OnSport Reporter
It was not the kind of reintroduction to playing with the big boys that many had anticipated for the Zimbabwe men’s senior cricket team, especially given the 22-year period since they last toured England. For Ben Stokes and his team, it was a stroll in the park. However, for Craig Ervine and his players, it was a testing period under the mild Nottingham sun.
After sharing the series with the Bangladesh cricket team in their home turf – the same team that had previously turned the Chevrons into punching bags – many were looking forward to the Chevrons’ tour of England.
The tour generated significant interest in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Despite the thorough bashing that saw them lose by an innings and 45-runs, the Chevrons walked out of Trent Bridge with a badge of honour and pride.
On the field, 21-year old opener Brian Bennett scored an exhilarating century, a feat envied by many batsmen worldwide. To ice the cake, Bennett scored his century from 97 deliveries, replicating the bazball-style fiesta synonymous with England.
Aside from Bennett’s heroics, veteran Williams fell 12 runs short of a well-deserved century in the second innings. Sikandar Raza fought hard, and Ben Curran showed glimpses of the defiance necessary for opening in a Test match.
Blessing Muzarabani cemented his role as a key tormentor in the Chevrons’ bowling unit, claiming the scalps of legendary Joe Root, hard-hitting Ben Stokes, and industrious Harry Brook.
The achievements of Muzarabani and Bennett are worth celebrating for the Chevrons.
Overall, as a team, the Chevrons dragged out the inevitable defeat until the fourth day.
Curran’s resilience prolonged the game, even though Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on on Day 2.
The Chevrons perhaps lost the match on the first day, but they fought valiantly for the remainder of the days. In the terraces, the Chevron loyalists sang and cheered for the team despite the losing cause.
They refused to give up, even when a humiliating defeat seemed imminent. The Zimbabwean fans replicated the Barmy Army, and even the England fans, affectionately known as the Three Lions, admitted the Chevron fans were a marvel to watch.
The Zimbabwe tour to England was not all gloom and doom; there were several minor achievements that need to be recognised by Zimbabwe Cricket.
The performance by the players and the support from the fans proved that Zimbabwe remains a vital cog in world cricket.
The Chevrons must build on the Trent Bridge performance when they take on South Africa and New Zealand. The cricket calendar is set to heat up with a series of thrilling matches. The action begins with a two-match Test series against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, scheduled for 28 June to 2 July and 6-10 July. This will be the first time these two teams have clashed in the longest format since 2017.
Following the Test series, Zimbabwe will host a tri-nation T20I tournament featuring South Africa and New Zealand. The tournament kicks off on 14 July with Zimbabwe facing South Africa, and the group stage matches will conclude on 24 July. The top two teams will contest the final on 26 July.
After the T20I series, New Zealand will stay in Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club, scheduled for 30 July to 3 August and 7-11 August. This series will mark the first Test matches between these two teams since 2016.
Glimmer of Hope Despite Innings Defeat for the Chevrons
