Published by the government of Zimbabwe
22 August 2007
Harare — The president of the International Cricket Council, Ray Mali, arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday on a working visit.
Mali, who is accompanied by his wife Peggy, jetted into Bulawayo yesterday and was met at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport by the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, Peter Chingoka.
Mali is on a familiarisation tour to assess how the world cricket governing body can continue to help ZC on its roadmap for the resumption of Test participation.
"I am here to get first-hand information so that I can be well-informed whenever I talk to my board about Zimbabwe," said Mali on his arrival. Welcoming him, Chingoka said ZC was confident that his visit would be fruitful and beneficial for cricket in the country because Mali understands the need and challenges of transforming the sport from elitism to one accessible to the majority.
"Before he took over at the ICC, Ray was president of Cricket South Africa and we worked very well with him then. "What is happening now is a continuation of that relationship because, as ICC president, he has said he wants to see the game taken to new heights in all the 10 full member countries," explained Chingoka.
During his six-day stay, the ICC president will tour cricket facilities in Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan provinces. Yesterday afternoon, Chingoka took him on a sight-seeing tour of the Matobo National Park.
Meanwhile, our Bulawayo Bureau reports that Zimbabwe hope to cause an unlikely upset against South Africa when the two teams meet in the first Ten Sports One-Day International cricket match at Queens Sports Club this morning.
In 24 meetings between the Southern African neighbours, Zimbabwe have only tasted victory twice with a success rate of 8,69 percent while South Africa have triumphed an overwhelmingly 21 times. South Africa are ranked second in the world while Zimbabwe are way behind at number 11. It is against this background that Zimbabwe seem to have no chance of winning today's match. Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya believes his team has a good chance as long as they play well.
"The guys have worked hard for the past two months preparing for these games. We were lucky to have played against India A and South Africa A. I think our chances are as good as we play," said Utseya during a pre-match Press conference held at the match venue yesterday. Coach Kevin Curran is of the view that if his boys play well today they have a good chance of causing an upset.
"We respect that South Africa are a quality side but in one-day cricket it depends on what happens on the day. There is no reason why we cannot pull off an upset," said Curran. The Zimbabwe mentor added that they would be fielding the strongest possible side today.
South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said the tour gives the youngsters in the team a chance to stake their claim in the team and that they are not taking Zimbabwe lightly.
"This is a chance for a couple of youngsters in the side to stake their claim in the one-day side. We are not taking Zimbabwe lightly and we would be putting our best performance," Arthur said.
Graeme Smith, the South African captain who makes his international return after missing out on the Afro-Asia Cup in India in June because of a knee problem, said the matches against Zimbabwe were good for their start to the season.
Zimbabwe's squad for today's match was still not yet clear last night as some members of the Zimbabwe A side that played a first-class match in Harare have also joined the senior team in camp.
Opening batsman Terrence Duffin, who was left out of Zimbabwe's squad for the Twenty20 World Championship, is out of action because of a hand injury. Left-handed batsman Sean Williams, who has recovered from a career threatening back injury, could be named in the starting line-up.
Vusumuzi Sibanda should open the batting with Hamilton Masakadza. Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyeri are most likely to make up the batting order. Hard-hitting Elton Chigumbura should play his all-round role of providing some crucial runs in the middle order backing up the bowling attack with his medium pace.
Christopher Mpofu leads the bowling attack with Gary Brent while Tawanda Mupariwa and Edward Rainsford would be left to fight it out for the last seamer slot. Utseya is expected to lead the spin attack together with left-arm spinner Keith Dabengwa.
For the "Proteas" Arthur gave a hint that Gulam Bodi, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are the ones to miss out on starting places.
Smith and Loots Bosman are expected to open the batting with Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs and wicketkeeper Abraham de Villiers to complete the top order. Vernon Philander, who impressed during a tour of Ireland in June, should play a huge role with bat and ball.
Veteran Shaun Pollock, who at 34 seems to be getting better with age, forms a deadly new ball attacking combination with Makhaya Ntini.
To offer back-up are pace bowlers Johan van der Wath, Albie Morkel and off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala.
TEAMS
Zimbabwe (likely): Prosper Utseya (captain), Tatenda Taibu (wicketkeeper), Brendan Taylor, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Gary Brent, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa.
South Africa (most likely): Graeme Smith (captain), Loots Bosman, Abraham de Villiers (wicketkeeper) Jean-Paul Duminy, Albie Morkel, Herschelle Gibbs, Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Johan van der Wath, Makhaya Ntini, Thandi Tshabalala.
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