G. Rudolph, B. Scholtz, R. van Schoor, T. Verwey, C. Viljoen, C. Williams. Coaches: Rudolph, Engelbrecht

Midwest Rhinos

B. Chapungu, M. Chinouya, I. Chikunya, G. Cremer, F. Kasteni, T. Muzarabani, R. Nyathi, M. Nkala, E, Rainsford, V. Sibanda (C), B. Taylor, M. Waller, R. Wessels. Coaches: C. Mahachi, A Waller.

Mashonaland Eagles

E. Chigumbura (C), G. Lamb, R. Chakabva, F. Mutizwa, C. Zhuwawo, R. Price, P. Masvaure, D. Hondo, R. Butterworth, M. Mbofana, A. Manyumwa, T. Gare, D. Marillier. Coaches: C Silverwood, Madyembwa.

Mountaineers

H. Masakadza ( C), S. Matsikenyeri, P. Utseya, T. Maruma, S. Maasakadza, N. Mushangwe, T. Mawoyo, B. Mlambo, J. Marumisa, Nyamuzinga, D. Tiripano, T. Taibu, N. Ncube. Coaches: . Mangongo, G. Sangare.



Tuskers

G. Aliseni, A. Blignaut, C. Coventry, K. Dabengwa, D. Ebrahim, G. Ewing ( C ), K. Meth, G. Nyumbu, T. Mupariwa, C. Mpofu, T. Mboyi, G. Strydom, S. Williams. Coaches: R. Brown, S. Timoni.
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[sloandog]

Nice to hear. He's done nothing but back Zimbabwe 100% since he landed here. This man deserves a lot of praise for the work he's done.