da brdice： It might be thought that a trip to Zimbabwe is exactly what the beleagueredEngland one-day squad needs to get back to winning ways
Ralph Dellor26-Sep-2001
Harare Sports Club
Photo © ECC
It might be thought that a trip to Zimbabwe is exactly what the beleagueredEngland one-day squad needs to get back to winning ways. They have notenjoyed a very successful time of late, finding themselves at what they hopewill be the end of an eleven-match losing run. However, when you takeEngland’s record against Zimbabwe into account, they might not be able tojustify any inherent optimism.The overall record, going back to 1991/2 at a time when Zimbabwe had yet toattain Test status, is played 16, won 9, lost 7. However, that tally isboosted by three wins in the NatWest Series in England in the summer of2000. Outside England, the record tilts six-five in favour of Zimbabwe.That includes the infamous first meeting in Albury in the 1991/92 World Cupin Australia when, in one of the great upsets in the limited-overs game,minnows Zimbabwe managed to overcome the eventual finalists by 9 runs. Thepattern was to be repeated for some time, as in the first six meetingsbetween the sides going through until 1996/97, England won only won match.That was at Brisbane in 1994/95 in the Benson and Hedges World Series event.Even when it comes to margins of victory, Zimbabwe hold the statisticalupper hand. To their credit they have wins by 131 runs in Harare in 1996/97and by 104 runs in Cape Town three years later. England’s biggest margin ofvictory is 85 runs on the last occasion the teams met in Harare a couple ofwinters ago.That 1996/97 series marked one of the worst tours England have ever had. Notonly did they lose the one-day series three-nil, but they could only drawthe Test series when neither side could force a win. England might have comeclosest to achieving a result, but their hosts were not over-impressed withthe reaction of coach David Lloyd. His “we flippin’ murdered ’em” commentmust go down as one of the most insensitive of all time and did nothing toendear an already discredited touring party to the locals.So why is it going to be different for England this time around? The fact isthat in recent times they have enjoyed much the better of the exchanges.Only one defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the last eight meetings sayssomething about the way the balance of power has shifted.Despite the run of poor form since meeting Zimababwe last time, England willbe expecting to maintain their sequence against the host country. There areserious problems facing Zimbabwe at home, to the extent that a number ofM.P.s have suggested that the tour should not go ahead. It nearly did not.It was only lengthy negotiations between the ECB and ZCU that securedaccreditation for all members of the British media party that allowed thetour to go ahead.On the field, too, Zimbabwe have had problems. They were thrashed by SouthAfrica in the first ODI last weekend, and despite the enduring excellence ofAndy Flower’s batting and other useful performers in the Zimbabwean line-up,there is not the same threat as there was. Take out top performers likeMurray Goodwin and Neil Johnson, both of whom have retired frominternational cricket, and the lack of depth in the game becomes all tooevident. Having said that, there are few occasions on which any Zimbabweanteam has not given of its all, and the sight of the three lions of Englanddoes seem to enliven them.England are trying to realign their strategy and team composition when timeto do so before the 2003 World Cup is running out. There are new faces inthe English squad, familiar faces, and recalled faces. What England aretrying to do is find a balance that will allow them to compete with the bestin the world. They singularly failed to do so last summer.Certainly this team looks sharper in the field than some put out recently.If the standards can be maintained, if runs can be scored at a decent rateand if the bowlers can find a line and length that does not allow oppositionbatsmen free hits every over, there is no reason why England should not makedefinite progress towards achieving their aim.It says something for the attitude of all concerned that the need for actionwas appreciated. It is one thing to bemoan poor performances but quiteanother to do something about reversing the situation. It would have beenall too easy to point to a busy winter involving tours to India and NewZealand and concentrate on an improving Test record. That has not happened,and even if the likes of Australia, South Africa and Pakistan are way out infront of England in the race for World Cup honours. England have not givenup yet. The tortoise might yet give the hares a run for their money.