Zimbabwe not scared of facing No.1 Australian team

AHMEDABAD - Full with confidence ahead of their first match of the World Cup againt defending champions, the Zimbabwean team has said that they are not afraid of the Australian team.

Players of the team sounded this on the sidelines of a strenuous net practice at Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

“Oh! It is always good fun playing the Australians. They are highly competitive and I am sure that they are the No.1 team in the world in One Day at the moment. So far we just have to get out there, be as confident as we can and do the usual things like we do well.

“We have beaten them a few times as well so we are not afraid of them but we respect them so let us see how it goes,” said Raymond Price, Zimbabwean batsman.

The Zimbabwe team will face four-time World Cup winners Australia on February 21 at the Motera Stadium here.

Meanwhile, Stephen Mangongo, the team’s assistant coach told media persons that the playing in the World Cup has a lot of meaning for the team.

“This World Cup is a window, is a showroom for Zimbabwe cricket to go out there and perform to the best of our ability so that the world can see that Zimbabwe cricket is growing. There has been a lot of bad publicity in the past but by coming here to the World Cup we have to showcase our talent and showcase our ability play at this highest level,” said Mangongo.

The Zimbabwe team is placed in Group A in the ICC World Cup with Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Canada and Kenya.

The World Cup is hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh and the opening ceremony was held amongst much fanfare and glamour in Dhaka on February 17.

The opening match of the tournament will be played in Dhaka on February 19 in which India will take on the hosts Bangladesh. (ANI)