Gavin Ewing and Tawanda Mupariwa have been drafted in the squad for the triangular series pitting Zimbabwe’s A side against Sri Lanka and South Africa.Since their inclusion into Zimbabwe A’s training squad, just over a fortnight ago, concern had been over their fitness given the two had been out of the national set-up for a long time.
The two have since been subjected to a rigorous fitness programme, which they appear to have passed. Ewing, despite his form, had fallen out of contention for both the senior and A sides, while Mupariwa has been sidelined by injury for the past six months.
According to Zimbabwe A’s head coach Steven Mangongo, the two have been working hard in training and could be well on their way to remarkable comebacks.
“I am happy to announce that both Ewing and Mupariwa will be eligible for selection when the squad gets trimmed for the 50-over Tri-series, given they pass fitness tests.
“Mupariwa is on his way back to his menacing best and has been bowling with great control on top of batting well during training. Ewing looks to be in good shape and believes he is ready to take up the challenges of international cricket,” said Mangongo.
The duo’s return seems to be the only piece of good news coming from the camp after the team got off to the worst possible start in their preparations for the tri-series, which begins later week.
Despite an already shaky squad, Mangongo has had to contend with the loss of a couple of seasoned players and a blight of injuries.Foster Mutizwa and all-rounder Glen Querl failed to make it into camp due to injury and contractual obligations respectively.
Skipper Tino Mawoyo and Raza Sikander Butt received minor injuries during camp while upcoming leg spinner Natsai Mushangwe was axed from the team.Mushangwe was axed from the team after he failed to pitch up for Zimbabwe’s nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the Pran RFL Twenty20 final last month, while Mutizwa failed to recover from a back injury and will miss yet another series.
“It’s unfortunate that Mushangwe’s expulsion will stand and he will not take part in the series at all. He is an extremely talented bowler and would have been an integral part of the team had he made it.
“He has since apologised and asked to at least train with the squad, a request that we have granted him.
“Mutizwa has not taken part in any of our training sessions after he failed to recover on time, but on a more positive note both Mawoyo and Butt’s injuries were not serious and the two have since fully recovered even taking part in a few practice games,” he said.
Mangongo has opted to remain optimistic, insisting the worst is now well behind them and everything should go their way as the series beckons.
“We are not taking anything lightly as we aim to emulate the senior team’s victory during the just-ended Twenty20 series.“We have reinforced the team’s batting by including a couple of talented and promising players and I can only do so much as the players have to stand up and play their part.
“We might have lost a couple of players, but as the norm we always have cover for every player and position. Expect a lot from guys like Tino Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami and the every rising Richard Muzhange,” he said.
Aiding Mangongo in his quest for yet another series win are players like Cephas Zhuwao, rookie batsman Kevin Kasuza and Bradley Staddon, who received a late call-up into the squad after a spate of injuries. Staddon is expected to be a direct replacement to Querl while Zhuwao and Kasuza should provide a little batting arsenal. Mangongo’s message to his players is simple: stand up, be counted and attract the selectors’ attention.
“Well, as in all A sides, the objective is to perform well and put yourself in contention for the senior side, and that is exactly what I expect from my players during this series.“We are well aware of our opponents and will not be taking them lightly, but we are on home turf and, as such, we will definitely play to win it and hopefully continue the momentum sparked by the senior team’s exploits,” he said.
The series, which begins this Friday, will see Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and South Africa’s A sides taking part in a triangular series in limited overs cricket. Both the touring sides, Sri Lanka and South Africa, are expected to arrive on Wednesday with the two clashing in Friday’s opener at Harare Sports Club.
The local selection panel was expected to meet last night after which Zimbabwe’s A side will be trimmed and announced this week.
BY TINASHE KUSEMA OF THE SUNDAY MAIL
The two have since been subjected to a rigorous fitness programme, which they appear to have passed. Ewing, despite his form, had fallen out of contention for both the senior and A sides, while Mupariwa has been sidelined by injury for the past six months.
According to Zimbabwe A’s head coach Steven Mangongo, the two have been working hard in training and could be well on their way to remarkable comebacks.
“I am happy to announce that both Ewing and Mupariwa will be eligible for selection when the squad gets trimmed for the 50-over Tri-series, given they pass fitness tests.
“Mupariwa is on his way back to his menacing best and has been bowling with great control on top of batting well during training. Ewing looks to be in good shape and believes he is ready to take up the challenges of international cricket,” said Mangongo.
The duo’s return seems to be the only piece of good news coming from the camp after the team got off to the worst possible start in their preparations for the tri-series, which begins later week.
Despite an already shaky squad, Mangongo has had to contend with the loss of a couple of seasoned players and a blight of injuries.Foster Mutizwa and all-rounder Glen Querl failed to make it into camp due to injury and contractual obligations respectively.
Skipper Tino Mawoyo and Raza Sikander Butt received minor injuries during camp while upcoming leg spinner Natsai Mushangwe was axed from the team.Mushangwe was axed from the team after he failed to pitch up for Zimbabwe’s nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the Pran RFL Twenty20 final last month, while Mutizwa failed to recover from a back injury and will miss yet another series.
“It’s unfortunate that Mushangwe’s expulsion will stand and he will not take part in the series at all. He is an extremely talented bowler and would have been an integral part of the team had he made it.
“He has since apologised and asked to at least train with the squad, a request that we have granted him.
“Mutizwa has not taken part in any of our training sessions after he failed to recover on time, but on a more positive note both Mawoyo and Butt’s injuries were not serious and the two have since fully recovered even taking part in a few practice games,” he said.
Mangongo has opted to remain optimistic, insisting the worst is now well behind them and everything should go their way as the series beckons.
“We are not taking anything lightly as we aim to emulate the senior team’s victory during the just-ended Twenty20 series.“We have reinforced the team’s batting by including a couple of talented and promising players and I can only do so much as the players have to stand up and play their part.
“We might have lost a couple of players, but as the norm we always have cover for every player and position. Expect a lot from guys like Tino Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami and the every rising Richard Muzhange,” he said.
Aiding Mangongo in his quest for yet another series win are players like Cephas Zhuwao, rookie batsman Kevin Kasuza and Bradley Staddon, who received a late call-up into the squad after a spate of injuries. Staddon is expected to be a direct replacement to Querl while Zhuwao and Kasuza should provide a little batting arsenal. Mangongo’s message to his players is simple: stand up, be counted and attract the selectors’ attention.
“Well, as in all A sides, the objective is to perform well and put yourself in contention for the senior side, and that is exactly what I expect from my players during this series.“We are well aware of our opponents and will not be taking them lightly, but we are on home turf and, as such, we will definitely play to win it and hopefully continue the momentum sparked by the senior team’s exploits,” he said.
The series, which begins this Friday, will see Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and South Africa’s A sides taking part in a triangular series in limited overs cricket. Both the touring sides, Sri Lanka and South Africa, are expected to arrive on Wednesday with the two clashing in Friday’s opener at Harare Sports Club.
The local selection panel was expected to meet last night after which Zimbabwe’s A side will be trimmed and announced this week.
BY TINASHE KUSEMA OF THE SUNDAY MAIL
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