Zimbabwe A remain focused on the cricket

With the current political turmoil in Zimbabwe one could forgive the Zimbabwean players for a lack of focus as they begin their tour of Sri Lanka. Cricket pales into insignificance when compared to the violence and intimidation that has erupted in the farmlands of Zimbabwe during the last few weeks. Nevertheless the Zimbabwean manager, Kishore Gokal, in an upbeat mood today, believed that the minds of the players would not be distracted from the task ahead.

"I don't think that the players are going to be disturbed by the events as nobody is directly involved".

For Zimbabwe's sake lets hope this is true because the players face a tough series in Sri Lanka. Not many teams win in Sri Lanka these days and such is the national confidence here, few believe that their national side can lose. Since their remarkable defeat of the mighty Australians last September, the national side has recorded series victories against both Zimbabwe and Pakistan, away from home.

The Zimbawean's first problem is going to be the heat. Kishore Gokal, setting a fine example to his players by consuming vast quantities of mineral water at the training ground today, was under no illusions as to how difficult it will be for the team to perform in such hot and humid conditions.

"The heat is already telling. Getting adjusted to the hot and humid conditions here will be the key factor in our performances. It will be a tough tour, especially with 22 days of cricket crammed into the itinerary".

Few of the players have experienced sub-continental conditions. The middle order batsmen, Greg Lamb, and opening batsmen/wicket keeper, Alester Maragwede, both came to Sri Lanka for the U19 World Cup. Only two others, Gavin Rennie and Everton Matambanadzo, have played here.

This being the case, the tour is being looked upon as a learning experience.

Kishore Gokal pointed out that, "Of course we have got play to the best of our ability and everyone must do their respective jobs. However the main goal of the tour is experience and exposure for the younger players. We hope that the tour will make them become better cricketers, winning is not an end beyond all others".

If learning is the goal then have certainly come to the right place. Tim Boon, coach of England U19, who played cricket here for CCC in the 1990's, was adamant that, "young players will learn more in three months in Sri Lanka than they will in three years in England".

The learning will start tomorrow when the team takes on a powerful BCCSL XI at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo. The home ground of Mutiah Muralitharan, the pitch usually favours the spinners. However after a long season in which the poor groundsman has had to work overtime due to the unusually large number of games this year, the pitch looks as if it will suit all the bowlers. Unevenly grassed and very wet the pitch is sure to give assistance to the seamers in the morning session and afterwards to the spinners. The toss will be crucial.

Zimbabwe will be picking from a squad of 13, as Andy Blignaut and Craig Wishart have yet to arrive from the West Indies. With the original tour captain, Andy Whittall, having to pull out of the tour after a finger injury, the former England Amateurs captain, Gus Mackay, has taken over the captaincy. With Everton Matambanadzo taking over the vice captaincy we face the unusual prospect of both the captain and vice being the two opening bowlers.

For bowlers all-round the globe, this will be welcome news in a world so dominated by batting captains.