ZIMBABWE Cricket selectors' chairman Alistair Campbell says he believes the crop of players representing the country in the Grameenphone Cup five One Day International series (ODIs) against Bangladesh are the right sportsmen.
Campbell said this at a press conference soon after Zimbabwe lost by 49 runs in the second match played at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
Responding to a question posed at him whether the team's composition was the best talent the country had, Campbell said that there was a need to nurture players in the right direction.
"We have bundles of talent that need to be nurtured in the best possible way. This is the best 15 we have and I believe they are the right personnel," said Campbell.
The former national team captain who assumed the role of chief convenor at the beginning of August said they were in the process of building a strong side and called for the nation to rally behind the team and be patient, as that would take time.
Campbell said that they chose the team after consultations with coach Walter Chawaguta and captain Prosper Utseya on Zimbabwe's game plan.
"The team was selected after talking to the captain and coach on their game plan. The selection issue will be topical and subject to scrutiny but I stand by it, as these are best players that we have.
"We are in the process of building a strong team that will lead us back to Test Cricket and we need players who will up their ability by 23 percent. I am going to give all the players a fair opportunity to show their ability. Players should know that it is not easy to come into the team neither is it to get out," said Campbell.
On suspended Tatenda Taibu, Campbell had this to say: "We will have a look at him once his suspension is over. I saw him play in the Zimbabwe A team that beat Bangladesh in the warm-up match and I should admit he is a world class player."
Zimbabwe will have to work hard to overturn the tables on Bangladesh and stop them from wrapping up the series in their next match tomorrow.
The Tigers are comfortable in the driving seat with a 2-0 lead.
The decision by Utseya to have Elton Chigumbura batting at number nine instead of number seven or eight cost Zimbabwe as he had no partner to complement his runs and as a result ended up taking risky runs and was eventually run out on Tuesday.
Captain Utseya's body language as he went in to bat told a story of a tired and stressed man and it came as no surprise when he went out having scored four runs. First match hero Mark Vermuelen who saved Zimbabwe blushes with 92 runs failed to repeat the act as he managed 16 runs from 14 balls.
Bangladesh captain Shakib was happy with his century and jokingly said 300 runs was not a good number.
"We played good cricket today, fielded well and bowled well. I am happy with my century and I think 300 runs at Queens is not good enough as the conditions are good out there. The pitch is like concrete and we expect more runs," said Shakib after the match.
Judging from his comments, Bangladesh are likely to score more runs in their next match and if Zimbabwe do not revise their strategy, they are likely to be whitewashed.
Hmmmm, 23%. Strange.
