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

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

Zimbabwe take on Canada in their second match in this years ICC Cricket World Cup and I am sure all Zimbos around the globe would like to wish Zimbabwe the best of luck.

Zimbabwe vs Canada Live Video Streaming
You can now also watch live video streaming of the game right here on Chirundu.com:

Game Over

Zimbabwe 298/9 (50 ov) | Canada 123 (42.1 ov)
Zimbabwe won by 175 runs

This was a no-contest from the time Taibu and Ervine put on in one partnership more than what Canada could get. Zimbabwe were solid, Canada hopeless. Tatenda Taibu top scored with 98 and Craig Ervine put on 85. The pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers was Ray Price who got 3 for 16.

This was Zim’s fourth-biggest win in ODIs by a runs margin and their most emphatic in a World Cup.

Preview & the Game So Far

Even though Zimbabwe lost to Australia last week, they can be pretty proud of putting up a good performance and so should go into this game with a good deal of confidence.

End of Zimbabwe Innings: Zim 298/9 (RR: 5.96)
Zimbabwe have managed to post a pretty challenging score, though we looked good to get much more when Taibu and Ervine were going strong. But once again the batting let us down a little and Zim lost five for 52 at one stage with Balaji chipping in with wickets in the middle overs. Nevetheless, Canada have a daunting task ahead of them. It could come down to how they handle spin. Zimbabwe have three specialist spinners and enough part-timers, do Canada have the wherewithal to combat them?

At the Toss

Zimbabwe won the toss in the battle of the reds at Nagpur and Elton Chigumbura decided to bat first against Canada. Chigumbura implied that the reason for this was that he'd like to give his batsmen the chance to find some form and set up a good total for his spinners to bowl at.

The Canadian captain, Ashish Bagai, did not seem too upset with losing the toss and said he would've have bowled first anyway in the hope of taking advantage of any life in the wicket first thing in the morning.

It's not often that Zimbabwe start as such overwhelming favourites, but they can't afford to take this opposition lightly. Canada have boldly stated that wins over Kenya and Zimbabwe were their goals coming into this tournament, and although their only ODI against the Zimbabweans, at Port of Spain in May 2006, resulted in a 143-run thrashing they've had more joy in Twenty20s. At King City in October 2008 they fought to a tie, only to concede the match in a bowl-off.

As usual spin is our strength with the trio of Ray Price, Graeme Cremer and Prosper Utseya restraining the batsmen. The Zimbabwe Spinners in the last game against Australia in fact, bowled 39 of the 50 overs and did very well, it was the the batting that failed the team. There is significant experience in the top and middle orders but the bulk of the responsibility in Zimbabwe's chase fell on those lower down the list. On what is expected to be a flat pitch, against a Canadian attack, Zimbabwe's batsmen have the right opportunity to get into the groove.

People to look out for include Charles Coventry - Since his incredible, record-equalling 194 against Bangladesh, he hasn't quite lived up to his potential. He is an attacking batsman who is exciting to watch when in full flow. His last 18 innings have just brought him one half-century. He's got starts, a spate of scores between 10 and 20, but his failure to push on has undermined, somewhat, the hype around him after that landmark achievement.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura hinted his team would retain its three-pronged spin attack. They could go in with an unchanged team. They have seamer Shingirai Masakadza, allrounder Tinashe Panyangara and left-hand batsman Terry Duffin in the 15-man squad as well.

Zimbabwe team
1 Brendan Taylor, 2 Charles Coventry, 3 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Greg Lamb, 7 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Ray Price, 11 Chris Mpofu

Canada team
1 Nitish Kumar, 2 John Davison, 3 Ruvindu Gunasekara, 4 Ashish Bagai (capt/wk), 5 Jimmy Hansra, 6 Zubin Surkari, 7 Tyson Gordon, 8 Rizwan Cheema, 9 Khurram Chohan, 10 Harvir Baidwan, 11 Balaji Rao

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

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.

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

The day started well with Zimbabwe winning the crucial toss and putting Sri Lanka into bat. Then initially Sri Lanka did very well and at one stage they looked like they were running away with the game, having scored 122 for no loss thanks largely to a rollicking start from Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Because Greg Lamb and Andy Blignaut were not playing due to some minor injuries, Zimbabwe tried to get the seamers’ overs out of the way early. Chris Mpofu bowled fairly well, but without any luck, whilst Elton Chigumbura and Chamu Chibhabha didn’t get much out of the pitch, nor did they have the pace to bother the Sri Lankans. In all their first 13 overs went for 89 runs, Dilshan getting 54 of those – eight fours and a six in them.

Enter Zimbabwe’s Spinners
Ray Price was introduced in the 12th over and with that came some control, he was accurate, aggressive and helped by some excellent fielding, began to build some pressure on the visitors.

