By Kevin Mapasure
ZIMBABWE national cricket team opening batsman Prince Masvaure has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan which commences at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Masvaure took a blow on his thumb while fielding and might have suffered a fracture.
He has joined a long injury list that includes captain Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza as well as long-term absentees Tendai Chatara and Kyle Jarvis.
Williams and Ervine will be assessed to see if they can come back for the second Test after they both missed the first which Zimbabwe lost by an innings and 116 runs.
Madhevere looks set to return after he also missed the first match due to a hamstring strain.
Due to his injury Masvaure did not bat in the second innings where Zimbabwe where bundled out for a 134 runs to suffer defeat inside three days.
In his absence, Tarisai Musakanda combined with Kevin Kasuza for the opening role.
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Musakanda had a descent outing in the opening role where he scored 43 runs in the second innings before he threw away his wicket after he was run out.
His partner, Kasuza scored 28 runs in the two innings, while Masvaure made 11 in the first innings.
Zimbabwe will be hoping for that Williams and Ervine can return to fortify the batting line-up which was brittle in the first match.
Stand-in captain Brendan Taylor, who scored five and 29 runs, is looking forward to a better batting display in the second innings after their poor display in the first match.
“It is tough pill to swallow, but we have days to regroup and hopefully we can come back stronger,” he said after their defeat on Saturday.
“You have got to apply yourselves in any Test match. If you are going to look at their batters, the way they applied themselves. They batter long periods of time, grinded our bowlers down and that’s why they got 400 plus runs. We can learn from that. So it’s back to the drawing board now. The batters have the technique, they have the ability but mentally I think we are just a little bit soft at the moment and need to find a way to grind through a long period of time. Very frustrating. Stuey (Stuart Matsikenyeri), the batting coach has put in a huge amount of work with the batters and its time we repay the faith. The mindset need to be prepared to bat long periods of time.”
Zimbabwe will need all the experience they can summon to make an impact in the second match. Williams and Ervine make a huge difference while Madhevere can also strengthen the batting line up.
- Follow Kevin on Twitter @kmapasure
