Skipper Brendan Taylor questioned Zimbabwe's mental strength, after falling to a seven-wicket loss - and insurmountable three-nil series deficit - against India in Sunday's third ODI at the Harare Sports Club. All out for a mere 183 in 46 overs, with batsman Sean Williams the lone highlight in an otherwise dismal effort, the hosts then copped plenty of expense at the hands of half-centurion Virat Kohli.
Kohli's unbeaten 68, coupled with opener Shikhar Dhawan's 35 and middle-order newcomer Ambati Rayudu's 33, carried the Indians to a triumphant 187 for three - with all of 87 deliveries to spare. "It's getting quite frustrating now. We put in a lot of effort leading up to the series but the results are not showing. It is getting a little irritating. Mindset could be an issue," conceded Taylor.
"I can't put my finger on it. The guys have to have a look at the mirror and toughen up mentally. We'll take at least one win in the series. If we get it right, we believe we can win."
Veteran spinner Ray Price, meanwhile, has announced his retirement from international cricket. Price was named in the squad for the the five-match series, but will not travel to Bulawayo for the final two fixtures. The 37-year-old Price played 102 ODIs, 22 Tests and 16 Twenty20 Internationals between December 1999 and March 2013, securing 193 wickets across all three formats.
"Price has called it a day. If he was going to play it was going to be here in Harare. We're going to miss his experience, but in saying that it does give our young spinners who are coming through a great opportunity," concluded Taylor.
"He is a hell of a competitor. He's a guy who plays with his heart on his sleeve. He leaves nothing out on the field, he'll give you everything and he's a real team man. Unfortunately age is not in his side anymore and he's moving on with his family."
The fourth - and penultimate ODI - will get underway at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
First published by cricket365.com
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