Zim players thrilled with Whatmore impact

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
February 24, 2015

Zimbabwe batsman Hamilton Masakadza has been delighted with the way new coach Dav Whatmore has transformed the side, both on and off the field, and feels confident his side can do good things at the World Cup.

Zimbabwe did well against South Africa despite losing the first game, before recording a good win against the UAE. They must no face the West Indies on Tuesday, and Hamilton, who made 80 against the Proteas, is pleased with the preparations.

Masakadza said: "The coach has had a very big impact for us. He's changed a couple of things and he's really got the guys going in a certain direction, and that's been working really well for us.

"I think the atmosphere within the team has been really good now. The guys are really working hard and the guys are very focused.

"The guys are really looking forward to this World Cup, and I think even beyond this World Cup, we're expecting a lot of good things to happen, because we've had a few problems in the past with administration and things like that.

"I think that's also getting better. Guys are a little bit more focused on the actual cricket and giving the cricket side a little bit more of what they need.

"I think looking forward and going ahead, I think things are looking up."

Of the fixture against the Windies, Masakadza said they had to avoid losing early wickets, but that Whatmore had already given them some valuable insights.

He added: "The coach got quite a bit of information yesterday (Sunday) when we got here, so we basically have a really good idea what it's going to be like out there," the batsman said.

"I think it's going to be really important to start off well, both with our batting and our bowling, because I think their top order is very dangerous.

"We mustn't let them get away from us too quickly, and similarly, the batting, Pakistan were four down early (against the West Indies on Saturday), and you can't really recover from a position like that.

"We just have to make sure that we start early, both with bat and with ball."