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Dav Whatmore

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE coach Dav Whatmore has challenged his players to go the extra mile and try to cross the line when they get the One Day International Series against India underway at the Harare Sports Club this morning.

The hosts are looking for a positive start to set the tone for the tour, which includes three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches.

Whatmore is excited that the visit by India will mark the beginning of a season of prolonged international cricket in Zimbabwe and wants his charges to be competitive ahead of the busy schedule to improve their rankings.

He told reporters that his men have shown great potential during the seven months he has worked with them, but lacked the killer punch to finish off games.

The 61-year-old coach said they have been working on the shortcomings and is hoping to see the best out of this Zimbabwe side.

Whatmore has often watched his team coming close against their opponents, who included India at the recent World Cup, but failing to convert their potential into wins.

India have rested some of their key players like captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli.

But Whatmore said they will not be tempted to look into the strengths or weaknesses of their opponents.

“The opposition still has good players and there is no doubt about that,” said Whatmore.

“But as far as we are concerned our agenda is different. Our agenda is really beginning to get together a winning combination, improve and get more confidence within ourselves.

“We have shown we are capable, but are not crossing the line.

“We know the areas we need to improve on and that’s what we are trying hard to do. Hopefully, we can see the results showing in a couple of days.”

Zimbabwe have been in camp since last month and announced a team which features nine batters, four seamers and two specialist spinners.

Whatmore looks to gives the thumbs-up to Chamu Chibhabha and either Vusimuzi Sibanda or Hamilton Masakadza to open the innings, while some positive batting performances are expected in the middle order from Sean Williams, captain Elton Chigumbura and Malcom Waller.

Sikandar Raza Butt has a new role down the order.

Whatmore said their bowlers, led by Tinashe Panyangara, need to play a big role today.

“We have been doing fairly good, but certain areas, like our attack, need to be able to pick some wickets a little bit more regularly. We need to improve on fielding and we are working on that,” said Whatmore.

“If we can continue with our good form with the bat, then we can be in a good position to begin to win.

“We are very happy to have India here because it represents a number of matches here in Zimbabwe, something that has been missing and it’s looking like a full member’s fixtures.

“We are very aware that there is a gap between the rankings and also a gap between the games internationally, but that doesn’t automatically mean you will do well.

“We just need to continue to do things that we agreed as a team, as individuals; in certain key areas we need to get right and maybe if we get them right we have a good chance of winning.”

India stand-in coach Bharat Arun said they had a lot of respect for their hosts.

Arun said they have quality players in the squad who have done well in the domestic league and in the IPL who are keen to impress.

He said there are many players in the side who are keen to prove themselves.

The stand-in captain, Ajinkya Rahane, is aware of the task ahead of him as an individual, while the likes of Murali Vijay, who last played an ODI for India in July 2013, and Ambati Rayudu, have been in and out of the ODI team.

Harbhajan Singh, India’s fifth most successful wicket-taker in ODIs, is the most experienced member of the squad and will probably like to grab the lifeline offered to him by the selectors with both hands when the tour begins today.

The touring coach said their objective was to win the series and they will not take Zimbabwe lightly when they get the ball rolling this morning.

“I would say it’s not a new team. I guess it’s a pretty experienced bag. Most of the guys have been there before. Sandeep (Sharma) is the only one who is relatively new.

“He has done exceptionally well in the IPL and I guess that should give him the necessary confidence to do well here,” said Arun.

Teams:

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (Captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams.

India ODI squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Stuart Binny, Kedar Jadhav,Dhawal Kulkarni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Ambati Rayudu, Karn Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Manoj Tiwary, Robin Uthappa and Murali Vijay..