Mawoyo pleads for focus
July 9, 2016 Sport
Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe Test opener Tino Mawoyo wants his teammates in the national A side facing their South Africa counterparts in a four-day game that starts today at Harare Sports Club to keep focused if they are to win the series.
The former Mountaineers man said they have to respect their opponents who boast of about six players who have previously played Test cricket for the Proteas.
“It is important for these players to keep their feet on the ground and try to play proper cricket.
“They should show that they deserve to be selected in the senior side.
“They should be up to the challenge since South Africa has about three players who have seen Test cricket with their senior side,” said Mawoyo.
Mawoyo, whose career has been blighted by recurring injuries, is looking to make a case for himself and hopefully get the call-up back into the Test squad.
“I have been out of international cricket for 14, 15 months, so it’s an opportunity for me to go out there and showcase my skills.
“I have had a few injuries over the last period but I’m over those now and I’m full of confidence.
“I’m happy that I have been given another opportunity and I will take it with both hands.”
Zimbabwe A Cricket team coach Douglas Hondo believes his side is good enough to turn the tables on their opponents who have dominated most of the meetings between the two countries.
Mashonaland Eagles all-rounder Tinotenda Mutombodzi is the captain of the team.
“In as much as we respect our opponents, we would also like to promise the nation that the team will stand their ground.
“Just expect the best from the team as it is made up of determined players like fast bowler Gerald Aliseni and Joylord Gumbie.
“Fans should come in their numbers to cheer the young players’ spirits as they show what they can offer to the country,” he said.
He said his team has spent the past four weeks preparing for the series and it is now up to the players to prove their worth.
“We started preparing for these matches some four weeks back. I should say we have managed to perfect both the batting and bowling aspects of the game.
“We have also been trying to prepare the players’ mentality. So I can safely say we are ready for the matches,” he said.
The South Africa A side includes six players with Test experience, among them star paceman Vernon Philander.
Hondo said the matches against South Africa A were crucial in helping Zimbabwe prepare for the Test series against New Zealand starting later this month.
South Africa A captain Stephen Cook warned his side against underestimating Zimbabwe A.
The 33-year-old opening batsman said although on paper the tourists looked stronger, they expected competitive cricket from both sides.
“I’m sure the Zimbabwe players will be up to give us a challenge so we expect a fight . . . good, competitive cricket is good for everyone as both sides are on a learning curve and trying to transfer knowledge, upskill themselves and improve the standard at all levels,” said Cook.
The tourists are being coached by Malibongwe Maketa who insisted they were approaching the matches against Zimbabwe A like they would do against any of the world’s top cricket sides. The second four-dayer is scheduled for 15-18 July 2016 at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club.
Teams:
Zimbabwe A:
Tinotenda Mutombodzi (captain) Gerald Aliseni, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Trevor Garwe, Joylord Gumbie, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Tarisai Musakanda, Natsai M’shangwe, Richard Muzhange, Victor Nyauchi and John Nyumbu.
South Africa A:
Stephen Cook (captain), Qaasim Adams, Theunis de Bruyn, Heino Kuhn, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen.
Mawoyo pleads for focus
July 9, 2016 Sport
Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe Test opener Tino Mawoyo wants his teammates in the national A side facing their South Africa counterparts in a four-day game that starts today at Harare Sports Club to keep focused if they are to win the series.
The former Mountaineers man said they have to respect their opponents who boast of about six players who have previously played Test cricket for the Proteas.
“It is important for these players to keep their feet on the ground and try to play proper cricket.
“They should show that they deserve to be selected in the senior side.
“They should be up to the challenge since South Africa has about three players who have seen Test cricket with their senior side,” said Mawoyo.
Mawoyo, whose career has been blighted by recurring injuries, is looking to make a case for himself and hopefully get the call-up back into the Test squad.
“I have been out of international cricket for 14, 15 months, so it’s an opportunity for me to go out there and showcase my skills.
“I have had a few injuries over the last period but I’m over those now and I’m full of confidence.
“I’m happy that I have been given another opportunity and I will take it with both hands.”
Zimbabwe A Cricket team coach Douglas Hondo believes his side is good enough to turn the tables on their opponents who have dominated most of the meetings between the two countries.
Mashonaland Eagles all-rounder Tinotenda Mutombodzi is the captain of the team.
“In as much as we respect our opponents, we would also like to promise the nation that the team will stand their ground.
“Just expect the best from the team as it is made up of determined players like fast bowler Gerald Aliseni and Joylord Gumbie.
“Fans should come in their numbers to cheer the young players’ spirits as they show what they can offer to the country,” he said.
He said his team has spent the past four weeks preparing for the series and it is now up to the players to prove their worth.
“We started preparing for these matches some four weeks back. I should say we have managed to perfect both the batting and bowling aspects of the game.
“We have also been trying to prepare the players’ mentality. So I can safely say we are ready for the matches,” he said.
The South Africa A side includes six players with Test experience, among them star paceman Vernon Philander.
Hondo said the matches against South Africa A were crucial in helping Zimbabwe prepare for the Test series against New Zealand starting later this month.
South Africa A captain Stephen Cook warned his side against underestimating Zimbabwe A.
The 33-year-old opening batsman said although on paper the tourists looked stronger, they expected competitive cricket from both sides.
“I’m sure the Zimbabwe players will be up to give us a challenge so we expect a fight . . . good, competitive cricket is good for everyone as both sides are on a learning curve and trying to transfer knowledge, upskill themselves and improve the standard at all levels,” said Cook.
The tourists are being coached by Malibongwe Maketa who insisted they were approaching the matches against Zimbabwe A like they would do against any of the world’s top cricket sides. The second four-dayer is scheduled for 15-18 July 2016 at Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club.
Teams:
Zimbabwe A:
Tinotenda Mutombodzi (captain) Gerald Aliseni, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Trevor Garwe, Joylord Gumbie, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Tarisai Musakanda, Natsai M’shangwe, Richard Muzhange, Victor Nyauchi and John Nyumbu.
South Africa A:
Stephen Cook (captain), Qaasim Adams, Theunis de Bruyn, Heino Kuhn, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas and Hardus Viljoen.
