After their historic win on Sunday, the Zimbabwe national cricket team is now thinking of what was probably unthinkable prior to the weekend: a series win against the mighty of New Zealand.
BY KEVIN MAPASURE
The two teams square off this morning in the second of three one-day internationals (ODIs) at Harare Sports Club with the hosts carrying a 1-0 lead.
A victory today for the Dav Whatmore-coached side would seal a series win, something that they have not achieved against a Test-playing side since 2011 when they beat Bangladesh 3-2 in this format.
Even though he is expecting a backlash from the Kiwis, ranked third in the ODIs, Whatmore is targeting what would be a famous victory.
“We have a good chance to win the series against a top side and it’s something that we will be targeting,” Whatmore said.
“But we know we are still playing a very good side, ranked number three in the world, so we expect them to come back hard at us. We are geared to fight for it as we always try to do.”
Zimbabwe shook the cricket world when they stunned New Zealand by running down a target of 304, something that they have not been associated with for many years, to record the seven-wicket victory.
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Craig Ervine was the main actor, having been promoted to number three, he batted Zimbabwe to the famous win.
Having faced 108 balls, he milked 130 runs, a total decorated with 11 fours and five sixes, to ensure success against a top side.
Zimbabwe had also won their final T20 match against India, before the latest success.
This has made the clash today the more mouthwatering and New Zealand will seek to restore parity ahead of the final match on Friday. Skipper Kane Williamson described the loss as a shame and admitted that they had been outplayed by the hosts.
They will come out to try and add penetration to their bowling, something that Whatmore is also demanding of his charges.
“I think we bowled well in the first 10 overs in the last match, but we did not bowl well in the final team overs. It’s something that we need to fix in the next match. But I think if we get more wickets in the first 40 overs, the last 10 would be easy. The focus will be to try and take as many wickets in the first 40.”
Zimbabwe managed two wickets in the first 10 overs, but in the last 10, they shipped 115 runs as the tourists posted a formidable total.
The Australian coach is hoping that his players can stick to the game plan like what they did with the bat on Sunday.
“On Sunday, we stuck to our game plan. The players batted positively and the shot selection was good. It was good to see Hamilton (Masakadza) and Chamu (Chibhabha) giving us a good start.”
If there is to be any change for today’s game, it will probably be in the bowling department where most of the seven used on Sunday struggled.
Seamer Chris Mpofu could be dropped, probably in favour of Neville Madziva, having struggled on Sunday after his 10 overs conceded 84 runs.
The hosts need someone who can apply as much pressure as Tinashe Panyangara did on Sunday, where he was hitting perfect lines.
He took two wickets in the match and retained an economy of five.
