Fielding is our strength: Price

[CrimsonAvenger]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 476514.cms

CHENNAI: Many teams are relying on their strong batting while some on their superb bowling for a good show at the World Cup but minnows Zimbabwe say their biggest strength is their terrific ground fielding.

Experienced leg-spinner Raymond Price, who has figured in 83 ODIs and claimed 80 wickets, said their bowlers would be complimented by their athletic fielders.

"Our greatest strength is fielding. That gives the bowler an extra cushion because I know if I happen to bowl at long hops, the fielders will somehow be able to prevent it from being a boundary," Price said.

Asked how he expects to fare at cricket's biggest carnival, starting February 19, he said, "I am not a Shane Warne, not blessed with his variations. But I know I can be accurate, and put the ball in the spot. I learned this from my father. He was a golf professional and used to relentlessly practice after office hours. I tried to do the same with cricket."

Price said he was not happy with the way things were going in Zimbabwe cricket and that's why he left the national side in 2004 but rejoined when situation improved.

"I was not happy then about Zimbabwe cricket and then I got an offer from Worcestershire, also it was my dream to play county cricket. The conditions and set up were totally different. It was good for me, and helped me become a better professional. There were former international players such as Graeme Hick, and I learned a lot from him, in terms of preparations and how to carry oneself outside the turf," he said.

"Zimbabwean cricket is only going upwards (now). From not even domestic cricket, the franchisees have put cricket on the right track. There is lot of talent and they are getting exposure. Now we have to bridge the gulf between our domestic cricket and international cricket. Thankfully, a lot of sponsors are interested in the game. We're more of a soccer nation and it has rubbed on us a bit," he added.

Saying that he was away from international cricket for Zimbabwe, Price said, "I missed international cricket for three-and-a-half years. I saw a lot of matches on the television and felt that I wanted to return to international cricket. Then one of the franchisees offered me a contract and I obliged."

Price also said that it was tough for any national team to cope with the transition phase.

"It's tough for any team if the seniors leave the team at one go. If you take out seven senior players from the Australian side, they would also struggle, and they will also take time to recover," he said.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Another Ray Price Interview:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 484981.cms

CHENNAI: He is the grandfather of the team. Ray Price, 34, has been there with the Zimbabwean team for last nine years. He has gone through the ups and downs and dealt with several non-cricketing issues which had affected Zimbabwean cricket. The team is undergoing a rebuilding process and a senior pro like him has a lot more to do than just play for his country.

Excerpts from an interview:

You have been representing Zimbabwe for a long time, but you suddenly took a break from international cricket in 2004.

I wasn't happy with the way Zimbabwean cricket was functioning. I was offered a job at Worcestershire and I was playing county cricket there. It was a good opportunity for me to get tested in different conditions as I never played cricket in England. I learnt a lot as a cricketer and the stint with team made me a lot more professional. But things started changing around Zimbabwean cricket after some years and I got a job offer from the board. Worcestershire had extended my contract, but for me playing for the country has been a priority and I didn't think twice before heading back to Zimbabwe.

Was there any lack of professional setup in the country?

My problems were more personal. There were guys like Andy Flower in the team, so there was no such problem.

When you talk about Zimbabwean cricket, is there any sort of contract that the players are offered? How does it work?

Basically, we have the franchises and we get the offer from them. So the franchises get the money from Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) to run their organizations. There are five franchises and each of them has 15 contracted players. We play the four-day competitions, Twenty20 and 50-over game. We also play 40-over game at the domestic level now.

Did you have to work for your living?

Yes, I worked till 24 because I was an amateur cricketer at that time. During my amateur days, I used to clean toilets and fix air-conditioners. It wasn't exactly a lucrative job after all. It's easier to play cricket than cleaning toilets.

You are a player who has seen two sides of Zimbabwean cricket - the best phase and the lean phase do you think things are falling into place again?

When all the seniors left, it created a massive crisis. Australia have been dominating world cricket for several years, but if you take out seven of their main 11 players, what will happen to them? It was a big blow for Zimbabwe and it will take some time to recover and get back on the right track. Now, we are better placed and the franchise system has helped cricket grow rapidly. Now a lot of the guys are 23 or 24 years old and then grow older and play international for some more time. Zimbabwe will emerge as a different outfit.

Being one of senior-most players in the team, do you also play the mentor's role?

Yeah, definitely. I enjoy the role and tell the young guys to take things as they come because at the end of the day, it's just a game. There will always be some people who make noise, but for a professional cricketer, it is important not to listen to them. Youngsters should practise hard to deliver at their best.

World Cup is a very big event in a country like India. There is a lot of excitement about it. How is the scene back home?

There is a lot of excitement back home. Soccer is the main sport in Zimbabwe, but people have started taking interest in cricket, which is definitely a big plus for us. Moreover, several sponsors are coming forward to offer financial help to the team. So things are definitely moving upward.

What will be Zimbabwe's realistic target in the World Cup?

To upset a major team. As long as we play good cricket, we always hold a fair chance to beat a better team and qualify for the next round.

[Conant]

Ha, ha! Cleaning toilets! This man is sn humble. Love him!

[ZIMDOGGY]

i was actualy under the impression this was a more weaker fielding zim side than in the past.

[maehara]

i was actualy under the impression this was a more weaker fielding zim side than in the past.

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

[bayhaus]

Definitely weaker, especialy with Duffin in (I miss Vusi in the feild) Its a humble way of saying the spinners "ME" included are our strength (Everyone knows that) and the batting department is letting us down, and our all rounder as well so once again we are grooming one of our spinners (utseya) to take on the allrounder role.

[ZIMDOGGY]

ill show you kiddies something about zimbabwe fielding....

this is a game from 94/95 in australia and zim are playing england. it involves some of the better playyers zimbabwe have had over tyhe yrs and was one of the first games i saw on tv.

i also love their kits.

the point is look how damn good their fielding is....they won the game on the back of their fielding......so much better than today. Ansd whether you care about the fielding or not its worth a look for nostalgia.


edit- copy paste isnt working....ill fill it in within a few hrs...stay tuned.

[CrimsonAvenger]

ill show you kiddies something about zimbabwe fielding....

this is a game from 94/95 in australia and zim are playing england. it involves some of the better playyers zimbabwe have had over tyhe yrs and was one of the first games i saw on tv.

i also love their kits.

the point is look how damn good their fielding is....they won the game on the back of their fielding......so much better than today. Ansd whether you care about the fielding or not its worth a look for nostalgia.


edit- copy paste isnt working....ill fill it in within a few hrs...stay tuned.

Are you talking about this? WSC '95: Good night England! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lERj1Zw4ceE

That was a great match...

[ZIMDOGGY]

the avenger beat me too it!

[CrimsonAvenger]

http://zimcricketforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=864. This thread has pretty much every video of good Zim performances of the past.