Zimbabwe’s men's cricket team has shifted into top gear with head coach Justin Sammons confirming the Chevrons are now operating at peak intensity ahead of Bangladesh’s arrival end of June.
After five to six weeks of structured training, Sammons said the team has moved past the fundamentals phase and is now stress-testing game plans in high-pressure match scenarios at Harare Sports Club.
“It’s been really good,” Sammons told NewsDay Sport.
“We’ve had five to six weeks of solid training now in terms of our preparation and the slow build-up. It started very much fundamental based with a huge emphasis on the conditioning side, and that conditioning side has obviously continued throughout.”
The conditioning base remains, but the focus has changed as the series approaches.
“Obviously we have just lifted our intensity as we get closer to the series. This week has been extremely good,” he said.
Middle sessions have been key to that ramp-up. Sammons said competitive net work is giving the Chevrons room to refine tactics before the first ball.
“We have run quite a few middle sessions where we’ve got the competitive side of things going. You know, and also the ability to be in the middle and work out certain game plans has been magic,” added Sammons.
- It’s all about hard and smart work, says in form Raza
- ZC hits out at ‘deceitful, greedy’ Taylor
- ERVINE POSITIVE DESPITE POOR END TO SRI LANKA TOUR
- It’s all about hard and smart work, says in form Raza
Keep Reading
The tour opens with a lone Test at Harare Sports Club from June 28 to July 2. The three-match ODI series follows at the same venue on July 6, 9 and 11.
The white-ball leg then shifts to Bulawayo, with Queens Sports Club hosting the three T20Is on July 15, 17 and 19.
Sammons will use the Test and ODIs in Harare as the base before taking the squad to Bulawayo for the T20 leg. India are then set to follow shortly after Bangladesh return to complete Zimbabwe’s home T20Is block.
With fitness locked in and plans being sharpened across all formats, Sammons will now want to see that “magic” in the middle translate when the Chevrons face Bangladesh.
