Zimbabwe followed up their excellent Twenty20 win on Sunday by beating West Indies by two runs in a tense first one-day international in Guyana.

It was Shingirai Masakadza in his first game for Zimbabwe that took two wickets in the final over to help Zimbabwe to the win. The West Indies, chasing 255 for victory, needed 15 off the final over with three wickets in hand but Masakadza bowled Dwayne Smith (4) and Sulieman Benn was caught at midwicket next ball.

With the hosts requiring four off the final ball, Masakadza bowled a yorker to Kemar Roach who could only pick up a single to give Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the five-match series,

The West Indies run chase got off to a good but slow start with Ray Price bowling well, but captain Chris Gayle (57) and Adrian Barath (50) had a 99-run opening partnership before four wickets fell for 66 runs.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul steadied the West Indies and put them within sight of victory with a quick-fire 70 before being caught off the bowling of Masakadza, younger brother of Zimbabwe opener Hamilton.

Zimbabwe’s Vusi Sibanda fell five runs short of his century in 162-ball innings that included five fours and a six as the visitors reached 254 for five in their 50 overs. Hamilton Masakadza chipped in with 41 before wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu smashed 56 off only 54 balls.

The second ODI is in Guyana on Saturday 6th March 2010.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including “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 Books 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

Zimbabwe 2-1 Malawi

Zimbabwe’s Warriors came from behind to defeat second string Malawi’s Flames 2-1 in a strength testing match played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Wednesday afternoon.

The Flames, who only had one player, Dave Banda who was part of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations squad, grabbed the lead through Noel Mkandawire in the first half.

But it was this goal that forced Zimbabwe to come out of their shell and they scored an equaliser through Banda’s own goal from a deflection before Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Rusike scored the winner in the second half: Rusike took a high ball down with his chest and despite the presence of a Flames defender, he fired a low shot on the turn that goalkeeper Nthala never saw.

Teams:

Zimbabwe: E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, G. Karimupfumbi, M. Mwanjali, D. Veremu, A. Rambanapasi (E. Meleka, 85th minute), T. Kamusoko (R. Zhuwawo, 48th minute), F. Vimisayi (R. Mteki, 50th minute), N. Mushekwi (C. Malajila), K. Musona, T. Rusike.

Malawi: Simplex Nthala, Harry Nyirenda, Grey Nyirenda, Maupo Msowoya, Chikumbutso Kanyenda, Davi Banda, Peter Mgandira (Limbikani Mzava, 61st min), Gastin Simukonda (Luka Milanzi, 70th min), Green Harawa (Pilira Mwehiwa, 44th minute), Noel Mkandawire (Blessing Tembo, 76th min), Chikaiko Bridge (Joel Chipofya, 52nd min).

The first game of the five match one day series between the West Indies and Zimbabwe will be played at the Provedence ground in Guyana on Thursday March 4th and is to be shown live on Sky Sports 4 from 13:25 here in the UK. The two sides recently played out a low-scoring but very thrilling T20I, where Zimbabwe beat a Denesh Ramdin-led West Indies side.

West Indies still favourites
Despite that loss, it is the lack of Zimbabwean firepower and the previous record that will allow West Indies to go into the game as favourites according to the bookies and it is Chris Gayle’s return to the West Indian side obviously means that he will be favoured to get to a big one. He hdid not have a very good tour of Australia and hence will look to use this opportunity to overcome the form issues before the start of the IPL. West Indies will also be strengthened by the return to international cricket of Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, while Adrian Barath will be tested in his opener’s role.

Kieron Pollard’s recent elevation to an ODI player, as compared to his earlier T20I specialist tag saw him take off well in Australia. He could be the man to watch out for in the series, and how he goes about his business in the first game will make for an interesting viewing.

Zimbabwe’s batsmen have not been as consistent as they would have liked, but that has probably to do with their lack of exposure at the highest level. Most of their recent games against teams like Bangladesh have also been lost and that has mainly to do with the fact that the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Charles Coventry have not been able to perform well as regularly as they would have liked.

The one batsman who missed out in the Twenty20, but cannot be counted out is Tatenda Taibu who had begun the tour with a century and who will look to make this innings count as well.

Team news
Though Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan have not been included in the squad for the opening one-day game, West Indies will be boosted by Gayle’s return, and will also depend heavily on Chanderpaul’s extensive experience and calm batting.

West Indies (probable) – 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Adrian Barath, 3 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 4 Narsingh Deonarine, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Dwayne Smith, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Nikita Miller

Chris Mpofu and Kyle Jarvis both proved expensive in Zimbabwe’s warm-up game against the UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI, and with another spin-friendly surface expected in Guyana, Zimbabwe could well go for a three-pronged slow bowling attack once again.

Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Brendan Taylor 4 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 5 Charles Coventry, 6 Greg Lamb, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Prosper Utseya (capt), 9 Ray Price, 10 Graeme Cremer, 11 Shingirai Masakadza

Fancy a Flutter?
Make the game even more interesting and put some money on it:
Favourites: West Indies (1/4 at Boylesports)
Top West Indian batsman: Chris Gayle (13/5 at Totesport)
Top Zimbabwean batsman: Tatenda Taibu (9/2 at Boylesports)

Free £60 bet when you bet with totesport! – Totesport are currently offering you a £60 in free bets when you open an account with them.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including “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 Books 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

I was really pleasantly surprised to see that the Twenty20 international cricket match in Trinidad between Zimbabwe and the West Indies was to be shown on Sky and just managed to convince my wife that she really didn’t need to watch Lark Rise to Candleford as is her usual Sunday evening ritual. Before the game there was plenty to be optimistic about as the West Indies have only recently returned from Australia where they were truly thumped and Zim currently have a feel good factor with many past players like Grant Flower and Heath Streak returning in coaching roles as well as guys like Ray Price and Tatenda Taibu retuning as players.

After only a few overs I started to wonder if this was really a good idea because in just 16 deliveries, Zimbabwe had already lost three wickets to the left-arm spin of Benn with no score on board! This was going to be embarrassing!! Luckily Hamilton Masakadza managed to guts it out for his 44 and there was a late onslaught from Elton Chigumbura with his 19-ball 34 and Zimbabwe managed to go from 76 for 6 in 18 overs to 105 all out. Not a great score, but at least this wasn’t going to be too embarrassing.

Before the start of the game Zimbabwe’s captain Prosper Utseya said that the spinners were one of the side’s big strengths, and this turned out to be the case with the ball turning significantly, Zimbabwe used the slow bowlers for 18 of the 20 overs! Initially things did not look great as whilst Zim’s spinners were difficult to score off, the West Indian batsmen of Adrian Barath and Shivnarine Chanderpaul negotiated the first five overs, steering West Indies to 20 for 0.

What the slow scoring did do was build some pressure on the West Indians and in a flurry of attempted big hits from their batsmen, the home side imploded. Barath was bowled in the sixth over after being beaten by the turn when looking to clear the legside boundary, Andre Fletcher picked out the deep square leg fielder with a powerful sweep in the next over, Pollard was foxed by the flight and dip of Graeme Cremer in his first attempt at a signature lofted on-drive, and Darren Bravo picked up a golden duck after the ball kept low when he was trying a Hollywood pull shot. West Indies had stumbled to 32 for 4 and then when Offspinner Greg Lamb trapped the dangerous Shivnarine Chanderpaul lbw in the 12th over with a delivery that spun a lot less than the batsman expected, it was game on!

Zimbabwe had gone from disaster and possible real embarrassment, to posting a slightly respectable target and now they had a chance to win the game! The true character of all Zimbabweans fighting spirit was shining through, but I also remembered that we also have the habit of snatching defeat out of the hands of victory. Not this time – as from this stage, it was almost all Zimbabwe. Dwayne Smith threatened briefly and stand-in captain Denesh Ramdin battled till the end, but West Indies never really mounted a serious challenge. Zimbabwe had won!

Often sport is more than just a game and I just hope that with the return of the many cricketers to Zimbabwe it also means that many more of us will return to rebuild our great country, where we can all be winners.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including “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 Books 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

Great news for all Zimbabwean cricket fans is that Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed Essex all rounder and former Zimbabwe cricket player Grant Flower as batting coach to become effective this October.

