Published: Jun 12, 2016, 09:50 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 12, 2016, 10:47 AM (IST)
Zimbabwe’s interim coach Makhaya Ntini who was given the task after Dav Whatmore was sacked from the role, has hit out at the habit of international teams not sending their top players to play in Zimbabwe, and instead sending a second-string side to tour the nation. The former South African fast bowler has infact given a warning to team India that Zimbabwe will put such teams ‘under the carpet’ to stop this habit of teams doing so. Ntini’s frustration was there to be seen by all, as he felt that this kind of strategy doesn’t help his team and therefore, big teams should start sending their No.1 team on the tour. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Zimbabwe , 1st ODI Match at Harare
“We’re sick and tired of waiting around for South Africa to send their A team,” Ntini said. “We want to compete with the big boys. We’re creating a new venture here. We want to make sure that this country gets to play more games, and if you send us a team that is not your strongest team, we’re going to put them under the carpet so that they go home and tell people that they need to send their strongest team.”
Ntini’s frustration comes after the BCCI announced 5 uncapped players to travel on the tour of Zimbabwe. MS Dhoni, though the most experienced cricketer in the side, was named the captain. However, Ntini wouldn’t have been impressed with Zimbabwe’s poor display in the first ODI at Harare between the two sides as India comfortably won with 9 wickets. Three players – KL Rahul, Karun Nair and Yuzvendra Chahal made their debut for India. Rahul even, scored a hundred on debut.
