Sri Lanka challenge excites Chawaguta
ZIMBABWE cricket interim coach Walter Chawaguta is excited by the challenge ahead of him as he leads the Chevrons in a six-match white ball series against Sri Lanka starting tomorrow in Colombo.
The Zimbabwean side left for the Asian nation on Tuesday and have used the last two days to acclimatize.
Speaking after his team’s first training session in Colombo yesterday, Chawaguta said the Chevrons needed to turn around their fortunes after the recent home defeats to Ireland for the first time in the ODI and T20I series.
The recent slump, which also saw the team failing to qualify for the 50-over and the T20 World Cups, led to the resignation of legend Dave Houghton and Chawaguta stepped in to fill the void ahead of the white ball tour.
“It’s been pleasant to be back with the team and be involved with what’s going in what I believe is a turn around.
“It’s us taking a new leaf and with the way things are, obviously we have come from a bad space as a team and as Zimbabwe Cricket in general, with our team not playing up to expectation. So we have sat down, we have had chats and everyone is ready to turn things around.
“We had a meeting today (yesterday) with the group and we are all very expectant. First and foremost, we do admit that things haven’t been good. But generally we have got a bunch of players good enough to overturn Sri Lanka.”
Zimbabwe are set to play three ODIs beginning tomorrow and as many T20Is during the tour of Sri Lanka.
This will be Zimbabwe’s first bilateral visit to the island nation since January 2022. In their last visit to Sri Lanka, they played three ODIs and the Lions won the series 2-1.
The Chevrons have shown good form against the Lions in recent years, including a stunning 3-2 ODI series win during their tour of Sri Lanka in 2017. However, the Asians have dominated head-tohead duels.
“I can’t remember well, it’s some years ago when we were there and we won a One Day duel.
“Some of the players (from that series) are here, and even the last tour of Sri Lanka to Zimbabwe, I think there were some good performances as well.
“Some of the players are here. So the players understand well what the conditions are and what the expectation is. So we have discussed this and we are looking at the very least a win, 2-1.
“We do understand that Sri Lanka are a good side and we know that we have got to come right, everybody has to turn up and play their role well for us to come out on top. We are ready for them,” said Chawaguta.
Chawaguta is not new to his latest role, having served as Zimbabwe’s Head Coach in 2008.
He is being assisted by Stuart Matsikenyeri, who doubled as Batting Coach, Steve Kirby (Bowling Coach), Erick Chauluka (Fielding Coach), Walter Karimanzira (Fitness and Conditioning Trainer), Amato Machikicho (Physiotherapist), Alistair Chambe (Team Doctor) and Mufaro Chiturumani (Analyst).
Zimbabwe will face Sri Lanka in three ODI matches scheduled for tomorrow, Monday and next Thursday before the two sides meet in as many T20I fixtures pencilled in for January 14, 16 and 18.
All the matches will be played at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.