Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
Cricket analysts believe a change of mindset can help the Chevrons to play better in test cricket.
Zimbabwe’s latest defeat to Ireland continued a downward spiral that has been going on for years now.
The defeat to Ireland was the 10th in a row, after last winning a test match three years ago.
The loss also means that in the last 50 tests, Zimbabwe has only managed to win five.
Analysts believe Zimbabwe’s problems are more mental than technical.
“Even without, Ervine, Raza and Williams we should be beating Ireland any day, it’s our mental approach to the game that is wrong. I believe our players are playing way too many shorts for a test match as compared to leaving balls and choosing the ones to play. We saw what Madhevere did in the second innings he was patient and he got the reward, we are playing test cricket in limited overs mode and we are rushing,” said cricket analyst, Godwin Mamhiyo.
“There are many problems but the biggest for me is that Zimbabwe is not mentally and psychologically strong many times they have sides on the ropes and they let the side not only recover but go on to beat Zimbabwe, I think our batsman don’t understand what it is to build a long innings, it’s see the ball hit the ball there is not thought process in constructing an innings,” said cricket expert, Dean du Plessis.
Interestingly for Zimbabwe, more tests are coming this year against England, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
However, the Chevrons will need to immediately dust themselves up and tackle Ireland in three One Day Internationals and three T20s set for Harare Sports Club, beginning this Friday.
