Zimbabwe are confident that they can capitalise on their rivals’ fear of playing in their strife-torn nation and spring a surprise at the World Cup.
Skipper Heath Streak has even boldly predicted that his team could go all the way despite being drawn in a tough first round group which includes world champions Australia, Pakistan, India and England.
”We firmly believe we can actually win the cup,” said Streak.
”We are on familiar territory in southern Africa and we have home advantage in the group matches. This is a very important factor for us.
”We beat India and South Africa in the last World Cup, so there’s a track record. We have also beaten England 3-0 here not so long ago. We are known as giant killers and our competition will be wary of us. That’s another advantage.
”Our team has very fit all-rounders, players who can perform well with either bat or ball. And everybody knows our fielding is as good as any.
”So the Super Six is a target, yes. But it is only the first one.”
The skipper’s positive approach is based on knowing his side made it through to the Super Sixes four years ago and, furthermore, he knows that the controversy over England’s reluctance to play their February 13 fixture can only play into his hands.
His positive attitude runs right through the team that’s coached by former Australian Test player Graham Marsh who has been overseeing their training sessions at the Harare Sports Club, where they will face Namibia, England and then India before moving onto Bulawayo, city of ancient kings, to face Australia, Pakistan and finally Holland.
Worryingly, Bulawayo means ”the place of killing.”
Streak is Zimbabwe’s premier strike bowler with 183 wickets at 31 apiece and he is capable of quick scoring at number seven in the batting order.
However, Zimbabwe’s hopes are pinned, as they nearly always are, on the Flower brothers Andy and Grant.
Andy, a stylish and inventive left-hander, has been recognised for several years as one of the finest batsmen in the world while Grant can also be a sound run-getter once settled and they have a rare understanding at the crease. Grant is also an under-rated left-arm spinner.
He took 2-28 in ten overs against Pakistan in November while Wasim Akram’s men were otherwise piling up more than 300 runs. They have top scores in international cricket of 145 and 142 not out respectively.
Zimbabwe need one or both of the brothers to score well if they are to progress as their batting overall has been fragile in the last year or so.
But in Guy Whittall, Travis Friend, Douglas Marillier and Andy Blignaut they have genuine all-rounders who can score rapidly.
Blignaut broke a finger last week, but he will be fit in time for the tournament and a lot will also depend on paceman Henry Olonga, who gets wickets but can be expensive.
Zimbabwe are prone to batting collapses and to erratic bowling and both Marsh and assistant Kevin Curran have been busy trying to correct these deficiencies.
The form book points to comfortable victories against Holland and Namibia with defeats to England, India, Pakistan and Australia.
However, Zimbabwe have thrown the form book away. They’ve beaten all of those except Australia, who they will meet at the ”place of killing.”
Zimbabwe squad: Heath Streak (capt), Guy Whittall, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Mark Vermeulen, Dion Ebrahim, Craig Wishart, Sean Ervine, Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Travis Friend, Henry Olonga, Douglas Hondo, Doug Marillier, Brian Murphy. – Sapa-AFP