Chris Mpofu injured for New Zealand series

Zimbabwean pacer, Chris Mpofu has been deemed unfit for his side’s trip to New Zealand following an injury to his lower back. The national team selectors announced a 20 – men squad which will be training for their assignments Down Under, and while it includes many players making a comeback due to respective injuries, the only main absentee for the Rhodesians remain the unavailability of Mpofu, who is expected to wait on the sidelines after recurring pain to his lower back as confirmed by team physio. "Unfortunately Chris's lower back pain has recurred on the eve of the start of the camp," said national team physiotherapist Amato Machikicho. "He had an MRI scan and an opinion from a specialist sports physician. As a result Chris will no longer be a part of the camp and will miss the tour."

The 20-men squad is mainly comprised of players, who played for the national team in their last home bout against the Kiwis. The Rhodesian lost the two T20s by convincing margins but gradually improved in the 50-over format despite losing the series 2-1. Also the Only Test played between the two sides saw the Black Caps emerging victorious edging narrowly by 34 runs. Now the Zimbabwean will travel in a reversal of the same fixtures which will see them playing One Test before battling in 3 ODIs and 2 T20s. In addition they will have a three-day practice match which will commence on 21 January. The players making a return after injury include pacers Brian Vitori and Shingi Masakadza while there is added spin option in Graeme Cremer and Stuart Matsikenyeri. Skipper Brendan Taylor will not train with the camp due to his commitment with Wellington team in the HRV Cup. Head coach, Alan Butcher was disappointed to lose Mpofu through injury. "Not having Chris Mpofu is quite a blow - he has been consistent in the last couple of months," he said. "We have [Brian] Vitori back and look to compete at a level footing so are not a depleted side at all." Squad: Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Njabulo Ncube, Raymond Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller.

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Saeed Ajmal is our main weapon on slow tracks, says Misbah-ul-Haq

The skipper of Pakistan’s cricket team, Misbah-ul-Haq, was full of praise for his bowling brigade after they held their nerves to secure a narrow win over Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the five-match series, played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 247 runs for the loss of seven wickets, while the young bowling department was able to restrict a resurging Zimbabwe side to 242.

The Men in Green opted to give youngsters a chance as their frontline bowlers, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz, were not included in the squad. In their absence, Saeed Ajmal is at the centre of the Pakistani attack.

Ajmal exhibited a superb spell of spin bowling in which he hampered the flow of runs and also grabbed the wicket of Malcolm Waller. Muhammad Hafeez laid complete support to him by conceding 38 runs from his allotted overs. However, the pick of the bowlers was the right-arm pacer Aizaz Cheema, who notched three wickets for 36.

Speaking fondly about his bowlers, Misbah said, “Ajmal is our main weapon, especially on the slow tracks, but the pacers did a great job. Tanvir with the new ball, Cheema in the middle overs, and Junaid, who was disappointing at start, came back well in the final over.”

Zimbabweans bowled with great enthusiasm themselves. The African side pulled things back drastically as the Men in Green were cruising along nicely with 188 runs on board for the loss of four wickets at the end of 39^th over.

Misbah is assured that his side could have won the match comfortably had they scored 20-30 more runs. The skipper said that losing wickets at crucial stages restricted them to a modest total.

Younis Khan from Pakistan was declared Man of the Match for an innings that yielded 78 runs and lasted 72 deliveries.

Khan said, “At the time I was at the wicket, we had lost a quick wicket, suddenly me and Hafeez said we needed to bat till 20 overs at least. I was lucky I got early boundaries. It was a misjudgement to get out. The pitch was quite good, it slowed down later.”

The second ODI of the series will be played at Harare Sports Club on Sunday, September 11.

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CHIGUMBURA STEPS DOWN FROM CAPTAINCY TO FOCUS ON HIS OWN GAME

The Zimbabwean cricket team’s skipper, Elton Chigumbura, has resigned from team leadership in order to focus on his personal performance as a player.

He has taken this decision in the wake of his side’s lackluster World Cup campaign. He thinks that he can play better as a player than as a captain.

Talking to media about his decision, Chigumbura said, “I have thought long and hard about the job since my return from World Cup and I have consulted my family and friends about it.” He further elaborated, “While some still think I should have stayed on, others agreed with me that I needed to concentrate on my own game and let somebody else lead the team.”

Chigumbura took over the reins of his team in May last year. He captaincy experience remained sour as he could not extract any remarkable performance as a leader despite the fact that he had been playing well as a player.

During the just concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Team Zimbabwe failed badly. Not to speak of any upset, it could not even demonstrate any mentionable performance. Having lost some key games, they were kicked out in the first round of the tournament.

Following their World Cup demise, the Rhodesians received extensive criticism from the national media and the local cricket lovers. Not only the players but also the team management came under fire. The people demanded change in the team’s composition in order to improve its standard.

In the flood of censure, Chigumbura had been a major subject. He has decided to step down as skipper and work towards polishing his performance as a player in the best interests of the team and the nation.

The 25-year-old is an excellent all-rounder. He has inherent qualities to deliver well under all circumstances. Making his international debut in 2004, Chigumbura soon proved himself a brilliant all-rounder.

Chigumbura has played 6 Tests, 128 ODIs and 14 T20s. His averages in all formats are very impressive.

Now, the all-rounder is eager to relive his past glory. Shunning the responsibilities of leadership, he will have the time and opportunities to flourish as a reliable and consistent player.

Right now, there are two options with the Zimbabwean cricket board to choose a new leader from.

One is batsman Hamilton Masakadza and the other is Brendan Taylor, the former seems to be the more potential candidate in terms of replacing Chigumbura.

