Zimbabwe Cricket Online volume 4, issue 26, 14 March 2003

'The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.' Not so with the Zimbabwe cricket team. The flesh may not look too good compared to the top Test-playing countries, but it was the lack of spirit in the match against Kenya that was the most disappointing and worrying aspect.

CONTENTS:

• Zimbabwe v New Zealand: scorecard and review
• Zimbabwe v Kenya: scorecard and review
• Gary Brent: updated biography and first-class career record
• Letters

  When Zimbabwe first played in South Africa in their triangular tournament six years ago, the Zimbabweans quickly attracted fans all over that country for the way they obviously enjoyed their cricket. There was widespread disappointment when they narrowly failed to qualify for the finals to India. They played hard and enjoyed it. But today that enjoyment has gone.

  External factors, such as the present state of the country and the imminent defection of Andy Flower, have no doubt had their effect. There may well be pressures from other quarters, but nothing that would compare with that upon the Indians, whose failure might well result in physical violence to themselves, their property and families.

  It is sad for Zimbabwe cricket that our players are unable, once they get on to the field, to shut out all distractions and live out the thrill of playing among the top six cricket countries of the world, and enjoy the experience, the challenge of the World Cup. But traditionally our players have found it difficult to put aside their inferiority complex when playing supposedly stronger teams, and this time it even seemed to enter their match against Kenya.

  They just have to find some way of overcoming the pressure, and in the past the best answer has been a wholehearted enjoyment of the game. But this seems beyond them at present. Thrying too hard has led to a loss of joy and a loss of power. Until they regain it, I cannot see much improvemnet in the state of Zimbabwe cricket.

  I have developed this further in my match review, included in this issue. I do not have the priviledge of travelling to South Africa with the team, but I have followed every ball on television, and the contrast in approach between the Zimbabwe and Kenyan players could scarecely have been greater. The exuberant deservedly beat the careworn.

  We hope for better against Sri Lanka, mainly because the pressure will be off. Zimbabwe cricket does have the ability to pick itself up again, but until the zest for the game returns, utilitarian performances and `acceptable' margins of defeat will be the fare.

  Zimbabwe

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