Zimbabwe have won a dramatic final-over, one-wicket win in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe’s two big-hitting all-rounders, Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller, finally came good, with a 112-run sixth-wicket partnership to end a 12-match losing streak across formats. Malcolm Waller, who finished on 99 not out, hit a single off the penultimate ball as Zimbabwe chased down a New Zealand’s 5 for 328 which included centuries by Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.

Record Win:
Not only was it thrilling, but this is now Zimbabwe’s highest successful run chase and ended a sequence of seven successive defeats for the home side.

New Zealand Innings
Earlier on in the day the Black Caps won the toss and decided to bat. They initially got off to a poor start and loosing a few early wickets, but New Zealand captain Taylor (119) and Williamson (100 not out) shared a fifth wicket stand of 195 off only 133 balls.

It turned what seemed likely to be a respectable total into an imposing one, doubling the total by adding 164 runs in the final 15 overs, with the rampage starting in the batting powerplay taken after 35 overs.

Zimbabwe’s Innings
Zimbabwe fought back with captain Brendan Taylor, who had already scored centuries in the first two matches, cracking 75 off 65 balls as he and Hamilton Masakadza (36) put on 100 for the second wicket.

Tatenda Taibu also batted well, scoring an aggressive 53 but it was the swashbuckling sixth wicket stand of 112 off 85 balls between Waller and Elton Chigumbura that really put victory within reach for Zimbabwe.

Waller and Chigumbura got the target down to 34 off 36 balls when Chigumbura was bowled by Jacob Oram.

In a nervy finish, three more wickets fell and with four needed off the last over, Waller was dropped twice by Ross Taylor at midwicket.

Two runs were scored off the first miss and one off the second.

Then Ray Price skied a catch and was caught with the scores tied but the batsmen crossed and Waller had the strike and clinched the match.

The New Zealand captain took the blame for dropping Waller by saying “When you drop catches you lose matches,” and he went on to say that “Brendan Taylor and Waller batted very well”.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including "Blood, Sweat And Treason" by Henry Olonga, “A History of the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe National Sides” by Jonty Winch who traces the history of cricket in this country (Zimbabwe) from the first recorded game played in 1890, through two World Wars and a guerilla war, to the comparative peace of post-independence and eventual world recognition in the 1980s when Zimbabwe was able to send a side to England to take part in the I.C.C. Trophy competition which it won.

There is also the Autobiography of another great Zimbabwean cricket coach Duncan Fletcher “Behind the Shades”

USA: Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.com

At the moment Amazon UK don’t have as wide selection as the US site, but I have ordered books from the US and had them delivered to the UK with no problems.

UK: Amazon.co.uk
Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.co.uk

Match finished: Zimbabwe won by 130 runs

Zimbabwe: 370 & 291/5d
Bangladesh: 287 & 244 (57.3 ov)

Zimbabwe have won the one-off Test against Bangladesh by 130 runs in Harare, concluding a successful return to the longer form of the international game.

Bangladesh lost their remaining two wickets for the addition of 16 runs after lunch to close their second innings on 244 chasing an improbable victory target of 375.

Opening the day on 112 for three, the tourists lost wickets steadily in the morning session and when three fell in successive overs the end was near.

Some defiant late hitting by Abdur Razzak only delayed the inevitable as Zimbabwe recorded a comfortable win on their return to Test cricket after their self-imposed exile.

Bangladesh lost Mohammad Ashraful, who had put together a partnership of 38 with Mushfiqur Rahim before he was bowled by Brian Vitori for 39 off an inside edge. When Bangladesh then lost Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in successive overs the home side closed quickly on victory.

Mahmudullah was caught by Tatenda Taibu off the bowling of Chris Mpofu for 11 and when Shakib was caught by Brendan Taylor off Elton Chigumbura for six the visitors were reeling on 174 for six.

Mushfiqur also fell to Mpofu, this time caught by Craig Ervine, for 28 without further addition to the total. Razak and Shafiul Islam put on a defiant half-century for the eighth wicket before the former was bowled by Chigumbura to leave the total on 224 for eight and Zimbabwe on the verge of victory.

Razzak had smashed 43 of those runs off just 17 balls, including five fours and three sixes, before his dismissal meant Bangladesh’s last hope disappeared in the final over before lunch.

