Zimbabwe are a much confident side now, says assistant coach Stephen Mangongo – Cricket News Update
The assistant coach of Zimbabwe cricket team, Stephen Mangongo, is excited about his side’s T20 series against South Africa in June, and is looking forward to arrange a trip to the sub-continent before the World T20 Championship in September this year.
The Zimbabwe Assistant coach said that they have been a bit unlucky in their recent series, however, he said that they have made some positive changes in their squad and are confident of making a turn around when they play South Africa during a whirlwind
tour of five T20 Internationals.
"There have been some positive changes in the batting front that includes Brendan Taylor, Vusi (Sibanda) and Hamilton Masakadza. The guys have more self belief now than in the previous tours,” said Stephen Mangongo while talking to the media reporters.
"We are on a rebuilding phase and playing them just before the World Cup is great for us. We are taking these games seriously,” he added further.
Alan Butcher's second-in-command said that in the previous series the players had been short on confidence but now the morale of the side is quite high and they are pretty confident that they can do it. Mangongo hoped this approach will help the players
deliver to their full potential.
Before the quick tour of South Africa, the minnows will play Bangladesh and South Africa at home in a triangular T20 series, starting at Harare on June 18.
Mangongo also revealed that the Zimbabwe Cricket is looking forward to add another series against a sub-continent team in the latter’s backyard in August this year, to get their players acclimatized with the subcontinent conditions ahead of the esteemed
tournament, to be hosted by Sri Lanka in September 2012.
"I don't think it is enough preparation for the World Cup though, everything permitting it will be ideal to have another tour in August especially in the Asia sub continent so that the team gets to acclimatise before the big show," said the Zimbabwe
assistant coach.
A total of 12 teams, divided into four groups, will compete in the 2012 ICC World T20 Championship. Zimbabwe has been drafted into Group C, which also includes hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa.