Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu has hit out at the way Zimbabwe cricket is run on the eve of their return to Test ranks against Bangladesh in Harare tomorrow.
Zimbabwe return from their self-imposed six-year exile in a one-off match after convincing the powers that be of their ability to again function as a full-member Test-playing nation.
The return of former players such as Heath Streak and Grant Flower to the coaching team has enthused outsiders that Zimbabwe are capable of returning to the competitive force they were at the turn of the century.
Taibu has, however, cast doubt over the goodwill over Zimbabwe`s return, claiming the country`s administrators had only "painted a house that is about to fall".
"I don`t think much has changed really, the administration is still struggling to run cricket in the country well," he said.
"For example, the guys haven`t been paid their match fees from August last year up to now.
"At the moment, I am sitting here without a contract, no one has got a contract; those are all things that the administration is struggling to deal with.
"When you walk around and you see a house that`s painted well, you will think that house is really standing strong but if does not have a strong foundation, it will fall down one day or another.
"Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has just painted a house that`s about to fall."
While Taibu`s comments are worrying he is enthused about the ability of the current team, which will be led by Brendan Taylor for the first time, to overcome any perceived problems and test a Bangladesh side that will play its first five-day game in 14 months.
"To see the guys running in and bowling and hitting a lot of balls in the nets it really shows that the guys have got the country at heart," he said.
"We are on the verge of a Test match and no one has got a contract, no one knows what we will get paid, but the guys love their country and they can`t see cricket drop like that."
Bangladesh have arrived in Zimbabwe looking to impress under new coach Stuart Law after he was appointed last month.
Law has identified the need to strengthen the Tigers` mental approach to the longer form, as he looks to make a winning start.
"It`s not a skill problem as I`ve seen. The players are highly skilled," said Law, who could hand debuts to Nasir Hossain and Shuvugato Hom.
"It`s the mental approach that has to change in Test cricket. They have to find a tempo that suits Test cricket with their batting.
"If we can find the right tempo, we can post scores that the bowlers can bowl at.
"I`ve set a challenge for us to bat 120 overs in the first innings. If we can do that, 350-plus should be an achievable target."
Team Overview:
Mahmudullah was the only Bangladesh regular who was in doubt for this match after hurting his hand in the tour game, but was given the all-clear on Wednesday. Uncapped Nasir Hossain may have to watch from the sidelines as Bangaldesh are likely field an experienced XI.
Mahmudullah was the only Bangladesh regular who was in doubt for this match after hurting his hand in the tour game, but was given the all-clear on Wednesday. Uncapped Nasir Hossain may have to watch from the sidelines as Bangaldesh are likely field an experienced XI.
Bangladesh: (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Shahriar Nafees, 5 Mohammad Ashraful, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Mahmudullah, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Robiul Islam
Zimbabwe are likely to have four Test debutants in their line-up, opening batsman Tino Mawoyo, middle-order man Craig Ervine and bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori. With conditions unlikely to favour spinners, Ray Price could be used as a containing option.
Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Tinotenda Mawoyo, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Hamilton Maskadzaa, 4 Brendan Taylor (capt), 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Craig Ervine, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Kyle Jarvis, 9 Ray Price, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Brian Vitori
Pitch and conditions
Winter brings with it dryness and it is understood that the ground staff have been putting effort into making the pitch lively. It has a fair covering of grass on it and is expected to assist the seamers early on. With the weather set to remain sunny and cool, the pitch will flatten and become good for batting.
Pitch and conditions
Winter brings with it dryness and it is understood that the ground staff have been putting effort into making the pitch lively. It has a fair covering of grass on it and is expected to assist the seamers early on. With the weather set to remain sunny and cool, the pitch will flatten and become good for batting.
Stats and trivia
- Zimbabwe is the first place Bangladesh played a Test away from home, in Bulawayo, in 2001. They are also the country first team Bangladesh beat in Test cricket, by 226 runs, in Chittagong in 2005
- Collectively, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have won 11 Tests and lost 108
- Tamim Iqbal has scored in a century in each of Bangladesh's last two Test matches, in England last year
- Only three members in Zimbabwe's current squad played in their last Test, against India in September 2005 - Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu
0 comments:
Post a Comment