Rajput oozes confidence as Zim seek first SA win in ages Lalchand Rajput

Bongani Ndlovu, Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE senior national cricket team coach Lalchand Rajput is bullish ahead of his team’s three-match one-day international (ODI) series against their more fancied neighbours South Africa that starts in Kimberly tomorrow.

It’s been more than 18 years since Zimbabwe recorded their only ODI win over South Africa in South Africa, a two-wicket victory achieved in Durban, but Rajput is fancying his side’s chances.

“South Africa has to be aware that this is not the Zimbabwe team of the past. This is a team that is going to give them a good run for their money,” Rajput said with confidence.

“We have come to show the world that we are a competitive team and every game is important. We are here to show we can play aggressive cricket and we are here to win.”

A glance at the records suggests Zimbabwe will again not have it easy against South Africa, as in their 17 ODI meetings on South African soil so far, the home side has enjoyed a 94 percent success rate, which includes the 3-0 series defeat Zimbabwe suffered the last time they visited for an ODI series in October 2010.

But Rajput is exuding confidence having taken his charges through an intensive two-month training camp ahead of the South Africa tour, which also includes three Twenty20 international (T20I) matches.

With senior players Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine back in the fold to join up with captain Hamilton Masakadza as well as the fit-again duo of Solomon Mire and Kyle Jarvis, Rajput’s optimism is high.

“South Africa is always a big challenge, but a challenge always gets the best out of me and the players,” said Rajput.

“The series we played when I took over was not good for us, but it was never going to be easy to face Australia and Pakistan in the T20I triangular series and then Pakistan in the ODI series when we were missing seven to eight players. But now that the players are back, it looks a balanced team, a team that wants to do well.

“Apart from Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza, most of our senior players are back and when experience and youth combine, we can get the best out of the team.”

After Sunday’s meeting in Kimberley, South Africa and Zimbabwe will move to Bloemfontein for the second match set for October 3 before concluding the ODI series three days later in Paarl.

Zimbabwe ODI Squad
Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Murray, Tendai Chatara

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