Kyle Jarvis returned after lunch to claim the wickets of Shafiul and Robiul Islam to leave Rubel Hossain unbeaten on eight from a total of 244. Jarvis returned figures of four for 61.

Previously
Day 4
End Of Day: Bangladesh – 112/3 in 30.0 overs (M Ashraful 19, M Rahim 4)
Tea: Zimbabwe – 291/5 in 92.0 overs (BRM Taylor 105, CR Ervine 35
BRM Taylor: 100 off 170 balls (9 x 4
Drinks: Zim – 233/5 in 81.0 overs (BRM Taylor 71, CR Ervine 14)

Day 4 News
Zimbabwe go into the final day of their Test against Bangladesh needing seven wickets for victory after the bowlers responded to Brendan Taylor’s bold declaration by reducing the tourists to 112 for three.

Taylor became the second Zimbabwean in history – and the seventh overall – to hit a maiden Test century in his first match as captain, as Zimbabwe declared their second innings on 291 for five at tea on day four.

That left Bangladesh needing 375 to win from 123 overs, a feat which looked quite possible when their openers put on a brisk 65-run stand at the top of the order.

But Chris Mpofu bowled the dangerous Tamim Iqbal (43) and Kyle Jarvis took two wickets to give Zimbabwe every chance of winning their first match back in Test cricket after a six-year absence, with Bangladesh requiring a further 263 runs on day five.

19 years after Zimbabwe’s first Test captain Dave Houghton hit a century on his country’s debut, Taylor added his name to a niche list by going to three figures shortly before tea, before setting a target which was likely to induce some attacking shots from the Bangladeshi batsmen.

Taylor was unbeaten on 105 and Craig Ervine 35 not out from 55 deliveries, with both batsmen cranking through the gears in the second session after Tatenda Taibu had fallen shortly after lunch, and Taylor taking just 53 balls to score his second fifty after needing 117 for his first.

Taibu went to lunch on 53 not out, but added just six to his total before chipping Shafiul Islam to extra cover as he looked to clear the infield.

Although Ervine took a few overs to get his eye in having endured a wretched run of form since the World Cup, he then started finding the middle of the bat and went on to add 86 with Taylor in less than 18 overs to set up the declaration.

A wicketless opening session had put Zimbabwe back in firm control, with Taibu making most of the running as he breezed to an unbeaten half-century, while Taylor made slower progress to reach lunch on 46 not out from 112 deliveries.

After Zimbabwe’s collapse late on day three had put the match back in the balance, the two batsmen came out with a far more positive mindset to re-establish control.

46 runs were taken in the opening 45 minutes as Taibu and Taylor worked the ball into the gaps and ran an unusually high number of threes.

Taibu was also quick on his feet to the spinners, taking a particular liking to Shakib Al Hasan as he hit the Bangladesh skipper out of the attack by regularly finding the boundary.

However Shakib was replaced by off-spinner Mahmudullah who bowled a more negative line from around the wicket to force Zimbabwe to be more patient, and the scoring slowed down dramatically over the last 45 minutes of the session with just nine runs coming from the last 10 overs.

A more productive second session led Taylor to stick the Bangladeshis back in, and his confidence in his bowlers was rewarded after a nervy, run-filled period when Mpofu came around the wicket to hit the top of Tamim’s off stump as the left-hander shouldered arms.

Jarvis then gained his reward for another sharp spell of bowling when, having beaten the bat on numerous occasions, he finally found the edge of Imrul Kayes’ bat to have the opener caught behind for 31.

The 22-year-old fast bowler wasn’t finished yet, and also used the round-the-wicket approach to full effect as he sent Shariar Nafees’ leg stump cartwheeling to set up an exciting final day at Harare Sports Club.

Day 3
End Of Day: Zimbabwe – 92/4 in 34.3 overs (BRM Taylor 5, T Taibu 0)
Lunch: Bangladesh – 200/5 in 73.0 overs (S Al Hasan 40, M Rahim 3)
Drinks: Bangladesh – 163/4 in 59.0 overs (M Ashraful 62, S Al Hasan 17)

Day 2
End Of Day 2 Bangladesh – 107/3 in 46.0 overs (M Ashraful 34, Mahmudullah 4)
Tea: Bangladesh – 38/2 in 12.0 overs (Shahriar Nafees 17, M Ashraful 2)
Innings Break: Zimbabwe – 370/10 in 131.0 overs (KM Jarvis 4)
Lunch: Zimbabwe – 326/6 in 115.3 overs (T Taibu 3)
Drinks: Zimbabwe – 304/3 in 104.0 overs (BRM Taylor 64)
H Masakadza: 100 off 235 balls (8 x 4, 1 x 6)

