SIMBA RUSHWAYA
The Zimbabwe cricket team’s 3-0 whitewash defeat to South Africa in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) was largely expected given the uninspiring build-up to the matches after a protracted labour dispute that had crippled the operations of the local cricket governing body.
The Chevrons suffered a five-wicket setback in Kimberly followed by a 120-run defeat in Bloemfontein before the hosts signed off the ODI triumph by a four wicket win in Paarl. It was a result that was not surprising with the tourists’ batsmen failing to come to the party, while bowlers had glimpses of terrific display that could not be complemented by their counterparts with the bat.
Zimbabwe have so far lost eight ODIs and four T20s on the trot since the World Cup fiasco which saw the hosts losing with a three-run to minnows United Arab Emirates in March.
In the series against South Africa, the hosts paraded a largely inexperienced side, but still managed to weave their way past Zimbabwe who were featuring veterans such as Sean Williams, former skipper Brendan Taylor and captain Hamilton Masakadza. One would have thought the tourists would match their opponents pound for pound or at least win one match.
But that was not to be as the hosts took the opportunity to make records with Reeza Hendricks producing his debut hundred while Heinrich Klaasen registered his maiden ODI half century.
Speaking to the media after the horror display, Williams, one the most experienced players in the team, blamed the loss to United Emirates in March as energy sapping.
“It is very difficult. That game against UAE still haunts us, the guys who played that game. It doesn’t feel good to lose a match, or lose a series. Losing the series hurts more than losing a match, but losing takes a lot of pride from us and I feel there was a lot of pride to play for.
“We have a lot to learn. This was a tough series for us, and a hurtful one,” said Williams.
After scores of four and nine in the first tow ODIs against South Africa, Williams was finally off the block as he struck 10 fours to top the scores with 69 in the third match in Paarl.
Williams added 73 for the fourth wicket with Taylor, who also showed glimpses of his best before he was dismissed. With the series now switched to the T20 format, Williams and Taylor will continue to play a vital role, but the player who is missing in this jigsaw puzzle is Skandar Raza who was entangled in a contractual dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket.
Raza, Williams, Graeme Cremer and Craig Ervine fell out of favour with ZC after the triangular series involving Pakistan and Australia over unpaid salaries and allowances.
The dispute has since been ironed out after the intervention of the International Cricket Council which gave money ZC used to clear outstanding arrears to players and staff.
