daniel chigunwe
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Test captain Craig Ervine is confident that his side will be able to put in a good shift against Afghanistan when the two sides face off in the much-awaited Boxing Day Test match, which begins tomorrow at Queens Sports Club.
The match is Zimbabwe’s first Boxing Day Test match on home soil in 28 years, and the experienced Ervine said they have been fine-tuning their preparations over the past few days.
He believes that they will be able to fare well against the Afghanistan team.
Ervine, speaking during a pre-series press conference, said his charges have been hard at work and hopes that they will be able to reap the rewards.
“Conditions here (in Bulawayo) are very hot, and I am hoping we just get a good cricket wicket,” said Ervine.
“Over the past two days, the guys have worked extremely hard, and hopefully, there will be a reward for the hard work that they put in.
“These two days have been crucial for us in fine-tuning some technical issues. The guys have really put their legs down over the last two days, having that white-ball series in mind and trying to figure out solutions to the problems that they faced,” said Ervine.
The Chevrons skipper added that playing at home gives them a slight advantage over the Afghanistan side as they know the conditions.
For Ervine, the knowledge they have of Queens Sports Club will come in handy and likely be the difference maker.
He added that they are looking forward to playing Test cricket again after having last played red-ball cricket against Ireland in a one-off match in July.
“Being here at home, in our home conditions, is something that we are used to and that holds us in good state as well.
“We understand the ground; we understand Queens; we understand how it plays, and I think strategically, we will be using that to our advantage, knowing how to bat on it, how to bowl on it, and how to set a field on it. It will be crucial for us.
“The conditions will be a little bit tricky; there might be a little bit of rain around, and that might affect the way the wicket plays.
“But the guys are excited to play Test cricket again; it’s been a long gap.
“We have two Tests now, then Ireland comes for a Test in early February, and next year there’s a lot of Test cricket coming up, so this is sort of looking at the start of a Test cricket year for us, which is exciting for us,” said Ervine.
He added, “Boxing Day is a special day for Zimbabwe Cricket. If anybody is around Bulawayo, please come out and support us.
“We know that things haven’t been great, but we appreciate the support.”
Afghanistan Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also shared in the excitement of playing red-ball cricket again, saying that it is the platform for his players to showcase their skill and talent in the game’s oldest format.
He acknowledged that Test is a different ball game from limited overs cricket but believes they have the skill to produce a positive result.
“We did really well in white-ball. Now it’s time for red-ball cricket; it’s a totally different format. We are here to play good cricket, and it’s a good opportunity for us to show our skills in red-ball cricket because we don’t get a lot of opportunities when it comes to the format.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to express ourselves and show our talent, that we are good enough for red ball. We are strong people, and our players who have been playing first-class cricket are good and talented, so our approach will be positive,” said Shahidi.
He added that they have their eyes set on winning the series. Afghanistan will be playing their first-ever Boxing Day Test.
“We are looking to win the series and play our own cricket, the way we play in First-Class. We will try to play our best cricket here, and as I said, it’s a good opportunity for us, especially on Boxing Day. It’s our first time playing a Boxing Day Test,” he said.
The Boxing Day Test is free of charge to all spectators.
The second match is a New Year’s Test, scheduled to start on January 2.
