Cricketers win accolades despite defeat

February 23, 2011

Daily News

By Enock Muchinjo, Deputy Sports Editor

23 February 2011

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister David Coltart joined cricket fans in reacting warmly to the team’s battling performance in its World Cup opening match on Monday, despite the 91-run defeat to defending champions Australia.

Zimbabwe bowled and fielded remarkably well in the Indian city of Ahmedabad to restrict the Aussies to a gettable 262-6 in 50 overs.

The Zimbabwean spinners, led by 34-year-old left-armer Ray Price, restrained the feared Australian batsmen by constantly hitting accurate lengths and lines.

In pursuit, Zimbabwe was however outdone by the champions’ pace barrage as the frontline trio of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson helped reduce the African side to 171 in 46.2 overs.

Coltart, a keen cricket follower, led the praises with a Facebook message on leg-spinner Graeme Cremer’s page.

The 24-year-old Cremer took 1-41 in 10 overs before top-scoring with 38 at number nine.

“Graeme, superb all-round performance today,” wrote Coltart.

“Congratulations! Now you need to help lift the spirits of the other lads who struggled more than you did. That was a very credible performance today. You have little time in the middle with teams of that so you all acquitted yourselves superbly. We are immensely proud of you all.”

Cremer’s friend, Levi Pearce, also posted on his Wall: “I can’t find a word to describe you; inspiring, dogged, almost arrogant in the way you took it to Aus at the end with the bat.”

Alister Zowe, Zimbabwe women’s team coach, added his comment: “In a match like that you walk away with your head high. They did well. Oh, they can only get better.”

Most comments on the match were posted on Cricinfo, the world’s leading cricket website.

“Zim bowled very well and should be commended for that, the spinners spot on, Australia showed their shyness when playing against spin the innings,” observed Titch Maphosa, adding: “If (Chris) Mpofu and (Chigumbura) had not given away so many (runs) they would have kept them under 250. Zimbabwe’s batting is good.

They are however not used to playing genuine pace. The 135kmh+ they usually play at home against medium pacers expose their weakness. Today they played well and showed the Aussies too much respect. A little respect was okay, but not as much as Zim gave.”

Voma, another Cricinfo reader, reckoned the Australians would fail to beat tougher opposition if their subdued performance against Zimbabwe a sign of things to come.

He said: “Hmm interesting how the Zimbabwe bowlers restricted the Australian batsmen. Against better opponents, I think Aussies would be staring down the barrel of defeat.”