Prosper Utseya, then got Dilshan stumped, followed up with Dinesh Chandimal’s wicket in the 25th over, and Zimbabwe was now back in the game.

Then a little surprisingly Hamilton Masakadza came to bowl for the first time in the tournament and managed a wicket with only his first ball. His celebration of showing off his vest with “just married” written on it, got him a few words from the umpire Rudi Koertzen, but I think he and everyone saw the funny side of it.

Sri Lanka had now lost 3 wickets for just 33 runs and from there it was all Zimbabwe, with Sri Lanka finally being bowled out for 236.

The Zimbabwe Batting Show

Led once again by the inform Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe never really looked like loosing all their wickets. They did however start a little slowly, but always kept the required run rate under 5. Hamilton Masakadza was first to fall for 3, his first failure in the tournament. Taylor then got great support from Chamu Chibhabha who eventually scored a good 58 of 81 balls after a slow start. Tatenda Taibu then played very well scoring an unbeaten 42 of 55 balls. But it was Brendan Taylor’s 119 not out that really anchored the run chase for Zimbabwe. He went to only his second century in ODI’s with a cheeky single and then most impressively made sure that he was there at the end to see Zim through.

So Zimbabwe finished the group stage at the top of the log, having only lost one game to Sri Lanka and twice beating India. We can now only hope that they play as well in the final:

The Final

The final also against Sri Lanka will be played on Wednesday 9th June at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT), or 8:00 British Summer Time. In Sri Lanka and India, the match starts at 12:30. Hours of play (local time): 09.00 start, First Session 09.00-12.30, Interval 12.30-13.15, Second Session 13.15-16.45

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

It is not often that I get to write a headline like this and in fact Zimbabwe’s seven-wicket win is our largest victory over India in one day internationals ever! It is also the first time that we have beaten them in back-to-back games in our cricketing history.

Zimbabwe bounced back from their poor showing against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo on Tuesday and as if to prove that their first win over India last Friday wasn’t a fluke, Zimbabwe won even more convincingly – with a bonus point this time, which means that our qualification for the final of this tri-series is highly possible.

India Bat First
The day started well with Zimbabwe winning the toss and deciding to put India into bat and on a slow pitch at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe’s four spinners led by Greg Lamb (3-45) combined beautifully. Our opening bowlers, Andy Blignaut and Ray Price, gave India no free scoring opportunities and it must be said that India’s Dinesh Karthik and M Vijay were also very cautious scoring only 26 runs in the first 10 overs (five of them in wides). The result was to restrict India to a very gettable 194-9, with only Ravindra Jadeja (51) getting a decent score for India.

The Zimbabwe Innings

Watching Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu who was due to come into bat at number 3 sitting on the boundary waiting to come into bat (main picture) was a feature of the day as Zimbabwe’s opening pair of Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza punished the bowlers, adding 128 runs in 26.3 overs, which is Zimbabwe’s highest for the first wicket against India, bettering the 121 between Grant Flower and Alistair Campbell at Vadodara on April 5, 199

When the opening stand was broken, it was man of the match Brendan Taylor who having made 83 in the previous game against India was the first to go as he was caught by Murali Vijay off the bowling of Pragyan Ojha for 74. Taylor was strong on the backfoot, plundering six fours and one six from 90 balls and he has now also scored 1038 runs at Harare and is the only the third batsman to do so, joining Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower (1291) and Grant Flower (1099)

Taibu still had to wait as Zimbabwe who were now obviously already looking for the bonus point win decided to send in Charles Coventry, who scored a brisk 20 of 23 balls.

Masakadza eventually fell for 66 runs off 86 balls after Virat Kohli held on to a great catch from the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja having faced 86 balls and smashed four fours and two towering sixes off spinner Amit Mishra in the 31st over. This was Hamilton’s first fifty against India and his 16th overall.

By this time Zimbabwe were well on course for the win, with Elton Chigumbura (16 not out) and Tatenda Taibu (13 not out) easing the side home with plenty of overs in hand.

After the game Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said that he “thought all the bowlers bowled really well and when we batted, we knew it was just a matter of getting good partnerships, and Hami and BT batted really well.” He also revealed that he persuaded coach Alan Butcher to play Blignaut instead of Chris Mpofu. – “He is a very fair coach,” Chigumbura said. “Our relationship is good because we meet each halfway. I know what he wants and he knows what I want. For example, today I wanted Andy Blignaut to play and he wanted Chris Mpofu to play.”

Blignaut, returned that faith shown in him and bowled a full spell for Zimbabwe for the first time since his international cricket comeback a few months ago. He has been used mainly as a middle-order batsman who bowled a bit. But today he extracted good movement to claim 1-23 from his 10 overs. “During practice he (Blignaut) has been bowling well and we thought if we drop Chris instead (of Blignaut) it will give us good balance because Blignaut can also bat.”

