THE ZIMBABWE national cricket team will have a chance to test their preparedness ahead of the five-match one day international (ODI) series against India by playing a strong Australia A in a one-off three-day match in the capital from July 18-20.
DANIEL NHAKANISO
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that their A side will play a Zimbabwe XI side before they head to South Africa for a two match unofficial Test Series against South Africa A which will be followed by A Team Triangular Series also involving the India A side.
According to Cricket Australia, one aim of having the “A” team in Africa during this period is to have ready-made Ashes Tour replacements available, should the need arise.
However, for Zimbabwe, it will be a chance for the team to get some valuable game time against quality opposition ahead of the five-match bilateral ODI series against India from July 24 to August 3.
National team assistant coach Steven Mangongo told NewsDay Sport yesterday that the match against Australia A would give the team a chance to finalise their preparations.
“We will definitely look to give some of our key players some valuable game time against Australia A. It only makes sense that we do so considering that the guys have not played competitive cricket since the Bangladesh tour in May.
“The Australians are coming with a very strong quality side and it will be good for the boys to get a chance to play them before playing India,” Mangongo said.
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The Australian A side will be captained by all-rounder Steven Smith with right-handed batsman Aaron Finch being his deputy. Other top names in the squad include Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, all-rounder Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, the Marsh brothers Mitch and Shaun, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, and paceman Pat Cummins.
Of the squad CA’s chief selector John Inverarity said: “This is a young squad with abundance of talent and all players will be pressing for higher honours. Steve Smith has been appointed captain and should gain a great deal of leadership experience from the tour.
“Should replacements be required for the Ashes tour, these players will be playing in a similar time zone from during this time,” Inverarity said.
