UNDER the leadership of Head Coach Dave Houghton, Zimbabwe’s cricket team has its sights set on a significant victory this weekend.
The crunch Group A World Cup Qualifier match against the West Indies is expected to draw a capacity crowd on Saturday at the Harare Sports Club.
Houghton is confident that the home crowd’s energy and enthusiasm will be decisive in the game.
Since the former captain’s takeover from Lalchand Rajput last year, Houghton has managed to turn the fortunes of the Chevrons around, maintaining an undefeated streak on home ground.
With Zimbabwe and West Indies topping the table, the result of this match could be pivotal in determining which team goes through to the Super Six stage with an advantage of four points.
Acknowledging the equalizing effect of the Harare flat wicket, Houghton said, “The biggest thing about home advantage is the fans. The wickets are really good. I think anybody coming here will understand that.”
He added, “The fact that we have 10,000 fans behind us screaming and cheering us on makes the difference. It’s like having an extra man in the team.”
Houghton, who turned 66 on Friday, is hoping for a great birthday present. He has promised the fans an exciting brand of cricket if they come out in their thousands.
“I am still hopeful that they will give us that kind of support they always give us, and we will certainly play the type of cricket that has made them fall in love with this team,” he affirmed.
Group B in Bulawayo boasts a strong Sri Lankan side, Oman, Scotland, Ireland and United Arab Emirates.
West Indies and Sri Lanka have won three 50 Overs World Cup, but Houghton needs to read more into that history.
Zimbabwe missed the 2019 World Cup in England for the first time since 1983. The Chevrons’ mentor, however, believes that the former champions are the ones that are under pressure rather than Zimbabwe.
“It is very important for us to win our group. We are not blind to these things (that both West Indies and Sri Lanka are former champions),” he said.
“These are good sides we are going to play against. But for the first time, I have been in charge, and the opposition is the one that is under pressure.”
Houghton revels in his team being underdogs, and everybody loves underdogs.
“People don’t expect us to win, so we come from a position where we are the underdogs, and I like it. Underdogs with home support behind us make us an interesting opposition for them,” Houghton said.
“One of the things that has happened with this team is that they believe in themselves. I understand that we can beat anybody if they play the type of cricket I am encouraging them to play.”
Houghton only looks at the positives. He does not dwell on the negative past, like when Zimbabwe missed out on the last World Cup.
“I don’t talk about the history and what happened in 2018. All I talk about is the present,” he said.
“If we play the best cricket in our home environment, we can beat anyone, they have to believe it, and they do.”
