India, SriLanka and Zimbabwe in tri-series cricket
The story of Zimbabwe cricket is like a country starting anew life after a deadly war. Which was once a save heaven for cricket had been turned into a no-go area in the recent past. In the past, Zimbabwe was a healthy cricketing nation with players such as Heath Streak, the Flower brothers, Alistair Campbell, Paul Strang, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Henry Olonga, Guy Whittall and Stuart Carlisle at the bottom of the line up. The Zimbabwean team rose from being the minnows of world cricket to a potent force in the late nineties. Since their decline, cricket in Zimbabwe has just started rising from the shambles. Prosper Utseya's resignation from captaincy was the first roadblock that hit the Zimbabwean Cricket team under crucial circumstances.
But international cricket is back in Zimbabwe. The tri-angular series involving India and SriLanka by no means is high flight international cricket. The two other teams that are playing in this series must be frustrated off playing against each other by now. However, that is an important part of international cricket. At least for Zimbabwe, there is something to cheer about and celebrate, quite literally.
Historically, the story of the Indian cricket team explains that Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell hold a record of harmonious captain-coach journey’s to Zimbabwe. However, the old story occurred some five years ago and there are no such chances or expectations over the repetition of any such drama. None of the players have made the trip this time from that tour. Some of the Indian players including Irfan Pathan, who are out of the Indian side, have taken keen interest in the current trip to the African nation. A majority of the players have been rested, including Harbhajan Singh, who has recently guided Zimbabwe in various measures of wearing the proper kits. In the light of present scenario, a closer contest is likely to be expected. The Indian side is charged by a battery of strangulating spinners who have nothing to lose at all under the captaincy of young Suresh Raina who has yet to play a test match against Zimbabwe.
With Utseya's resignation, Elton Chigumbura finds himself heading the side; just weeks after the coach highlighted a mild disciplinary question about him. Holding a very significant position in the team with the overall responsibility that goes with it, the captain himself is one of the cleanest hitters for Zimbabwe. Utseya, while giving his resignation expressed his views on the honor that was given to him for the last four years. He added that it was a wonderful experience and he enjoyed it thoroughly. Like a true international sportsman, he remained committed to the cause of cricket in his country. Under his captaincy, the Zimbabwean team won 20 ODI matches out of 67. Chigumbura, who is already the captain of Mashonaland Eagles, has emerged as one of the most promising players for the Zimbabwe side. It was a unanimous decision by the ZC Board to appoint the all-rounder as the captain.
Raina, on the other hand has also shown glimpses of a sharp cricketing mind. His captaincy came as a reward for having done well in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. He is leading a young Indian side who has promised to give some enthusiastic performances in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is expected to play a line-up full of spinners on the slower pitches in the West Indies. For this purpose, Elton Chigumbura has been used to full affect who sometimes bowls some seam ups as well. However, considering the conditions in the country, Chris Mpofu can be the right option for Zimbabwe.
The probables for the Zimbabwe team include: Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Charles Coventry, Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Elton Chigumbura (captain), Andy Blignaut, Greg Lamb, Graeme Cremer/Prosper Utseya, Chris Mpofu and Ray Price.
India on the other hand is also expected to rely heavily on its spin bowling. The probables for the Indian side are: M Vijay, Dinesh Karthik/Naman Ojha (wk),Suresh Raina (captain), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, R Ashwin/Ravindra Jadeja, R Vinay Kumar, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Umesh Yadav.
According to the stats, out of the Zimbabwe’s last 11 ODI matches, they have won only one with four defeats against Bangladesh. On the other hand, Raina will become the ninth-youngest man to lead an ODI side with an age of 23 years and 182 days. Overall, the tournament will provide a good learning opportunity to both sides.
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