Chawaguta on test

[zimfan1]

Chawaguta on test

By Tinashe Kusema

NATIONAL coach Walter Chawaguta has thrown down the gauntlet: he wants his charges to prove their worth when given the chance as Zimbabwe prepare to host Kenya in a five-match ODI series.

The series will act as a dress rehearsal for a trickier trip to Bangladesh at the end of the month, and the gaffer has committed to giving every player in the squad a chance to prove their mettle.
The five games will be played on October 12, 13, 15, 17 and 18.
“We have a very competent 16-man squad in camp for both the Kenya and Bangladesh series, but intend to only travel with about 15, so we will give each and every player a chance to play and prove their worth, during the Kenya series, before we drop anyone.
“We are going to try out a lot of combinations in both our batting and bowling departments with Mark Vermeulen, Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor all having a chance at open, while we will try work out conducive bowling options,” said the gaffer.
Four changes have been made to the team with Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Edward Rainsford and Tawanda Mupariwa all being dropped.
In their place Tatenda Taibu, Foster Mtizwa, Christopher Mpofu and Kyle Jarvis have all been roped in.
Jarvis, who has been described as the answer to Zimbabwe’s bowling woes due to his raw pace and stamina, is expected to make his debut and likely to partner Elton Chugumbura upfront.
He recently returned from his base in South Africa, at Tuks Academy, where he was rumoured to be bowling at an avarage of 140km per hour, which is well above some of the fastest bowlers. Meanwhile, former skipper Taibu is expected to finish the last half of his suspension and has been named in the squad to travel to Bangladesh.
“Taibu has been named in the 16-man squad but will only be available for the trip to Bangaldesh, as he will have completed his full suspension during the Kenya series.
“In the meantime Taylor, Charles Coventry and Mtizwa will likely act as wicketkeepers in his absence,” went on the gaffer.
Meanwhile, Kenya will be banking on the experience of all-rounders Steve Tikolo and Thomas Odoyo, who ironically will now play their first-class cricket in Zimbabwe after signing with Masvingo-based franchise Southern Rocks.
With over 250 ODIs between them, their exeprience will be valuable, especially given the fact that they have new coach, former West Indies all-rounder Eldine Baptiste, who is still trying to adjust to the Kenyan style of play.
The only meaningful change made was the inclusion of opener Raghed Aga, who was roped in on the eve of their departure from Kenya following Seren Walters’ injury.
Kenya, not known for their bowling prowess, will obviously be banking on the likes of left-arm spinner Hiren Varaiya and all-rounder Nehemiah Odhiambo for the wickets while the Obuya brothers, Collins and David, together

[Boundary]

“In the meantime Taylor, Charles Coventry and Mtizwa will likely act as wicketkeepers in his absence,” went on the gaffer.

It looks like Taibu is the first choice wicket-keeper in the eyes of Chawaguta.

[Conant]

And so he should be with all of us.