Chigumbura: Other players have to step up
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has played down the absence of Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza from their squad for the limited -overs tour to Bangladesh, saying the other players will step up to replace the duo.
Taylor retired from international cricket earlier this year to play county cricket in England while Masakadza has been dropped due to poor form.
It will be the first time since 2006 that the African team will take on the Tigers without one the pair being in the side, and they always raised their performances.
Chigumbura said: "Those guys played a big part in Zimbabwe cricket. It is unfortunate that they are not with us on this tour.
"At the same time, it is a positive for the guys who are here to replace them. The guys here are best to replace them."
The 29 year-old Chigumbura also praised their coach, Dav Whatmore, for the work he has done with the side, saying the former Bangladesh mentor will be crucial in helping the side come out on top.
Whatmore took the Zimbabwe coaching reins just before the World Cup in February this year.
Chigumbura continued: "Whatmore has done a lot of things to us. He has been here before and coached some of the [Bangladesh] guys who are playing now. He has prepared us before coming here.
"Some of our players also have played club cricket here. It is important to use that information as a team to make sure we come out on top."
The first of three ODIs takes place in Mirpur on Saturday while the teams will also play two T20s.
Latest
-
NewsZak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
NewsIndia recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
NewsKeith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
NewsCraig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
NewsThree positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
NewsZak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
NewsMark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
NewsMcCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
NewsEffects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
NewsBen Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.