Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Lawrence Moyo
20 November 2008
Harare — INTERNATIONAL cricket action returns to Harare Sports Club this morning as Zimbabwe engage Sri Lanka in the opening game of a five-match ODI series, which, however, looks set to be hampered by bad weather.
There were heavy rains in the capital between Tuesday and last night while there are likely to be disruptions today, at least according to the weather forecasts.
Bad weather aside, Zimbabwean cricket lovers have an opportunity to watch some of the world's leading cricketers in Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayewardene, Kumar Sangakkara, veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and new spin sensation Ajantha Mendes.
These are quality players who can walk into any cricket squad in the world and this makes the Sri Lankans overwhelming favourites going into the series.
Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya is fully aware that Sri Lanka have a more experienced squad and the tourists will be favoured to clinch the series on a whitewash margin.
The hosts have been boosted by the availability of top-order batsman Vusi Sibanda, who missed last month's trips to Canada and Kenya because of injury.
"Obviously on paper they are better than us, but in terms of what we can do I think we have done well in our preparations and we can only expect positive results to come out of those preparations," said Utseya.
He conceded that lack of competitive action this year might see Zimbabwe struggle with their game during the series but promised not to use inactivity as an excuse for any bad results.
Zimbabwe's last meaningful one-day international action -- against Test-playing opposition -- was against the West Indies towards the end of last year.
"We haven't played much cricket this year, but from the little action we've had and the preparations I think we are prepared for the challenge. We can't be using lack of international matches as an excuse," said Utseya.
He added that they would not be reading much into the exploits of veteran spin demon, 36-year-old Muralitharan, and 23-year-old new spin nsensation Mendes.
Muralitharan has taken 43 wickets in 25 ODIs against Zimbabwe while Mendes will be facing Zimbabwe for the first time if selected.
"We were lucky to play Mendes in the four-day game and we have an idea of what to expect from him. In that four-day game I think the (Zimbabwe) guys managed to deal with him better in the second innings.
"Murali didn't play in that warm-up game but I don't think he's as effective as Mendes, but basically it's all about us reacting to whatever they dish out.
"We just need to stick to the basics because whenever you play against top bowlers you have to go back to the basics."
Utseya reckons that the Sri Lankan batsmen might put themselves under pressure to perform given that they are expected to plunder runs against a less experienced bowling attack.
That kind of pressure might just work in Zimbabwe's favour.
"Judging from the Twenty20 game we played against them in Canada last month, I thought we managed to put their batsmen under pressure and they won the game in the last over.
"They know that on paper they are a better team than us and they will try too hard and they might play too many shots and they are bound to make mistakes.
"So at the end of the day, we just need to believe in ourselves and do the right things because a good ball will trouble any batsmen, including the best in the world and that's all we need to work on."
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket will today join the international cricket community to commemorate the International Cricket Council Diversity Day.
Messages will be read out over the PA system to celebrate cricket as a diverse and global sport that brings together people from various backgrounds and builds bridges between communities, countries and continents.
Zimbabwe squad
Prosper Utseya (captain), Tatenda Taibu, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Keith Dabengwa, Tawanda Mupariwa, Raymond Price, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Elton Chigumbura, Christopher Mpofu, Edward Rainsford, and Foster Mutizwa.
Sri Lanka squad
Mahela Jayewardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedera, Jehan Mubarak, Thilina Kandamby, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Mirando, Nuwan Kalusekera, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Angelo Mathews, Dhammika Prasad.
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