mbulelo smpofu
Brandon Moyo, brandonmalvin9@gmail.com
ZIMBABWE national senior men’s cricket head coach Justin Sammons has indicated that key bowlers — Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava — are likely to be rested in some of the limited-overs matches against Afghanistan to ensure they are in peak condition for the Test series.
The Chevrons are gearing up for an exciting multi-format series against Afghanistan, starting with three T20Is and three one-day internationals (ODIs) at Harare Sports Club before the action moves to Bulawayo for two Test matches.
Sammons explained that the decision to rest Muzarabani and Ngarava is aimed at ensuring they are at their best for the historic Test series, emphasising the importance of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Test matches.
“The bottom line is, if we don’t rest them, they won’t be able to manage the Tests. The Tests for me, hold massive importance. Boxing Day and New Year are special occasions so they will have to be rested,” said Sammons.
He said they will go into a conditioning block to increase their workloads leading to the Tests.
“I will not use the word rested. I will say they’ll have to go into a block where they condition and get their loads up going into the Tests. Which means they will have to miss a couple of games against Afghanistan,” he said.
Zimbabwe will also be without wicket-keeper Clive Madande, who sustained a shoulder injury in the second T20I against Pakistan last week. With the team likely to see a few changes from the squad that faced Pakistan, Sammons pointed out that Zimbabwe will adapt to the conditions at Harare Sports Club, which generally suits seamers.
“There will naturally be changes, we lost Clive to injury so there’s naturally going to be a change there. We are going to different conditions; we are going to Harare where it suits the seamers. So there is going to be a change of personnel according to skill set,” he said.
He said the selection would be based on performance, with players who have impressed in domestic and regional competitions being given opportunities.
“There will be one or two changes about who put their hands up domestically and in the regional games. They might come in, but that is obviously due to performance.
“Ultimately, we still want to back our core group of players and give them a fair run,” said Sammons.
The series against Afghanistan, which begins with the first T20I on December 11, is a vital step in Zimbabwe’s preparation for the historic Boxing Day Test.
The Test series will be the country’s first home Boxing Day Test in 28 years and marks a significant milestone for local cricket fans.
Zimbabwe will also host its inaugural New Year’s Test at Queens Sports Club, heightening the excitement surrounding the Afghanistan tour.
The Afghanistan squad arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday, and both teams are expected to engage in a fiercely competitive series across all formats.
The first three T20Is are scheduled for December 11, 13, and 14 at Harare Sports Club, followed by the ODIs on December 17, 19, and 21, also at the same venue. — @brandon_malvin
