By John Ward

The script was quite predictable - four straight losses to Zimbabwe in Sharjah. The way the team was playing, it was clear that any victory would probably only come as the result of either a monumental individual performance by a Zimbabwean or a suicidal team performance by the opposition. Neither happened, so we got rolled.

But the team did have its moments. The bowling, on the whole, was better than it had been against South Africa or England, and this was the main improvement. The batting was again just not up to the task. One of the commentators mentioned how the fielding was patchy, in contrast to the proud reputation Zimbabwe had in the past. This has been a problem for some time, and perhaps it is in this area that rehabilitation of the national side should start. [More]

INTERVIEW

Trevor Penney - perpetual summer

Zimbabwean and Warwickshire player Trevor Penney has gone many years without having to endure a winter in either England or Zimbabwe. Unlike Graeme Hick, he continues to play an active role in assisting the country where he learned his cricket. He talks to John Ward about his role in the current Zimbabwean season.

"We've just got to go there [to Fochville, South Africa, to play North West] with the attitude that we're going to give them a really good hiding, and not be too relaxed with the players we have in our side. We know very little about the venue or opposition; it changes so much year by year. We're playing in Fochville now, not even at Potchefstroom, where their main ground is. So we've no idea what the pitch is going to be like, or the opposition. We're hoping we can have a good season and persuade the South Africans to allow us into their SuperSport series next season. We've won so many of the competitions in the last four or five years, that I think it's best for our cricket. Their B sides have some decent players, but we want to improve and play slightly better players. SuperSport would be brilliant for our guys." [More]

LETTERS

BRIAN MURPHY TOO YOUNG
I am one of those who received with shock the news of Heath Streak's resignation as captain of the side. In my view Streak should have not quit the post because it seemed it fitted him well. I think his replacement is not the right one. Brian Murphy is too young for the post. These days playing for Zimbabwe is not just playing cricket, one has to deal with a lot of issues especially racism. That is why I am saying Murphy cannot handle such issues as he is too young. Streak was old enough to deal with those issues so the ZCU should find a suitable replacement for him. If Streak's reasons were genuine then MURPHY WILL SUFFER THE SAME SETBACK.
Mehluli Sibanda (freelance cricket writer, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)

A SURPRISE

Did it come as a surprise to you that Brian Murphy was made the captain of the Zimbabwe cricket team? It did to me. I'd hardly even call him a regular in the side. It seems to me, and I know from experience that to get anywhere with cricket in Zimbabwe, that it depends on who you know, and not how good you are. And that determines your future.

I don't know. Maybe Murphy is an excellent choice, and maybe he is just what we need. On the other hand I can't really think of anybody else that might be capable of captaining the team, except Andy Flower. I also think that Doug Marillier looks like he could be captain material.
Chris Durand (Zimbabwe)

ABOUT THE PLAYERS

Will you be updating the Zimbabwe Cricket Biographies, and if so when? Also do you have any idea when Bryan Strang will be back playing for Zimbabwe? I know that he is out with an injury at the moment. What has happened to Andrew Whittall? Is he still playing cricket? If you could help me with any of my questions I would be most grateful.
Emma Westmacott (England)

Reply: Yes, I'll be updating the biographies during the course of the season. Bryan Strang expects to be fit to play for the Board XI in the middle of this month, but will miss the tour to Bangladesh. Andrew Whittall left cricket after losing his place in the national side two years ago and is now in the much more lucrative business of sports marketing.