Zimbabwe XI cricket team leaves for Holland
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:30 pm
http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=21556&cat=5
And the confusion continues...THE Zimbabwe XI cricket team left for the Netherlands yesterday to play the hosts in a four-day match of the Intercontinental Cup on Sunday.
Zimbabwe left with a squad of 15 players and a technical team led by coach Steve Mangongo and bowling coach Heath Streak.
They are scheduled to play the Netherlands in a one day international match this Friday before getting down to serious business in the four-day match pencilled in to start on Sunday.
After completing the Netherlands leg, the team will proceed to Canada and will engage the hosts in their next match of the Intercontinental Cup tournament in a fortnight.
Former national team opener Vusi Sibanda who is the country’s leading run scorer in the tournament has been named captain and will lead the side in all the matches during the tour.
Also among the travelling party were young players Nathan Waller, Natsai Mshangwe and Tendai Chatara who have just graduated from the Under-19 team.
Left handed batsman Craig Ervine, who seems to be strengthening his position for a berth in the national team, was also among the travelling party.
Former national team player Stuart Matsikenyeri —who had experienced a dip in form — also travelled after showing signs of improvement playing at the High Performance Academy.
The only changes that were effected to the team that beat Kenya by five wickets in their last game at home was the omission of Friday Kasteni, Gregory Strydom, John Nyumbu and injured Kyle Jarvis who were not included in the squad.
Mangongo expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations and was confident they were going to pick up from where they left in the tournament.
"I am impressed by the efforts we put in during the last two weeks of camp. Otherwise what is now left is to go there and play and hopefully we get the positive results that we need.
"We have been working very hard with all the players to try and improve their skill and technique.
"We have no need to worry and I am very confident that if we carry our form into the game, nothing will stop us.
"The players also know the importance of these games which are part of the roadmap to Test status.
"Everyone is eager to do well and enhance their bid for recognition to the national team," said Mangongo.
Zimbabwe have played two games in the Intercontinental Cup. The first match ended in a draw against Afghanistan and they beat Kenya by five wickets in the second.
They occupy fourth position on the table with 23 points. Scotland lead the seven-team tables with 69 points from four games.
Squad
Vusi Sibanda (captain), Forster Mtizwa, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Charles Coventry, Chamu Chibabha, Regis Chakabva, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tendai Chatara, Ed Rainsford, Keith Dabengwa, Shingirai Masakadza, N. Mshangwe, Malcolm Waller, Timycen Maruma.
