Zimbabwe is a dangerous side, warns Duncan Fletcher

Charlie Austin

September 17, 2002

England coach Duncan Fletcher warned his inexperienced team to be on guard against a hard-working Zimbabwean unit that is better acclimatised to Sri Lanka conditions.

Zimbabwe, who toured Sri Lanka in January, lost their opening game to India but pushed Sourav Ganguly's side right to the wire as Andy Flower scored a remarkable career best 145.

"They are a very dangerous side with players like Andy Flower in the side and you can never under-estimate them," said Fletcher, speaking after the team's final training session at Premadasa Stadium.

England captain Nasser Hussain has already complained of exhaustion, but Fletcher was more concerned about Sri Lankan conditions.

"The main condition you have got to worry about is the heat," he said. "The wickets will be slower than in England and you've got to get the judgment right. They (Zimbabwe) have played on this wicket already, so they have a slight advantage going into the match."

England will be go into the match without several key players, including talismanic fast bowler Darren Gough, all-rounders Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood and Craig White, as well as in-form opener Michael Vaughan.

"We probably have one of the most inexperienced England sides I have got on the field," admitted Fletcher.

Their absence will provide an opportunity for Ronnie Irani and Ian Blackwell, the big-hitting uncapped Somerset batsman who has come in for Flintoff.

Irani, who scored his first hundred in English colours yesterday against Bangladesh, could play a key role batting in the middle-order and then bowling his potentially effective medium pace on the slow-paced Premadasa pitch.

The 24-year-old Blackwell looks set to make his international debut after lashing a 49-ball 56 and then taking three for 21 bowling slow left-arm spin.

England are relieved that veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart has recovered from a stomach ailment. Had he been unavailable Marcus Trescothick might have been forced to wear the gloves despite having only just recovered from a serious hand injury.

"He's not 100 percent fine, but a lot better now," said Fletcher after Stewart had batted in the nets.

Zimbabwe were put through a rigorous three-hour practice in unbearable humidity during the afternoon and both captain and coach were looking forward confidently to the game.

"You can win one game and still go through. Each team has the ability to beat each other," Heath Streak told journalists. "If we can pull off a win, it becomes a mini-final in the last match between England and India."

Coach Geoff Marsh said: "We are going into the game with confidence. We have had a good look at their players and believe that if we play well then we have a good chance of winning it.

"It could all go down to run rate in this group and we are still in with a chance of qualifying. The guys know this is an important game and are looking forward to it.

"We have got to bowl really well to the England openers. They are two very good players. If we can hold those two and apply some pressure by bowling a good line and length then I am confident that our batters can get out there and get the runs."

England have an excellent record against the Zimbabweans in recent times having beaten them in their last eight games including a 5-0 whitewash in Africa late last year.

But for Marsh this is an ideal opportunity to turnaround that losing run: "We lost to England 5-0 last year but had a good look at the players and are looking forward to rebounding as we have a tour there next winter."

England

Marcus Trescothick, Nick Knight, Nasser Hussain (capt), Owais Shah, Alec Stewart (wk), Rikki Clarke, Ian Blackwell, Ronnie Irani, Jeremy Snape, Dominic Cork, Ashley Giles, Andy Caddick, James Kirtley, Matthew Hoggard.

Zimbabwe

Alistair Campbell, Dion Ebrahim, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Stuart Carlisle, Douglas Marillier, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (capt), Sean Ervine, Travis Friend, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Douglas Hondo, Pommie Mbangwa, Henry Olonga.

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