Williams boost for wounded Chevrons

Sport
Zimbabwe lost the three-match One Day International series 2-0 after the first match was washed out.

WOUNDED Chevrons received a timely boost following the arrival of all-rounder Sean Williams in Colombo ahead of the T20I series that starts today against hosts, Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe lost the three-match One Day International series 2-0 after the first match was washed out.

The second and third T20I games are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.

Williams missed the One Day International series against the Asians as he was yet to recover from injury.

However, with the house seemingly burning and Chevrons coach Walter Chawaguta in desperate need of able batsmen to counter the Sri Lankan threat poised by their bowlers, the selectors found it fit to call in the lefty for duty in Asia.

The Tuskers skipper had to abandon his team on the ropes against an Antum Naqvi-inspired Rhinos at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfied, Harare to catch the next flight to Colombo.

Zimbabwe T20I captain, Sikandar Raza expressed joy in having one of the most experienced players in the country back in the fold.

Raza, still searching for his maiden series win since taking over the reins from Craig Ervine in this shorter version of the game, wants the team to summon all its experience and take the game to the Asians without fear.

"(We want to) play a good brand of cricket in T20 that we have played more often than not and great to have Willow back in," Raza told Standard Sport yesterday.

Zimbabwe Cricket media manager, Darlington Majonga, doubling up as team manager in Sri Lanka confirmed Williams availability.

"I can confirm Sean Williams is fit again and is on his way to join the squad for the T20I series in Colombo," Majonga said.

Not so far back, Zimbabwe exited Sri Lanka a victorious lot after winning the ODI series 3-2. This was a first by any local team to beat Sri Lanka in their conditions having also won their maiden ODI in the opening fixture, another first by a Zimbabwean team on Sri Lankan soil.

Graeme Creamer was the captain of the ship, the late Heath Streak being the head coach supported by his lieutenants, Makhaya Ntini (bowling coach), Lance Klusener (batting), Chawaguta (fielding) and Sean Bell in charge of fitness.

And miracles still do happen, Zimbabwe needs to keep the faith, play their exciting brand of cricket and the results will take care of themselves.

 ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR T20I SERIES VERSUS SRI LANKA

Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.

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