Butcher Looks Forward to World Cup

[maehara]

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=2771&cat=5

ZIMBABWE’S 2010/11 season got underway with a nervy two-wicket win in a One-Day International cricket match against Ireland at Harare Sports Club yesterday that left more questions than answers for their coach Alan Butcher.

At times, during yesterday’s run chase by the hosts, it was easy to get a flood of the the bad memories of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean where the match, against the same opponents, produced a tie when Zimbabwe appeared cruising to victory.

Yesterday the hosts appeared cruising with Tatenda Taibu looking comfortable before he gave his wicket away. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals and they had to rely on the last ball six by man-of-the match Edward Rainsford when needing one run from the last ball for victory. The victory left Butcher with more questions than answers as the he looks ahead to the season, in general, and next year’s World Cup in the Indian sub-continent in particular.

“There is a lot to improve but it’s always good to win and I was hoping for a controlled batting performance and winning comfortably,” said the Englishman after the match reflecting on the first game of the new season

Butcher is already looking ahead to the World Cup, using the current series, the tour of South Africa next month and later Bangladesh to look for the right personnel who will be able to adapt to the conditions in the subcontinent.

“I need to sort out the right personnel for the World Cup. There are still one or two positions still up for grabs and you would appreciate that I am still reasonably new to the job and the winter break meant I couldn’t watch all the players on the franchise scene.

“I am looking for that type of player that will adapt to the sub-continent conditions and I will be using this series, the tour to South Africa next month and later Bangladesh, ” said Butcher.

One person who might have caught the eye of the coach and the selectors to force his way into the World Cup party is Rainsford whose 4 for 23 and his cool head, facing the last ball needing one run to win, has definitely won him more friends.

“I wasn’t feeling under any pressure coming into this game because I have been practising hard and doing the right things and playing franchise cricket prepares you to play for your country. I have never been in that situation before,” said Rainsford on his match-winning performance.

[sloandog]

For god sake just get Sean Williams in !
We need another Andy Flower type player in that middle order

[tawac]

... playing franchise cricket prepares you to play for your country. I have never been in that situation before,” said Rainsford on his match-winning performance.

Are reeping the rewards for better structures in our first class cricket already???? I guess practise makes perfect. Rainsford is one bowler who has always had a few good knocks in the domestic games.

Thumbs Up!!! ZC

[sloandog]

Whilst we're on the subject of the world cup, I've just noticed that a new picture of Andy Blignaut has been taken on cricinfo in a new Zimbabwe Cricket Polo shirt. A number of other players have also had their photos taken :Malcolm Waller, Ray Price, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Tatenda Taibu, Alistair Margewde etc.
My pint is, surely he's part of our set-up if he's had his photo taken ??

[andybligz]

i think we will do a lot better than people expect in the sub continenet. we have 3 genuine class spin bowlers and plenty of handy spinners as well as a improving solid batting lineup. i am very exited to show the world how far we have come in the last 12 months. But sean williams needs to be in that middle order him and ervine are certantiEs to rotate the strike and bat the overs out like andy flower did for so long. Please , please . please PLEASE dont bring sibanda with the squad HE IS A TEST BATSMAN NOT A ODI BATSMAN. his place could be replaced with so much talent like mutizwa, williams,chibabha,lamb,waller even sumone like PJ moor could be the X factor , u never know

[aydee]

... playing franchise cricket prepares you to play for your country. I have never been in that situation before,” said Rainsford on his match-winning performance.

Are reeping the rewards for better structures in our first class cricket already???? I guess practise makes perfect. Rainsford is one bowler who has always had a few good knocks in the domestic games.

Thumbs Up!!! ZC

That is a real thumbs up for ZC and the new system just a year in. Good to hear...

[Zimfanatic69]

For god sake just get Sean Williams in !
We need another Andy Flower type player in that middle order

Well they took your advice.

Glad he is fit and I think he is really one for the future. It was a shame he could not convert his start into a larger innings but I think he is a tremendous talent. I completely agree with your sentiment.

BTW how are your own cricketing fortunes faring ?

[Flower power]

Vusi SIbanda should be banned from One Day games. I don realy know what the selectors see in Vusi that everyone does not .We had the Matsi problem with us and it seems it is gone .

[sloandog]

BTW how are your own cricketing fortunes faring ?

Hmmm, good and bad mate. I didn't get in the Rhinos squad, which was always going to happen, but I did have a really good season here in the U.K. The facilities at Harrare have improved dramatically. The net area was superb, but they favoured spinners more than quick bowlers