Zim Coach Backs Shumba To Bounce Back In Queens Decider
ZIMBABWE bowling consultant Quinton Friend has rallied behind Milton Shumba ahead of Sunday’s T20I series decider against Bangladesh at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, insisting the youngster still belongs at international level despite a tough day in the field.
Zimbabwe slipped to a 34-run defeat in the second T20I to level the series 1-1, with five dropped catches before the first wicket falling. Shumba was involved in several of those misses.
“Where do you often see one player being in a position to drop so many catches in one game and probably the same batter?” Friend said.
“But at the end of the day, you’ve got to look back at how your training has gone. Our training has gone superbly well. We’re putting in the time, the effort, the practise to be able to perfect that. It’s not about you dropping catches on purpose, but we have to be better. We have to be better as a group.”
Friend said fielding would be key if Zimbabwe are to win the series tomorrow.
“When it comes to fielding, that’s the make or break when you’re wanting to win T20 internationals. Any international match, you’ve got to be at your best. We did superbly well in Game 1 in the field. We took some really good high catches in tough conditions with a bit of wind. But today, it totally didn’t go our way from that perspective.”
Rather than dwell on the errors, Friend urged the team to keep Shumba confident.
“I don’t think you have to try and keep everyone positive. You’ve got to keep people in a positive space. It’s important that players feel that they belong at this level. And there’s no reason why he needs to feel that he’s not required to be at this level. Because he is. He’s earned the right to be here. And we’ve got to make sure that we keep them positive come Game 3.”
On the match itself, Friend said Zimbabwe let a strong start slip but praised the fightback with the ball.
“If we held on to those catches, it was probably a 34-3 power play. And that’s how quickly the game changes. This bowling attack has been phenomenal in all three series. This is the first time that they’ve been put under serious pressure.”
With the series on the line at Queens, Friend is backing a response.
“It’s been a wonderful time so far with Zim. We’ve got one more game to go. It’s important that we pitch up on Sunday and give it our absolute everything. It’s 1-1. We’ve got to come out and play our best cricket and try and win the series 2-1.”
Play starts at 12:30pm tomorrow.
