Tags:
Journalism of Courage
PORT-of-SPAIN (TRINIDAD), March 15: Zimbabwe is putting its confidence in rookie leg-spinner Brian Murphy when it faces the West Indies for the first cricket Test of a two-month Caribbean tour that begins at the Queens Park Oval on Thursday.
Zimbabwe has lost the services of its two premier leg-spinners over the last 12 months. Adam Huckle’s untimely retirement was followed closely by a shoulder injury to Paul Strang that affected his form and is threatening his career.
He will shoulder the heavy responsibility of sole spinnerin a Zimbabwe bowling attack spearheaded by vice-captain Heath Streak, Henry Olonga and left-armer Brian Strang.
The 31-year-old Flower is returning from a blow to the ear when he ducked into a bouncer from Streak in the nets in Greneda. He will be ready to continue his run of playing in every Zimbabwe Test, which he shares with former skipper and fellow left-hander Alistair Campbell.
Campbell has been in excellent form since landing in the Caribbean, following an unbeaten 116 in the tour opener in Greneda with unbeaten 158 in the second match at Pointe-A-Pierre in South Trinidad.
“Our preparation has been good,” Flower said. “The batsmen spent a lot of time in the middle and the bowlers have had good sessions on pretty good batting wickets… We’re ready for the Test.”
New West Indies skipper Jimmy Adams is also happy with his team’s lead-up to the two-Test series, particularly with the recently concluded 10-day camp attended by a 19-member squad in Jamaica.
“It was a very successful exercise,” the 32-year-old Jamaican said. “The work ethic while we were there was very high and I think it has gone a long way in getting us in the right frame of mind for this series.”
Adams will be without the services of premier batsman Brian Lara, who surprised the team by resigning as captain last month to take a self-imposed break from the game.
Adams admits the loss of the classy left-hander is a big blow, but said it was an opportunity for others.
“All of us involved in West Indies cricket were very disappointed at Brian not being involved in our cricket this season,” Adams said. “Having said that …. we also firmly believe that we have the talent available to get the job done in this series.”
The teams:
West Indies (from): Jimmy Adams, Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Franklyn Rose, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Reon King, Wavell Hinds, Nehemiah Perry.
Zimbabwe (from): Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Trevor Gripper, Stuart Carlisle, Alister Campbell, Murry Goodwin, Neil Johnson, Heath Streak, Brian Murphy, Henry Olonga, Brian Strang, Mluleki Nkala, Andy Blignaut, Craig Wishart, Pom Mbangwa.
Umpires: George Sharp (England), Steve Bucknor (West Indies).
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).
