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Zim brace for spin in Test opener

Sport
THE Zimbabwe cricket team faces a stiff spin Test when they take on a confident Bangladesh in the opening Test which starts this morning at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

THE Zimbabwe cricket team faces a stiff spin Test when they take on a confident Bangladesh in the opening Test which starts this morning at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh have made no secret of their game plan to stifle Zimbabwe’s batsmen with their battery of spin bowlers and with reports that a slow, turning wicket has been prepared in Dhaka, the tourists have a huge task at hand to put on a good show.

The hosts’ bowling department recently received a boost after the return of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to the team after being banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board in July because of indiscipline.

Al Hasan, who is also Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker, is also expected to play a dual role for the hosts, who will also want him to be the backbone of the middle order, like he had been while scoring two fifties in Bangladesh’s Test win in Harare last year.

Speaking during yesterday’s pre-match conference Zimbabwe coach Stephen Mangongo said while he agreed spin would play a major role in the first of the three Tests, he also challenged the hosts, saying they would also need their batsmen to score runs.

“I also take that, but at the same time their batsmen have to score runs and the seamers have to join the party.

“We’ve arranged a special training in preparation for that,” he said in apparent reference to their preparations before departure for Bangladesh where the squad practiced on a specially prepared spin pitch in Chiredzi, having earlier taken part in a week-long spin camp held by South African coach Justin Summons in Harare.

“It’s very important to move ahead. Playing in Bangladesh is really an exciting challenge. The Tigers are stronger more in their home conditions. We need to be more positive and play our best cricket,” Mangongo said yesterday.

He said he was satisfied with his batsmen’s response in the second innings of their practice game against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI after initially struggling in the first innings.

Zimbabwe lasted 76.2 overs before being dismissed for 241 in their first innings before a much better second innings where Craig Ervine scored an unbeaten to 85 to steer the team to 201 for five.

“The batsmen spent more time in the middle [in the practice game] and bowlers also bowled well. Batsmen had chances to do well. They didn’t play well in the first innings though they did well in second innings. We seek to do well in the main games.”

The ICC world rankings will also be major concern for the visitors ahead of the three-match Test series as they could slip below Bangladesh if they lose series.

Zimbabwe will miss the service of their experienced off-spinner Prosper Utseya who was recently suspended from international cricket for illegal bowling action.

After a promising display in his only Test cap thus far against South Africa, off-spinner John Nyumbu is expected to be Zimbabwe’s main spinner.

The leg spinning duo of Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Natsai M’shangwe are also in line for selection after an encouraging display during the warm up game with figures of three for 42 in 22.1 overs, and four for 101 respectively.

Wellington Masakadza who was the highest wicket taker for the Zimbabwe A during their tour to Bangladesh last month is also in line for selection.

Another cause of concern for Zimbabwe is their opening pair where Vusi Sibanda has been struggling for consistency in the longer version of the game.

This could see Hamilton Masakadza opening the batting alongside young Brian Chari, who looks set to make his Test debut having done well in recent matches.

Sikandar Raza buoyed by his form in the warm-up match where he scored two innings in the forties during the practice match could come in at number three with skipper and Ervine forming the backbone of the middle order.

Zimbabwe’s Probable XI: 1. Hamilton Masakadza, 2. Brian Chari, 3. Sikandar Raza, 4. Brendan Taylor, 5. Craig Ervine, 6. Elton Chigumbura, 7. Richmond Mutumbami, 8. Natsai M’shangwe, 9. John Nyumbu, 10. Tinashe Panyangara 11. Tendai Chatara