It is understood that Grant will be working with new head coach Alan Butcher, bowling Coach and former Zimbabean team mate Heath Streak and local franchise coach Steven Mangongo

Grant Flower, brother of current English coach Andrew Flower, left the Zimbabwe side in 2004 with a group of players termed the “rebels” following disagreements with Zimbabwe Cricket management over how the sport was being administered in the country. Since then he has been playing very successfully English county side Essex.

It is hoped that Zimbabwe will in the next few years be invited to return to playing test cricket after they withdrew in 2006 and it is because of this that Zim Cricket has embarked on an aggressive program to strengthen its technical support staff. This program is in line with recommendations from the International Cricket Council to develop local domestic structures as well as strengthen technical support structures within the organization.

Grant Flower’s Test Playing Career Highlights

Educated at St George’s College in Harare, Grant Flower played in Zimbabwe’s Inaugural Test match against India. He opened the batting and went on to score 82, falling short of a century on Test debut. His first test century was also a double hundred, scoring 201 not out against Pakistan when they toured Zimbabwe in 1995. His innings would help Zimbabwe to win their first ever Test match as they won by a convincing Innings and 64 Runs.

Grant became the first Zimbabwean to score a century in both innings of a Test match in 1997 against New Zealand where he scored 104 and 151 in Harare.

Grant Flower’s ODI Career Highlights

A little known fact is that other than Heath Streak Grant Flower has taken more ODI wickets than any other Zimbabwean bowler. In total he scored 6 ODI tons and 9 times he was either unbeaten or dismissed in the 90’s. One of his most memorable centuries would come in the final of a one-day triangular tournament in Bangladesh. Playing against Kenya he smashed an 82 ball century and finished with 140, just 2 short of David Houghton’s national record.

Zimbabwe Cricket Books

Amazon, have a bunch of Zim related cricket books, including “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 Books 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

Captains pose at the opening ceremony at the U19 Cricket World Cup

I was pleased to find that Zimbabwe were competing at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 in New Zealand, it is also interesting to look through the list of names, with a few having some pretty familiar Zimbabwean cricket surnames. Like Nathan Waller, who’s uncle, Andrew Waller and his cousin, Malcolm Waller, have both represented Zimbabwe at international level.

A player with a bright future must surely be Dylon Higgins, now 18, he burst onto the first-class scene in 2009, taking 11 wickets on his first-class debut. He is a leg-spinner, who lists Shane Warne as his cricketing hero. He also has plenty of family cricketing heritage with his uncle, Colin Robertson, and brother, Ryan, both having appeared for Zimbabwe. In a throw back to the days of Andy and Guy Whittall, he has a cousin in the squad Calum Price, who in turn also has a fairly familiar family name.

Other players to keep an eye on include Tinotenda Mutombodzi who is an important player for Zimbabwe with the bat while Steve Chimhamhiwa is also highly rated.

Overall, Zimbabwe will head into the tournament desperate to make a mark in the tournament after some disappointing performances in recent years, but will find it pretty difficult after being placed in a strong group which also features New Zealand and Sri Lanka and having already lost to Canada by 10 runs and then suffering a big defeat by 8 wickets to Sri Lanka earlier today.

In the group stages of the 2008 event, Zimbabwe lost all its games, losing to Pakistan by 87 runs, Malaysia by 70 runs and New Zealand by 98 runs.

Zimbabwe U19 then suffered a embarrassing defeat to Nepal by 99 runs in the ninth placed play-off, defeated Malaysia by 44 runs in the next stage of the competition, before losing to Ireland by six wickets in the 13th place play-off.

In recent matches Zimbabwe U19s has lost one-day series 5-0 to Bangladesh and 6-1 to Pakistan. It will draw comfort, though, from the fact that Pakistan is a two-time winner of this event and the consolation victory against this opponent illustrates that on its day it could be a dangerous side for anybody to face.

With Zimbabwe’s senior team going through a transitional stage, players will know that spots in the squad for the ICC World Twenty20, that will take place in the Caribbean in April and May, are potentially up for grabs.