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ZIMBABWE'S ELTON CHIGUMBURA RESIGNS FROM CAPTAINCY

Zimbabwe captain, Elton Chigumbura, has resigned from his post in order to focus his own form as a batsman.

While talking to the media, the Rhodesian skipper said, “Chigumbura told local newspaper Newsday on Friday that "I have thought long and hard about the job since my return from the World Cup and I have consulted my family and friends about it.”

Chigumbura is of the view that captaincy is a job which requires concentration and responsibility. He said that he could not focus on his batting while leading the side, which is affecting his performances in the game.

The 25-year-old Rhodesian all-rounder became Zimbabwe’s skipper in May 2010, in place of Prosper Utseya. He said that he enjoyed leading the team but his performance is getting weaker with every game, due to the pressure of captaincy.

He expressed that he had to face massive criticism for the team’s weak performance in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011. The disappointing performance by the Kenyan team in the tournament caused him serious mental pressure and he decided to resign from the captaincy.

Chigumbura said that his decision has disappointed a few team members, as they think that he should continue with the leadership. However, he added that the team has agreed with his decision of resigning, as they know that it is very hard to concentrate on the game, when one is leading the entire team.

He said, “While some still think I should have stayed on, others agreed with me that I needed to concentrate on my own game and let somebody else lead the team.”

According to reports, Zimbabwe’s opener, Hamilton Masakadza or Brendan Taylor are considered to replace Chigumbura for the captaincy position.

Elton Chigumbura is one of the best all-rounder in the Zimbabwe cricket team. He started his International cricket career in 2004 against Sri Lanka at Bulawayo. In his 128 One Day Internationals, he has scored 2557 runs at an average of 23.89. The right-hander has so far struck 205 fours and 75 sixes. He has scored 13 half centuries, in 128 ODI matches.

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MUMBAI INDIANS GREET RAY PRICE AS TARE, DAVY AND AMBATI COMPETE FOR KEEPING POSITION

Mumbai Indians have greeted the services of Zimbabwe Spinner Ray Price, who will be joining them before their match against the Deccan Chargers on Sunday, 24 April, 2011.

The left-arm spinner has replaced the Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques, who continues to recover from surgery for an adductor muscle injury.

Ray will remain with the top franchise on the points table until the end of IPL ongoing edition.

Ray price is at the second position on ICC’s One Day Internationals (ODI) bowling rankings right now. Pricewas the best bowler amongst the Zimbabwe bowlers with an average of 18.77 and economy rate of 3.44.

Price shared that at the start of his International career, his aim was to finish at top of the rankings, however, being ranked number two in the world is exceptional and he will be eyeing the number one position.

In the mean time, Rohit Sharma is resolute in using the IPL to re-emerge in the international cricket.

The endowed right handed Indian batsman, who missed out on a World Cup berth earlier in the year, splintered a blistering 87 against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday as the hosts powered past the defending champions at the Wankhede Stadium and is looking forward to extend his affluent run of form against the Deccan Chargers.

"I know I missed out on the World Cup, but it's okay because such things happen. I just need to keep my focus. I must not lose heart and whenever I get the opportunity, just do my best," said Sharma, who last played for India in January.

He added that he has been batting well. There has been pressure and he has done well. He is happy to score some runs.

Aditya Tare meanwhile, has not played any IPL match yet since Mumbai keep switching between Davy Jacobsand Ambati Rayudu as their starting wicket-keeper batsman.

Tare is hopeful about a good performance if he gets a chance to play against the chargers on Sunday.

Whilst South African star Jacobs kept the wicket in Mumbai’s first three matches this season, Indian rookie Rayudu has done so in the fourth and fifth games.

"It's always a challenge. There is healthy competition between me, Davy and Ambati. I am doing my very best in the training sessions. So, let us see how it goes," said Tare.

"Batting comes naturally to me. I love to play attacking shots. Hopefully, I can spend more time in the middle, plan my innings well and try and get runs for my side on a consistent basis."

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Michael Vaughan fears hectic schedule might make ECB lose coach Andy Flower

Former England captain Michael Vaughan fears that the extremely hectic international schedule may see England losing their coach, Andy Flower.
Vaughan himself retired from cricket after he used to remain away from home for long due to cricketing assignments.
England coach, Andy Flower, has also voiced similar concerns after they had to spend over three months Down Under.
Later many of the players headed to the Subcontinent for the ICC World Cup 2011. However, some of them returned home, as they had injuries and the rest of the team lost their momentum and returned back after their exit from the quarter-final of the tournament.
Flower has done wonders for the current England side. He helped them win two consecutive Ashes series, which included the 2010-11 one in Australia after 24 years. Flower also helped England break their ICC event jinx as he won the ICC Twenty20 championship with the side.
Former English skipper, Vaughan praised Flower for his non-stop efforts for the betterment of the team. He is of the view that Flower should be given rest and time as he could not spend time with his family due to the tight schedule of the England team.
He said that the coach of the team also works as hard as the players do, so he added that he is worried about Flower as he could not get time to rest.
Vaughan also said that it was important for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to keep Andy Flower fresh because he has been doing a great job with the team. He said that ECB could not afford to lose him to a hectic international schedule with the England team.
Commentator Vaughan also talked about Kevin Pietersen, who has been ruled out from the team due to hernia concerns. He said that the board should also give him one chance to return to his prolific form.
He stated, “He’s an amazing talent, but it’s clear that somewhere in the last year something hasn’t been right mentally with him – and he’s got some kind of distraction”.

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