Zimbabwe Stats

• This is the first time that Zimbabwe has recorded successive wins against India in ODIs. In their previous ODI against India at Bulawayo on May 28, 2010, Zimbabwe won by six wickets.
• Zimbabwe’s seven-wicket win is the 10th against India in ODIs out of 51 played – winning % 21.56 (Lost 39 and Tied 2).
• Zimbabwe’s seven-wicket victory is the biggest over India at Harare and the second biggest against India ever, next only to the eight-wicket victory at Bulawayo on February 15, 1997.
• Greg Lamb’s (3/45) is to date his career-best bowling performance in ODIs.
• Blignaut captured his 50th wicket in ODIs – his victim being Ravindra Jadeja.
• Brendan Taylor’s second half-century (74 off 90 balls) against India is his 19th in ODIs and has now scored 1500 runs at home at an average of 36.58, including twelve fifties, in 48 matches. He has now also scored 1038 runs at Harare and is the only the third batsman to do so, joining Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower (1291) and Grant Flower (1099).

Next Games

The next game in the Series is on Saturday June 5th where India will take on Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club and then Zimbabwe play Sri Lanka also at HSC on June 7th. The final is on June 9th.

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

Zimbabwe Squad for the ICC Cricket World Twenty20: Prosper Utseya (capt), Brendan Taylor (wk), Andy Blignaut, Charles Coventry, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Greg Lamb, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, Ray Price, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha, Chris Mpofu, Timycen Maruma, Craig Ervine.

Zimbabwe cricket is slowly returning from their lowest point and becoming once again a respected team in international cricket and Alan Butcher, the new Zimbabwe coach, is banking on his team to pull off an upset during the opening round of World Twenty20 matches in the West Indies. They have been grouped with New Zealand and Sri Lanka for the opening phase of the tournament and Butcher believes the nature of the format gives his side a chance.

The introduction of Heath Streak and Alan Butcher as coaches along with the return of experienced players like wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, spinner Ray Price and all-rounder Andy Blignaut has given Zimbabwe a much-needed boost.

As shown in the recent series that had with the West Indies where Zimbabwe won a few games including a Twenty20 international, the slower Caribbean pitches will suit Zimbabwe’s good slow bowling attack, and they have plenty of it with left-armer Price, leggie Graeme Cremer and off-spinners Greg Lamb, who has done well since returning to his homeland after five seasons with Hampshire, and skipper Prosper Utseya.

Zimbabwe’s tactics throughout the series with the West Indies was based around their spinners, with the new ball given to Ray Price and they set to continue with a similar style of play on what is likely to be a slow, low wicket at Providence in Guyana.

Hamilton Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura can hit a long ball while Charles Coventry, who recently lost his record for the highest one-day international individual score to Sachin Tendulkar, has the potential to dent the better bowling attacks in world cricket.

Zimbabwe will draw strength from their recent victorys over the West Indies and over Australia in a warm up match as well as in the 2007 tournament, but will still find it hard to beat teams like New Zealand and Sri Lanka on a regular basis.

Zimbabwe’s Recent Highlights

• Beat Australia in Cape Town in 2007 in its first ICC WT20 match, to emulate their victory over the same team in its first ICC CWC match in 1983.
• Beat West Indies by 26 runs in a Twenty20 International at Port-of-Spain in February this year.
• Beat Australia in a Warm Up Game.
• Its highest Twenty20 International total is 184-5 against Canada at Toronto in 2008.
• Two Zimbabweans, Ray Price and Prosper Utseya, are amongst the four bowlers who have conceded just six runs in four overs of a Twenty20 International.
• Reached the Super Six stage in ICC CWC 1999 and ICC CWC 2003, but have yet to reach a semi-final in an ICC event.
• Have recorded ODI wins over all other Full members of the ICC.
• The domestic Twenty20 tournament held in Zimbabwe in February this year was won by Mountaineers who beat Mashonaland Eagles in the final.

Zimbabwe’s First Round Fixtures:

Mon May 3 – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local | 14:30 BST
Providence Stadium, Guyana

Tue May 4 – New Zealand v Zimbabwe
13:30 GMT | 09:30 local | 14:30 BST
Providence Stadium, Guyana

Six hitters: Charles Coventry, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Andy Blignaut
Toe-cruncher: Andy Blignaut
Spinners: Ray Price, Greg Lamb, Prosper Utesya, Graeme Cremer
Best fielder: Graeme Cremer
Ones to watch: Charles Coventry, Tatenda Taibu

Zimbabwe – Players

Prosper Utseya- CAPTAIN	Ray Price	Tatenda Taibu	Andy Blignaut
Vusi Sibanda	Brendan Taylor	Charles Coventry	Hamilton Masakadza
Graeme Cremer	Chamu Chibhabha	Chris Mpofu	Elton Chigumbura
Timycen Maruma	Greg Lamb	Craig Ervine

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

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

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