All systems go for Chevrons
PUMPED and ready to go!
That is the feeling in the Chevrons’ dressing room as Zimbabwe prepares to kick-start their 2022 ICC T20 World Cup campaign in Australia tomorrow with a tricky tie against Ireland, a foe they are all too familiar with.
With the duo of Blessing Muzarabani and skipper Craig Ervine fully recovered, their presence is sure to add more firepower to Zimbabwe’s bowling and batting attack.
Sikandar Raza will be hoping to continue his amazing run that saw him win the ICC Player of the Month award in August.
He became the first Zimbabwean to land the award after scoring three centuries against Bangladesh and India.
His form with the bat will be crucial at the middle of the order.
Aiding Muzarabani with the ball will be the trio of Raza, Sean Williams and Luke Jongwe, who will be expected to chock and frustrate the opposition with their accuracy in the middle overs.
However, for all the pomp and fanfare surrounding Zimbabwe’s arsenal, all eyes are expected to be firmly fixed on Ryan Burl, who returns to the country where he shone during the Chevrons’historic threewicket victory over Australia in August.
The 28-year-old produced his best figures of five for 10 runs and not only helped engineer Zimbabwe’s historic win but humbled Australia (141) to their second-lowest total against Zimbabwe in One-Day Internationals.
The 18 balls he needed to complete that haul is the second-fewest deliveries taken for a five-for in men’s ODIs since 2001.
Burl also became the first Zimbabwe player to take a five-wicket haul against Australia, eclipsing Duncan Fletcher’s four for 42 during the 1983 World Cup as the best bowling performance against the Aussies.
While the stakes and format are drastically different this time around, he hopes to use the momentum and confidence from that win to spur the Chevrons to victory.
“Yes, momentum is key, especially after winning that last ODI in Australia against
Australia.
“It is something that I would want to continue with when we take to the park (tomorrow),” said Burl.
“I believe it is the same feeling within the team …
“Being here in Australia about a month ago gives us confidence knowing that we have played in similar conditions and won against Australia, who are one of the top sides in the world.
“We are pumped up and ready to go,” he said.
Having bowed out of the tournament in the first round in the previous five editions, Chevrons head coach Dave Houghton is
targeting a place in the Super 12.
“Hundred percent, the coach was spot-on,” went on Burl.
“Our target here is to make it to the Super 12 and anything less than that is unacceptable.”
Zimbabwe will, however, first have to contend with Ireland.
While the Irish go into the tie with a superior head-to-head match-up in this format, the 28-year-old batter is confident the Chevrons will turn the tables.
“Ireland are a very good side, a welldrilled outfit, even, but we are confident that we will take the win.
“In T20 cricket, it’s all about who turns up
on the day, and so, we are going to make sure we are present and we put our best foot forward.”
Zimbabwe will likely get a boost from the return of some of the team’s senior players such as Muzarabani and skipper Ervine.
“It is very nice to have some of the senior players like the skipper, Tendai Chatara, Muzarabani, (and) Masakadza.
“Having them back in the side means we have more cool, calm and level-headed minds in the changing room.
“It gives us a nice all-round feeling that we will have all that worth of experience in the changing room and on the pitch,” added Burl.