And the fact some of the squad are getting their chance in a restructured domestic set-up, allied with improving opportunities in international cricket, means that these are exciting times to be a young cricketer in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe U19 Squad:
Dylon Higgins (c)
Andrew Lindsay
Calum Price
Dean Mashawidza
Gary Chirimuuta
Mazvita Zambuko
Nathan Waller
Natsai M´Shangwe
Peter Moor
Richard Muzhange
Scott Daly
Simon Mugava
Stephen Chimhamhiwa
Tendai Chatara
Tinotenda Mutombodzi

In a warm up match for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe had a comfortable victory over qualifiers Afghanistan, chasing down 175 in steady if unspectacular fashion to win by four wickets with overs in hand. After losing their first wicket on the third ball, Zimbabwe consolidated and enjoyed several solid partnerships, Peter Moor top scoring with 45 and Andrew Lindsay compiling 37.

Earlier Zimbabwe’s opening bowlers had taken five wickets between them to inflict severe damage on the Afghanistan innings. After also losing a wicket in the first over Afghanistan were never able to lift their run rate above the sedate. Hashmat Shaidi’s 50 was the best score of the innings.

Zimbabwe:
176-6 in 40.3 overs (Peter Moor 45, Andrew Lindsay 37, Dylon Higgins 30; Ayub Khan 2-28, Hamza Hotak 2-44)
Zimbabwe won by four wickets

Afghanistan:
175 in 44.2 overs (Hashmat Shaidi 50, Javed Ahmadi 30; Calum
Price 3-57, Tendai Chatara 2-25)

Like many Zimbabweans, Tendai Mtawarira is living and working far from home. Unlike most of us, Tendai plays for the Springboks. He is far from the first Zimbabwean to play for the South African rugby side (Take a look at my post on Zimbabwean Springboks) and I am sure he won’t be the last.

I cannot speak for him, but if he is anything like most Zimbabweans I meet, he would much rather be living and working in Zimbabwe. But until things get better, many of us will continue to live in a foreign country, giving them the benefit of our skills and depriving Zimbabwe them.

Last week, I noticed with interest that the South African Sports Ministry has accused the South African Rugby Union (SARU) of poor administration regarding their handling of Tendai Mtawarira’s eligibility for playing for the Springboks.

Apparently “The Beast” as he has been nicknamed was in danger of missing the year-end tour if the Sports Ministry weren’t satisfied with the reasons that a foreign national had been selected for the Springboks. Tendai Mtawarira debuted for the Boks in 2008 after completing his three-year residency and has played 19 Tests and has already toured with the Springboks to the UK last year, as well as Australasia this year and in 2008 and so it is strange that they are bringing up the issue now.

SARU apparently wants to speed up the process of getting Mtawarira’s South African citizenship, by asking a government minister to use his influence.

‘This request to have the Minister use his position to have the process of securing permanent residence and subsequently, citizenship expedited ahead of the year end tour in Europe, has exposed our sport administrators’ clear disrespect or lack of understanding of our laws,’ the ministry said in a statement.

‘Talented as he is, Tendai, like all foreign nationals plying their trade in South Africa, is bound by the laws of this country. The migration laws of our country are clear on issues relating to permanent residence and citizenship. We expect our sport administrators to understand and respect legislation that regulate their business. None of the athletes, sport codes, or federations can be bigger than the country.’

The Sports Ministry also questioned whether Mtawarira is that much better than other looseheads in the country to gain the special treatment that allowed him to tour.

‘While Tendai is a live wire on the field of play, the question is whether it is, in the first place, justifiable to say he has scarce skills – the rationale that would have enabled him to obtain the current work permit. If we go the route our rugby administrators are requesting us to take, and facilitate the fast-tracking of Tendai’s citizenship, what would this say to all rugby players in our country? We cannot as a government department responsible for sport and recreation in this country, afford to insult our players like this,’ added the statement.

‘The principle here is clear: Only citizens of our country can play for our National team, irrespective of the sport code. Therefore, no foreign national can play for any of our national teams, no matter how outstanding they may be. If any player in any code is to become a South African citizen, this has to be done within the legal framework of our country.