Day 1
End Day 1: Zim – 264/2 in 90.0 overs (H Masakadza 88, BRM Taylor 40)
At Tea Zimbabwe 191/2 in 60.0 overs (H Masakadza 56, BRM Taylor 4)
At Drinks: Zim – 144/1 in 44.0 overs (V Sibanda 69, H Masakadza 23)
At Lunch Zim were 102/1 in 30.0 overs (V Sibanda 50, H Masakadza 0)

Zim were put into bat first on a typically sunny, clear but cool day at the Harare Sports Club and went about it very well on the first Test and only test against Bangladesh.

Considering that this is Zimbabwe’s first test in almost six years, their opening stand on the first day was pretty impressive, especially when you take into account that the pitch is expected to offer the seamers some early assistance. It is likely to flatten as the match goes on, Shakib Al Hasan made the expected decision to bowl after winning the toss, something Brendan Taylor admitted he would also have done.

Zimbabwe have 4 newcomers to test cricket in their team, opening batsman Tinotenda Mawoyo, middle-order batsman Craig Ervine, and bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori, who received their caps shortly after the toss. Tatenda Taibu, who created shockwaves through Zimbabwe cricket with his revelations of administrative problems, was in the starting line-up and will bat at No. 6. Zimbabwe played one spinner in Ray Price, who is likely to play a containing role.

Zimbabwe have not played a Test in almost six years, when they lost to India by ten wickets at this ground. Bangladesh also had a mini-hiatus from the longest version of the game. They last played a Test 14 months ago, against England. Bangladesh have never won a Test in Zimbabwe and only one member of the current team, Mohammad Ashraful, has played in a Test against them.

Zimbabwe Team: 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Tinotenda Mawoyo, 3 Brendan Taylor (capt & wk), 4 Hamilton Masakadza, 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Tatenda Taibu, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Ray Price, 9 Kyle Jarvis, 10 Brian Vitori, 11 Christopher Mpofu

Bangladesh Team: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes , 3 Shahriar Nafees, 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Abdur Razzak, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Robiul Islam

ODI Series Fixtures

Zim also take on Bangladesh in a series of one day internationals:

• First ODI: 12 August, Harare
• Second ODI: 14 August, Harare
• Third ODI: 16 August, Harare
• Fourth ODI: 19 August, Bulawayo
• Fifth ODI: 21 August, Bulawayo

Zimbabwe Cricket welcomes Bangladesh to restart their test career again this month.

The first and only Test match against Bangladesh will be played from 4th to the 8th of August 2011 at Harare Sports Club with Brendan Taylor leading the Zimbabwean side.

Cricket Zimbabwe withdrew from Test Cricket almost 6 years ago in September 2005 and the hope is that now with some major rebuilding they should be good enough to be competitive.

Test Cricket provides great opportunity for Cricket in Zimbabwe, and now its up to Cricket Zimbabwe, their coach and players on how they grab it and bring back good years of Zimbabwean Cricket.

Zimbabwe Squad News
Brendan Taylor (capt), Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori

Test cricket presented the Zimbabwean selectors with an issue of getting the right balance to the side, this was probably not felt quite as acutely as in the limited-overs sides that have recently been selected.

The dependable Tatenda Taibu looks most likely to keep wicket, but Zimbabwe will probably have to break up one of their most dependable bowling partnerships, as only one of either Utseya and Ray Price are expected to be included in the team. While both men are automatic selections in limited-overs cricket, Zimbabwe are attempting to move away from their reliance on spin as they re-enter the Test arena.

It is also probably safe to assume that Chris Mpofu will take the new ball, it’s not entirely clear whether Vitori or Keegan Meth will partner him.

Probably Zimbabwe’s biggest weakness is their opening pair of Vusi Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo. Whilst they were able to hang on for almost 55 overs in the first innings of Zimbabwe’s match against Australia in Harare two weeks ago, neither gave you the feeling that they were very comfortable.

