Chigumbura: Our batsmen need to focus

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Cricket365
August 7, 2013

Zimbabwe batsman Elton Chigumbura lamented his side's loss in the fourth ODI against India, saying it had nothing to do with the pitch but rather a lack of determination from the home batsmen.

Zimbabwe batted first and made 144 all out, with Chigumbura scoring 50 not out, his second half ton in vain of the series. India then chased that down with one wicket lost, with 20 overs to spare, as Rohit Sharma (64) and Suresh Raina (65) did the job.

Chigumbura said afterwards: "[India] always seem to come at a good time, when I'm playing well. This is the second time I've played against them, and mostly that has been on wickets that are good to bat on."

The batsman reiterated that the track was a good one, and said players needed to be smarter about how they batted, especially if they came in at a time that didn't match their positions in the order.

He added: "It was a good wicket to bat on. We all know when we play at Queens, it's always a batter's wicket and if you apply yourself then you can make runs. [A lack of application] been the problem for the last three games.

"Losing early wickets, it's hard to come back, especially if you then keep losing wickets. Some of the batters are now coming in at different times that they are not used to. If we can have no early wickets, then the rest of the batters will end up batting in their natural position.

"The guys are working hard, but I think it's just a matter of being smart when we start our innings, especially our first ten overs when we're losing two to three early wickets.

"Besides working hard, I think the guys just need to maybe take a little bit of time at the wicket. It all comes together when you stay out there."

The hosts spent two months together before this series, training in the hopes of taking at least one match off the number one ODI side. Chigumbura says that while it hasn't paid off now, if might against Pakistan.

He said: "We are all trying to improve in every game, but it's unfortunate on this tour we haven't done so. But if you look at our past history, playing at home we have done well.

"It's just one of those tours, where things are not coming together on the batting side. We just need to finish well, and hopefully when Pakistan come our batting will gel."