‘Federations, provinces and clubs, are more than welcome to approach us for advice on similar issues, instead of trying to slip a player through the legal framework.’

SARU responded by saying they would not comment on the Sport Ministry’s statements.

The Beast

If you are wondering why Tendai is known as The Beast: It had something to do with him being “a bit of a bully” in his primary school days in Harare, Mtawarira has stated. It was also back then, when his huge frame was knocking down smaller contemporaries in a football match, that a local rugby coach thought he might be better suited to the rough and tumble of the 15-man game. It has only been in the past two years, though, that Mtawarira has made a name for himself as a beast of a prop.

The Zimbabwe Cheetahs 7’s rugby side will compete in a tough group in this years Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament.

To be held from the 4th to the 5th of December, Zimbabwe were drawn in the same pool with former champions Fiji, Samoa and Scotland in the 16-team competition. Zimbabwe will go into the tournament with mixed emotions as they managed an impressive run to get to the final  of the recent Trustco international tournament in Windhoek, but then lost heavily to South African in that final ( 14-61).

Zimbabwe’s match against Samoa is will be the second game of the opening day’s fixtures, from there the Zim Cheetahs take on Fiji before meeting Scotland in their final group game.

South Africa have the  number one seed at the Dubai tournament followed by Fiji, England and New Zealand.

Although they did well in Namibia, the Cheetahs know they have to be at their best at the Dubai to progress past the pool stages of the tournament. How well Zimababwe do is also important for them to be considered for more world series tourneys.

IRB Sevens manager Beth Coalter said Zimbabwe could be invited to the Hong Kong tournament should they impress the world rugby governing body in Dubai and in South Africa.

“I am pleased to confirm Zimbabwe’s Sevens team’s participation in the 2009/2010 series in the Dubai tournament (4-5 December) and South Africa (11-12 December). “Following the team’s performance in these two tournaments, Zimbabwe would also be invited to participate at the Hong Kong tournament (26-28 March). “I look forward to Zimbabwe participating once again in this year’s series,” read part of the letter from Coalter.

Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson believes his side has the potential to impress in Dubai and South Africa and win a call to more IRB events. “We will do our best to be invited to Hong Kong,” said Hobson. “Our Sevens campaign has intensified this year with more interest as a result of the positive things from the Sevens World Cup.” “We have concentrated on developing a squad of 22 players who could be competitive enough to play in the IRB World Series.” “In this respect our Sevens Academy continues to provide the training vehicle for our Sevens throughout the year so that we build on our player base in case of injuries and player non-availability,’’ said Hobson.

Zimbabwe  won the Castle Sevens in Zambia in June, managed their first silverware at the World Cup where they won the Bowl, and were brilliant at the Trustco International where they beat such experienced sides like Argentina and Portugal.

Key players like Cleopas Makotose, Gerald Sibanda, Gordon Pangeti, Wesley Mbanje, Daniel Hondo, Willis Magasa and Ryan Manyika, have recently been missing from the side and it is hoped that they will return for Dubai, so that Zim can field the strongest team possible.

The new faces to look out for in Zimbabwe 7’s colours include Scotty Jones, Bruce Chibesa, Graham Kaulbach, and Busani Ndlovu.

More information on Zimbabwe Rugby: http://www.zimbabwerugby.com

Fast Track, a weekly Round up of African Sports News is produced by the BBC World Service and is presented by Zimbabwean Farayi Mungazi.

The Fast Track show is live on Mondays and Fridays from 4-5pm (GMT) and on Sundays from 6:20 – 6:30pm (GMT). On the show Farayi discusses the issues and asks the questions that every African sports fan wants to hear.

About Farayi Mungazi

He was born in Zimbabwe where he was a sports presenter and commentator for the ZBC before he joined the World Service in 1999 where he works on the sports output for Focus on Africa, Network Africa and the BBC African football website. He says he likes cricket and figure skating and hopes to run the London Marathon one day.

For More details and to listen to his show Live as well as previous episodes, follow this link to the Fast Track Show on The BBC