Bangladesh tour Zimbabwe 2011 Fixture Details
Thu Aug 4 – Mon Aug 8: Only Test – Zimbabwe v Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club

Where to Buy Blood, Sweat and Treason

Currently available in Hardcover it is available online through Amazon, in the UK and US

UK
Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.co.uk

USA

Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.com

ODI Series Fixtures

Zim also take on Bangladesh in a series of one day internationals:

• First ODI: 12 August, Harare
• Second ODI: 14 August, Harare
• Third ODI: 16 August, Harare
• Fourth ODI: 19 August, Bulawayo
• Fifth ODI: 21 August, Bulawayo

Even though they were not the toughest opponents, Zimbabwe has impressed by winning their first two world cup warm up games.

Zimbabwe vs Ireland
An unbeaten half-century by Brendan Taylor helped Zimbabwe to easily chase down Ireland’s total of 204 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Taylor played the anchor role, scoring 84 off 121 balls, as Zimbabwe needed just 43.5 overs to pick up a six-wicket win. Craig Ervine also shined for Zimbabwe with the bat, scoring 47.

Earlier, we had managed to restrict Ireland to a low total thanks to our spinners. Offspinner Greg Lamb took 3 for 30 in his 10 overs, while Ray Price and Graeme Cremer took three wickets between them and were both economical. Ireland had got off to a solid start, with opener William Porterfield scoring 66 and Ed Joyce getting 45. They were 111 for 1 at one stage, but lost wickets quickly once the spinners came on and were bowled out in 48.1 overs.

Zimbabwe vs Netherlands
Zim made short work of Netherlands at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, scoring 249 and then bowling the Netherlands all out for just 134. Brendan Taylor made another half-century at the top of the order and Tatenda Taibu and Regis Chakabva alsom made useful contributions.

Zimbabwe did slip to 158 for 7 at one stage, but then in came Graeme Cremer who made a run-a-ball 42, and together with Prosper Utseya and Shingirai Masakadza took Zimbabwe to the brink of 250.

Chris Mpofu and Elton Chigumbura tore through Netherlands after Ed Rainsford had provided an early breakthrough, taking six wickets between them. Netherlands lost regular wickets and were never in the game, getting bowled out for 134 in the 34th over. Opener Alexei Kervezee’s 33 was the highest score for them. Bukhari hammered two sixes in his 28 and Bradley Kruger three fours in his 22, but there was not much else to cheer about.

The former Zimbabwe international cricketer Gus Mackay has swapped sports from cricket to become chief executive of Super League club Harlequins.

Mackay, who was born in Harare (then Salisbury) in 1967 made three limited-overs appearances for Zimbabwe, previously held a similar position with Sussex, while he has also had management roles with both Surrey and Leicestershire.

“I am looking forward to joining Harlequins,” said Mackay. “I am aware of the significant challenges which we face with this sport in London”

“However, I am confident that we can make a real impact and build on the good work and strong base which exists.”

He replaces Paul Blanchard, who has left the club to work for Surrey Sports Park.

Profile
As a teenager Gus Mackay played for Zimbabwe Colts in England in 1984 and then Zimbabwe Schools. His first-class debut, in 1998-99, did not come until he was 31, although he did play for Mashonaland in the Logan Cup before it became a first-class competition. In 1986 he spent a year at Essex and was then sidelined by a serious ankle injury, before joining English Midlands sides Barnet Green and West Bromwich.

As mentioned earlier, he played three internationals for Zimbabwe as a seam bowler and a lower-order batsman after he returned from England to Zimbabwe in an effort to gain a place in the team for the 1999 World Cup. This goal was never achieved, but he did win a call-up to the one-day side which toured Australia and New Zealand in 2000-01.

After his playing career ended, he began learning his trade as an administrator as general manager of Mashonaland, while working as a banker, and in 2006 he was appointed as chief executive at Sussex. At the end of the 2008 season he moved to Surrey as managing director of cricket.

Zimbabwe overcame a stubborn Shakib Al Hasan and claimed a rare victory on foreign soil beating Bangladesh by nine runs in the opening one-dayer in Mirpur.

To be honest, the margin of victory did not do justice to the Zimbabwe, especially their spinners who were in total control for most of the Bangladesh run chase.

After being put into bat, Zimbabwe were bowled out for a rather poor 209. Like Bangladesh, Zim faltered against the spinners after making a sound start through Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha, who put on 53 for the opening wicket in 10 overs.

Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets for 25 runs, with left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo and Mahmudullah finishing with two wickets apiece. Only Regis Chakabva (45) and Craig Ervine (41) managed to get Zimbabwe to a decent total.

But it was in Zimbabwe’s bowling department and Bangladesh’s poor running between the wickets where the game was won.

Christopher Mpofu finished with 3-25 and left-arm spinner Ray Price took 2-29 off 10 disciplined overs as the tourists finally bowled Bangladesh out for 200.

This result sees Zimbabwe end their seven-match losing run away from home and matched their win in the opening game of the five-match series in Bangladesh last October, which they ended up losing 4-1.

Scorecard

Scorecard from the first one-day international between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday:

Result: Zimbabwe won by nine runs.

Zimbabwe innings: B. Taylor st Rahim b Razzak 27 C. Chibhabha b Razzak 24 R. Chakabva c&b Mahmudullah 45 E. Chigumbura b Razzak 7 T. Taibu c Zunaed b Sohrawordi 14 C. Ervine c Ashraful b Shakib 41 P. Utseya c Sohrawordi b Mahmudullah 21 K. Dabengwa c Shakib b Razzak 8 K. Meth st Rahim b Sohrawordi 3 R. Price not out 1 C. Mpofu run out 2 Extras (lb-4 w-12) 16 Total (all out; 49 overs) 209

Fall of wickets: 1-53 2-58 3-71 4-94 5-159 6-184 7-201 8-204 9-207 10-209

Bowling: Mortaza 6-0-36-0 (w-1), Shafiul 4-0-21-0 (w-1), Razzak 10-1-41-4 (w-1), Sohrawordi 10-2-32-2, Shakib 10-0-37-1, Mahmudullah 9-1-38-2 (w-3)

Bangladesh innings: T. Iqbal lbw b Mpofu 23 I. Kayes c Chakabva b Price 41 Z. Siddique run out 11 M. Ashraful b Utseya 6 S. Hasan c Meth b Mpofu 63 M. Rahim b Price 1 M. Sohrawordi run out 11 Mahmudullah c Chibhabha b Mpofu 14 M. Mortaza run out 12 A. Razzak not out 5 S. Islam run out 3 Extras (lb-2 w-8) 10 Total (all out; 49 overs) 200

Fall of wickets: 1-44 2-76 3-82 4-89 5-98 6-115 7-169 8-187 9-195 10-200

Bowling: Mpofu 9-0-25-3, Meth 8-0-50-0, Utseya 10-0-35-1 (w-1), Price 10-1-29-2 (w-2), Dabengwa 5-0-32-0, Taylor 7-0-27-0 (w-1)

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including "Blood, Sweat And Treason" by Henry Olonga, “A History of the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe National Sides” by Jonty Winch who traces the history of cricket in this country (Zimbabwe) from the first recorded game played in 1890, through two World Wars and a guerilla war, to the comparative peace of post-independence and eventual world recognition in the 1980s when Zimbabwe was able to send a side to England to take part in the I.C.C. Trophy competition which it won.

There is also the Autobiography of another great Zimbabwean cricket coach Duncan Fletcher “Behind the Shades”

USA: Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.com

At the moment Amazon UK don’t have as wide selection as the US site, but I have ordered books from the US and had them delivered to the UK with no problems.

UK: Amazon.co.uk
Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.co.uk

There is a currently a rebirth taking place in Zimbabwe, especially when it comes to cricket. The recently completed Stanbic Twenty20 series was a huge success where some ageing and some top current cricketers from all around the globe combined with the locals to put on a cricket tournament of significant quality.

The explosive final between Mashonaland Eagles and MidWest Rhinos went down to the last ball and attracted a record crowd of about 10 000 fans at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

The Eagles staggered home to a one-run victory that gave them the trophy and a defining triumph in a quality field.

The Stanbic Twenty20 series staged a coup by luring West Indies legend Brian Lara to come out of retirement and play one more time and there were also a number of other quality players, coming from all around the globe. These included Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand opener; Chris Harris also from New Zealand, the ultimate dibbly-dobbly bowler and bits and pieces player; Nick Compton, grandson of the legendary Denis; Ryan ten Doeschate, the highly rated Dutch all-rounder, born in Port Elizabeth but playing for Essex; Andrew Hall, the one-time Protea; Riki Wessels, son of Kepler, playing for Northamptonshire and rated as a future England wicketkeeper; Paul Horton, an Australian-born Lancashire opening batsman, and Lance “Zulu” Klusener another South African.

