Sports Reporter
HARARE — Zimbabwe caretaker coach Walter Chawaguta is backing his team to turn around their poor form when they face Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series that gets underway on Saturday.
The two sides will meet in three one-day international games scheduled for 6, 8 and 11 January and as many Twenty20 international fixtures penciled in for 14, 16 and 18 January at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
This tour comes on the back of Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, followed by their loss last month of a limited-overs series at home to Ireland.
Speaking after taking his charges through their first practice session at the match venue in Colombo on Thursday, Chawaguta – who previously had a stint as the national side’s head coach before his latest appointment in an interim capacity – said they were ready to “turn things around”.
“It’s been pleasant to be back with the team and being involved with what’s going on, in what I believe is a turnaround, us taking a new leaf in the way things are,” he said.
“Obviously, we have come from a bad space as a team and as Zimbabwe cricket in general, with the team not playing to expectations.
“So here we have sat down, we have had chats since (last week’s regional games in) Bulawayo and everyone is ready to turn things around.”
Chawaguta said he was counting on the experience of the players who were part of Zimbabwe’s last two tours to Sri Lanka, including the captain Craig Ervine and star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, as the tourists seek to give the hosts a run for their money.
“First and foremost, we do admit things haven’t been good but generally we know we have got a bunch of players who are good enough to overturn Sri Lanka,” he said.
“. . . a few years ago when we were here we won a one-day series and some of the players are here. And even the last tour of Sri Lanka by Zimbabwe there were some good performances there as well and some of the players are here.
“So, the players understand well what the conditions are and what the expectation is and . . . we are looking at getting at the very least a win, two-one.
“We do understand Sri Lanka are a good side and we know if we are to come right everyone has to turn up and play their role and play their role well for us to come out on top. But we are ready for them.”
*Zimbabwe squad*
Ervine Craig (captain), Akram Faraz, Burl Ryan, Gumbie Joylord, Jongwe Luke, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Kamunhukamwe Tinashe, Madande Clive, Masakadza Wellington, Mufudza Tapiwa, Munyonga Tony, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton
