Kenya took revenge for Saturday’s demoltion job by Zimbabwe, winning the 2nd ODI in equally convincing style. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, but if they were hoping the Kenyan batsmen would perform as poorly as in the first game of the series, they were disappointed. Captain Steve Tikolo led with way, scoring 98 on the way to a Kenyan total of 284/7 from their 50 overs.
As the Kenyan batting improved, so the Zimbabwean batting collapsed, with both Terrence Duffin (3) and Hamilton Masakadza (4) failing to make much impression on the scorers. Newcomers Piet Rinke (54) and Keegan Meth (53) attempted to steady the ship, but the target proved too much and the home team finally ended on 205 all out after 46.2 overs.
The series is now finely balanced at 1-1, and the teams now move to Harare for the remaining three games. Zimbabwe have shown they can beat Kenya, and beat them convincingly - although after today’s results you have to wonder if they believe than themselves.
Full Scorecard (BBC Sport)
Zimbabwe have cruised to a convincing win in their 1st one-dayer against Kenya, scotching expectations that their inexperienced team would be easy fodder for the Kenyans. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kenya scored 227/9 from their 50 overs, with Kennedy Otieno (74) and Thomas Odoyo (54) top-scoring for the visitors.
Zimbabwe never looked to be in danger of missing their target. Piet Rinke, an almost complete unknown before this match, made his international debut with a useful 42, and was the only one of the 4 Zimbabwean batsmen used not to make a half-century. New captain Terence Duffin, who made 50+ in his test debut, repeated the task in his first ODI, picking up 53 before being run out. Hamilton Masakadza (58) and Brendan Taylor (60) were the other batsmen used, and the target was reached with more than 6 overs to spare.
Zim should now go into the 2nd ODI, again in Bulawayo tomorrow, with a 1-0 series lead and a healthy dose of confidence after showing that they can produce when required.
Full Scorecard (BBC Sport)
CricInfo has an interview with former Zimbabwe player Bryan Strang, who is still involved with cricket in Zim at shools level. He points out one of the flaws with the current ZC administration:
“I’m disappointed because the people in charge of Zimbabwe cricket do not look to the children more, and the opportunity that sports create for everyone. You can’t give up on this great future. The administration need to start caring about children’s future, and also the future of everyone, who if cricket was there, would have a job.”
You can find the rest of the interview here.
The ICC have released their schedule for Associate nation one-day matches for the next year, and in addition to this month’s series against Kenya, Zimbabwe are scheduled to meet Bermuda and Canada in a 4-match triangular series. The tour is set for 16-20 May 2006, following Zimbabwe’s tour to the West Indies. Exact dates and locations are yet to be announced.
The ICC schedule also includes Kenya’s upcoming tour to Bangladesh. Barring any late changes, it now seems certain Zimbabwe will not be making this a triangular series as had originally been planned.
Schedule of ODI matches involving ICC Associate Members through to ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 (ICC)
Zimbabwe have named a 15-man squad for the one-day series against Kenya, and as expected Terrence Duffin has been confirmed as captain. As expected, Andy Blignaut is not named in the side, while U19 captain Sean Williams has also apparently not signed a new contract with ZC and has not been named, although two other U19 team members, Ryan Higgins and Keegan Meth, will get their chance to debut at full international level. Two other uncapped players, Gregory Strydom and Pete Rinke, are also in the squad.
Full squad: Terrence Duffin (captain), Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Ryan Higgins, Anthony Ireland, Blessing Mahwire, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Waddington Mwayenga, Edward Rainsford, Piet Rinke, Gregory Strydom, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya.
Duffin named Zim cricket captain (The Independent)
Terence Duffin is expected to be named the new Zimbabwe captain ahead of the series agains Kenya, despite not have any experience of the one-day game. Duffin made his debut for the national team in the test series against India last September, making a half-century in his debut game, but has not yet played in an ODI. The captaincy had been expected to go to Andy Blignaut, but he has not yet settled his issues with ZC and has stated he will not play for the national team until he has been paid outstanding match fees.
Meanwhile, Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo has promised to give Zimbabwe a run for their money in the series - although given the results when Kenya met Zimbabwe A last year, that may not be so hard. Speaking to the Daily Nation, Tikolo warned that:
“…Zimbabwe should brace themselves for a tough competition.”
We will shock Zimbabwe, says Tikolo (Daily Nation)
Kenya’s tour to Zimbabwe is back to being a 5-match affair, after ZC backed down on their plans to reduce the series to three games without consulting anyone. The first two games will now be played in Bulawayo, with the final 3 in Harare.
Kenya have now announced their squad for the tour. A number of familiar faces, including Martin Suji and Ravi Shah, have been omitted due to injury, allowing some younger faces to make the squad.
Kenya include youngsters in squad for Zimbabwe (CricInfo)
CricInfo have an interview with Tatenda Taibu, where he reveals he’s signed to play club cricket for Surrey team Pyrford and for celebrity team Lashings. Taibu also comments on the state of the game in Zimbabwe:
“All the cricket-loving people are not much involved these days. … I just do not a see a future. It’s sad that I left before I produce the best that can. I had my best years still to come. I had not reached my peak. But you never know what the future holds and what God has in mind.”
The full interview can be found here
Zimbabwe’s participation in the Under-19 World Cup came to an end today when they lost their Playoff Semi-Final against Sri Lanka, despite posting their highest score in the tournament to date. Batting first, Zim set a challenging total of 256/8 from their 50 overs, led by a thris-wicket partnership of 131 by Gary Balance and Keegan Meth.
The Sri Lankans were up to the task, though, and reached the target in the 48th over for the loss of just two wickets to win the match by 8 wickets. Sri Lanka will now face Bangladesh on the Playoff Final for the tournament’s 5th place.
CricInfo reports that Andy Blignaut has confirmed that he has no intention of playing for the national side until he receives payment for last year’s matches, despite press releases issues by ZC to the contrary:
“I told them I will not have anything to do with them until I am paid six months’ salary and match fees for two Tests and also for one-day internationals against India and New Zealand six months ago. I have already made this crystal clear to them.”
Blignaut is currently the most senior national player and is expected to be appointed team captain if or when he eventually signs the new contract on offer, and would be a player the team could ill do without.
Blignaut remains at loggerheads with board