All the Stanbic Twenty20 games were also shown live on SuperSport for the African audience and were also screened in Asia where cricket has its biggest market.

After the final, Zimbabwe Cricket chief executive Ozias Bvute said that “Twenty20 is a global phenomenon and we used it to attract a new cricket audience in Zimbabwe and we believe that once we have that audience, it will then be easier to transfer their allegiance to other forms of cricket in this country, including the 50-overs game.

“We will need to do a lot more work to convince people about the relevance of the longer version of cricket but that’s a challenge that we are ready for.”

Bvute said the sight of a full-house at Harare Sports Club on Sunday was a vindication of their efforts to try and take the game to the people.

He also went on to say that “It has always been our wish for cricket to grow out of being just a minority sport into a genuine national sport and I think the support that the public has shown is indicative that we are well on our way to achieve that.”

In related news, Zimbabwe have also named their squad for the tour to Bangladesh, where they will go into the series looking for their first ODI victory since they beat Ireland in September, but will face a Bangladesh side buoyant after their recent 4-0 drubbing of New Zealand.

Elton Chigumbura (capt), Tatenda Taibu (wk), Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Raymond Price, Ryan Butterworth, Craig Ervine, Prosper Utseya, Keith Dabengwa, Chris Mpofu, Keegan Meth

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Where to Buy Blood, Sweat and Treason

Currently available in Hardcover it is available online through Amazon, in the UK and US

UK
Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.co.uk

USA

Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including "Blood, Sweat And Treason" by Henry Olonga, “A History of the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe National Sides” by Jonty Winch who traces the history of cricket in this country (Zimbabwe) from the first recorded game played in 1890, through two World Wars and a guerilla war, to the comparative peace of post-independence and eventual world recognition in the 1980s when Zimbabwe was able to send a side to England to take part in the I.C.C. Trophy competition which it won.

There is also the Autobiography of another great Zimbabwean cricket coach Duncan Fletcher “Behind the Shades”

USA: Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.com

At the moment Amazon UK don’t have as wide selection as the US site, but I have ordered books from the US and had them delivered to the UK with no problems.

UK: Amazon.co.uk
Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.co.uk

Cricket in Zimbabwe is seemingly going from strength to strength with the Southern Rocks franchise just completing an incredible double swoop by signing the former England fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom as well as that of the West Indies legend, Brian Lara for the Stanbic T-20 Championships starting at the Harare Sports Club next week.

Along with India’s Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara was for many years regarded as one of the best batsmen of his era. He retired after the 2007 World Cup and has not played that much competitive cricket since, but has had a spell with the unofficial Indian Cricket League in 2007-08, where to be honest he had a forgettable tournament with the bat and as captain of Mumbai Champs.

Ryan Sidebottom played 22 Tests, 25 ODIs and 18 Twenty20s for England, including the recent World Twenty20 triumph in the Caribbean, in an international career that spanned nine years before his international retirement in September.

Of the Zimbabwean sides, the Rocks have been the most active side in transfer dealings after a disappointing last season when they finished last in the Stanbic T-20 Championships, and failing to make any impact in the Met Bank Challenge and the Castle Logan Cup.

But they have shown serious intentions this time after securing national team wicket-keeper batsman Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyere who both won the T-20 Championships with Mountaineers earlier this year.

They will however be without Sean Ervine as the former Zimbabwe national team all-rounder is switching to champions Mountaineers.

Givemore Makoni, the Rocks’ chief executive officer confirmed the Sidebottom and Lara signings, saying that his team would be mounting a serious challenge after roping in a wealth of experience in the form of the four players.

“It was a bad season the last time on but we have achieved good results in the competitions that have been played so far. In Bottom we signed a player who has proven himself on the big stage and with Lara we just have got ourselves the best batsman to grace the game of cricket.”

In this year’s tournament brochure Makoni declared: “This time Rocks come into the much awaited Stanbic T-20 ready to conquer. We have left no stone unturned in our preparations. With king Lara and speed merchant Sidebottom in your side, who can ever go wrong.”

Rocks start the campaign with a match against the Kwekwe Rhinos.

Kwekwe’s Rhinos
As well as these two great players, there have been a umber of other high profile signings in Zimbabwe, for the domestic competitions: Lou Vincent of New Zealand has also signed for Kwekwe’s Rhinos, joining Garry Balance at the Jason Gillespie-coached team.

