Monday, 28 February 2011
Zimbabwe Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, the honourable Senator David Coltart, joined the national cricket team on Sunday where the team is preparing for its second group A match against Canada in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Zimbabwe lost to defending champions Australia by 91 runs in Ahmadabad.
The last time Zimbabwe played Australia in an ODI was in 2004 and on Monday last week Zimbabwe suffered at the brutal hands of Australia’s fast bowlers who bowled above 140km/h with ease. Players like Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura and Tatenda Taibu have more than 100 ODI caps and nominally appear to be experienced but unfortunately are not fully accustomed to high quality opposition like the Australians.
“I think we were undone by our lack of experience against that type of bowling and that quality of opposition,†said Coltart soon after arrival in the city.
“But we must not underestimate Canada, we cannot take the foot off the pedal in any way; we’ve got to play just as we did against Australia and be just as tight. Although they [Canada] are lowly rated, they have some good players and this is another game where you have to give it your all,†Coltart told the players after practise on Sunday.
Zimbabwe will play to its strengths, fielding and spin bowling, but this may not be enough, as in the match against Australia, to guarantee a victory at the end of the day if the batsmen do not post a commanding total to bowl at or defend. Coltart reiterated the importance of experience which should also be backed up with a strong sense of self confidence.
“The batting will come with experience. You can bowl spin in the nets and perfect your bowling but it is experience that is critical in the batting. We have definitely got supremely talented people but they have to believe in themselves more and get more experience against intimidating pace. They can only do that by playing more matches.