Zimbabwe: Cricket Mentor Confident

ZIMBABWE cricket coach Alan Butcher yesterday maintained his composure as the team left for the West Indies to take part in the World Twenty20 tournament that gets underway in just over two weeks' time.

Butcher, who will be in charge of the team for the first time in the Caribbean, said the underdog tag they carry into the tournament would help take off much of the pressure from the players when they engage New Zealand and Sri-Lanka in the group stages.

Speaking before the team's departure yesterday, the 56-year old Englishman could not rule out Zimbabwe causing an upset against the two teams who on paper appear clear favourites to qualify to the Super Eight from the group.

"Obviously we are going to be second favourites in all the games, but we will try to play as best as we possibly can and if they give away small chances then we will make full use of those opportunities.

"Twenty20 cricket is a quick game. The game moves so fast that everybody have to think on their feet. Every ball can bring a change to the way the game is going and it puts everyone involved under pressure. It can be anybody's game," he said.

Zimbabwe will play Sri Lanka in their first match on May 3 and New Zealand the next day.

Butcher, however, lamented the team's failure to have a training camp before their departure, but still believed they could have sufficient time to work on the strategies and game plan.

"I cannot be 100 percent satisfied with the preparations since I did not have time with the players because of commitments in the domestic competitions.

"The good thing nonetheless, is that they have been playing lots of cricket at least.

"I had one on one discussions with the players to find out from them how best we can help develop each one individually.

"I also had the opportunity to watch some of them playing for their franchises and now it's time to translate all the talk about talents and all into excellent performances.

"There is a reasonable amount of time between now and the start of the tournament to put our strategies and game plans together. They know what is expected from them and we will try to get the best out of the players available to us," he said.

Butcher will be in charge of the team for the first time when they play the West Indies A in a four-day warm up match starting this Friday.

He will be assisted by Steve Mangongo who has just led Mountaineers through a successful season winning the Stanbic Bank Twenty20 tournament in February and the Faithwear-Metbank One-Day competition over the weekend. The Mountaineers rode on the brilliance of batsman Hamilton Masakadza whose form will be key for Zimbabwe's success in the West Indies.

Bowlers' coach Heath Streak completes the coaching department.

Zimbabwe will also play the West Indies A in two Twenty20 matches next week as part of their final preparations ahead of the tournament.

Squad:

P Utseya (capt), B Taylor, C Coventry, A Blignaut, H Masakadza, T Taibu (wk), G Lamb, E Chigumbura, V Sibanda, R Price, G Cremer, C Chibhabha, C Mpofu, T Maruma, C Ervine