Vincent adds to a Rhino’s squad that already has in its books national team opening batsman Brendan Taylor, seam bowler Edward Rainsford, Malcom Waller, Vusa Sibanda and Graeme Cremer, to mention a few.

Mashonaland Eagles
Winners of the Logan Cup last season have been struggling to retain their form this year.

They have roped in veteran Grant Flower into their squad after Andrew Hall also joined Elton Chigumbura’s men.

But with Foster Mutizwa, Raymond Price and Greg Lamb in the fold, they should still mount a good challenge for the 20-over tournament.

The Eagles start their campaign with a match against Matabeleland Tuskers on November 14.

Tuskers
Have retained Charles Coventry, Sean Williams, Terry Duffin, Christopher Mpofu and Keegan Meth, among other notables, but loose Andy Blignaut from last season’s squad.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Where to Buy Blood, Sweat and Treason

Currently available in Hardcover it is available online through Amazon, in the UK and US

UK
Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.co.uk

USA

Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including "Blood, Sweat And Treason" by Henry Olonga, “A History of the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe National Sides” by Jonty Winch who traces the history of cricket in this country (Zimbabwe) from the first recorded game played in 1890, through two World Wars and a guerilla war, to the comparative peace of post-independence and eventual world recognition in the 1980s when Zimbabwe was able to send a side to England to take part in the I.C.C. Trophy competition which it won.

There is also the Autobiography of another great Zimbabwean cricket coach Duncan Fletcher “Behind the Shades”

USA: Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.com

At the moment Amazon UK don’t have as wide selection as the US site, but I have ordered books from the US and had them delivered to the UK with no problems.

UK: Amazon.co.uk
Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.co.uk

When it was first announced that Grant Flower would return as Zimbabwe’s batting coach it was greeted with much enthusiasm. Now it has just also been confirmed that Grant, who is now 39 has been included in the squad for Zimbabwe’s tour to South Africa next month as a player and is therefore set to make a stunning comeback to international cricket more than six years after his last appearance for Zimbabwe.

Grant, who has been coaching and playing for Essex for the last six seasons, returned home in August to join the national team of Zimbabwe as its batting coach. Besides his role with the national team, Flower was also appointed as the player coach of the Mashonaland Eagles, a domestic franchise of Zimbabwe.

Previous Achievements
Grant is one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced players and during his first 12 years as part of the Zimbabwean cricket team, he played in 67 Test matches scoring 3457 runs at an average of 29.54 including six centuries and 15 half centuries with a highest of 201 not out. As well as the tests, he played 219 One Day Internationals during his first spell with the Zimbabwe side, scoring a total of 6536 runs including six hundreds and 40 fifties at an average of 33.69. Flower’s top score in ODI’s is 142 not out.

Grant is also a more than capable left arm spinner and in his first stint playing for Zim he claimed 25 Test wickets with a best of 4 for 47 and 104 one-day wickets. His best ODI bowling figures were 4 for 32.

Zims loss, Essex’s Gain
After retiring from international cricket for the first time, and when he first joined Essex six years ago under the controversial Kolpak ruling some Essex fans didn’t take too kindly to his arrival, some even booed.

But the cheering for his retirement on after hitting an unbeaten 81 against Middlesex in his last game, showed he has won the hearts and minds of the Chelmsford faithful who screamed ‘There’s only one Grant Flower’.

Flower has so far made 188 first-class appearances scoring 10,898 runs with 23 centuries and 166 wickets.

The Future
Alistair Campbell, now the Zimbabwe selector, has already said that he wants Grant Flower to play in the 2011 World Cup. He said that he feels that the younger batsmen in the Zimbabwe squad will benefit immensely from playing with one of the countries most experienced cricketers. However, he also went on to say that his return to international cricket would be assessed on a case-by-case basis as the batsman himself had concerns about his fitness.

“The agreement we have is that we’ll just play it tour by tour and see where he’s at,” Campbell told Cricket365. “He says he’s got a few niggling injuries and the like, but he’s committed to this tour [South Africa] and for our domestic Twenty20 tournament, and then we’ll play it by ear from there. I wouldn’t say he’s got a couple of years, but I would dearly love him to play up to and including the World Cup – that’s always been my aim.”

Grant admitted that the dual role of batting coach and player would make his position in the team quite complicated. He further added that the dual role can lead to a conflict of interests as his performance as a player is more likely to affect his coaching role. “There can be a conflict of interests with my role as the batting coach if I can’t turn things around as a player,” Flower said. “It can be awkward if I don’t. If it works, however, it can come out in positive fashion.”

As well as Grant, there have been a number of other high-profile cricketers who have joined Zimbabwe cricket this season. Pacer Jason Gillespie from Australia and South African great, Allan Donald have already started as domestic coaches in Zim, whilst former New Zealand all-rounder, Chris Harris has been put in charge of the Zimbabwe U19 team.

Zimbabwe Squads for the tour of South Africa:

ODI Squad: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Hamilton Masakadza , Chamu Chibhabha, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Shingirai Masakadza, Ian Nicolson, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Ed Rainsford, Chris Mpofu, Keith Dabengwa, Grant Flower, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor.

Twenty20 squad: Elton Chigumbura(capt), Hamilton Masakadza , Chamu Chibhabha, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Shingirai Masakadza, Ian Nicolson, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Charles Coventry, Ed Rainsford, Chris Mpofu, Keith Dabengwa, Grant Flower, Brendan Taylor.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including "Blood, Sweat And Treason" by Henry Olonga, “A History of the Rhodesia and Zimbabwe National Sides” by Jonty Winch who traces the history of cricket in this country (Zimbabwe) from the first recorded game played in 1890, through two World Wars and a guerilla war, to the comparative peace of post-independence and eventual world recognition in the 1980s when Zimbabwe was able to send a side to England to take part in the I.C.C. Trophy competition which it won.

There is also the Autobiography of another great Zimbabwean cricket coach Duncan Fletcher “Behind the Shades”

USA: Amazon.com

Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.com

At the moment Amazon UK don’t have as wide selection as the US site, but I have ordered books from the US and had them delivered to the UK with no problems.

UK: Amazon.co.uk
Zimbabwe Cricket on Amazon.co.uk

Where to Buy Blood, Sweat and Treason

Currently available in Hardcover it is available online through Amazon, in the UK and US

UK
Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.co.uk

USA

Blood, Sweat and Treason on Amazon.com

Great news for all those interested in Zimbabwean cricket is that the former great South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald has joined a growing list of former internationals heading to Zimbabwe to help rebuild our international reputation and push for a return to Test cricket.

Known as ‘White Lightning’, Alan is remembered as a fearsome fast bowler and in his prime, was one of the best fast bowlers ever seen in Test cricket. He reached the top of the ICC Test rankings in 1998 and peaked with a top ICC ranking of 895 points the next year, the 25th best ranking ever. In ODIs, he reached 794 points in 1998, second place to his teammate Shaun Pollock, the 28th best ranking ever. In the early 1990s, he was arguably the only world-class bowler in the South African team, until the emergence of Pollock, with whom he made a healthy new-ball partnership from the 1996/1997 tour of India until his retirement in 2002.

Before deciding on a role in Zimbabwe and since his retirement from the game in 2003, Donald has worked as a bowling and assistant coach for the Free State in SA, Warwickshire and the English Cricket teams but it is said that he has been frustrated in recent months by his inability to secure a full-time position.

What is interesting is that Allan Donald will not coach at international level, rather he will be in charge of the reigning domestic champions the Mountaineers. His contract will last for at least the forthcoming season which begins on September 6 2010.

Speaking to Cricinfo, Donald said that he has “always wanted to move away from being a bowling specialist and become more of a head coach, and this is exactly the sort of opportunity I’ve been looking for,” and went on to say “We are still putting the finishing touches to the contract but I certainly want to do it for more than one year,” Donald said. “I don’t think you can prove too much in one season. And it’s exciting to be part of Zimbabwe cricket’s revival.”

Steve Mangongo, who coached the Mountaineers to both the four-day Logan Cup and Faithwear Metbank 50-over titles last year has relinquished the post to concentrate on dual roles as national assistant to Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher and a supervisory position at the national academy.

As well as Donald, former England batsman Monte Lynch (Southern Rocks) and Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie (Midwest Rhinos) now coach in Zimbabwe’s domestic competitions. While former Zimbabwean internationals Alistair Campbell, Heath Streak, Grant Flower and Dave Houghton are all involved in Zimbabwean Cricket at national level.