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The moment of truth for Zimbabwe

The moment of truth for Zimbabwe's new politically-acceptable team finally arrived

Wisden Cricinfo staff
20-Apr-2004
Toss Sri Lanka
Live scorecard
The moment of truth for Zimbabwe's new politically-acceptable team finally arrived. On a good pitch, Marvan Atapattu won the toss for Sri Lanka and amazed everybody by putting Zimbabwe in to bat. "Early lunch," was the immediate comment throughout the pressbox. One thought the Sri Lankans would have appreciated some valued team batting practice which they may well not get chasing.
At the start of the match the crowd was minute, even for a weekday morning in Zimbabwe, and those who did attend were greeted by a notice banning banners of any kind. There was a strong police presence, so the political authorities were clearly taking no chances.
The attention was all on the Zimbabwe side, led by Tatenda Taibu, still only 20. The final XI included Dion Ebrahim (scarcely a success at the one-day game), Douglas Hondo and Mluleki Nkala as players of experience, and little else. At least six or seven of the `rebel' players would have been included had Zimbabwe cricket's new political bosses thought them acceptable.
Brendon Taylor, Elton Chigumbura and Tinashe Panyangara, all Under-19 players, made full international debuts, while offspinner Prosper Utseya was another awarded his first cap. None of the other players have any significant records at international level, and there no old hands available on the field to give advice and steady the ship when necessary.
Everything points to an overwhelming Sri Lankan victory. There may be a couple of minor factors in Zimbabwe's favour this time round: firstly, Sri Lanka have had only three days to acclimatise and may also find it difficult to motivate themselves against what is virtually a Zimbabwe third eleven ... if that, given that since 2000 more than 30 senior players have now been lost to Zimbabwe cricket prematurely. Sri Lanka also play opposition they know little about.
Secondly, it is just possible that, containing so many players with no baggage of regular defeats at international level, Zimbabwe might play above themselves and run on pure adrenaline. But that rarely lasts long before reality sets in. If Sri Lanka know little of them, they too know little of Sri Lanka - the Zimbabwe side have a mere 15 ODI appearances against Sri Lanka to their names. Zimbabwe do have a long batting line-up, with even Utseya, the probable No. 11, well capable of scoring fifties at Logan Cup level. But the thought of all that inexperience facing up to Muralitharan does not inspire confidence.
Taibu himself may be required as much, if not more, as a bowler than a wicketkeeper, with his skiddy medium-pacers sometimes surprising the unwary. He may well decide to try them if, or when, things get desperate, handing the gloves over to Alester Maregwede. Taylor, the only white in the team, can also keep wicket.
Zimbabwe Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Dion Ebrahim, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Alester Maregwede, Tatenda Taibu (capt, wk), Elton Chigumbura, Mluleki Nkala, Douglas Hondo, Tinashe Panyangara, Prosper Utseya.
Sri Lanka Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvin Atapattu (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Upal Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara.