Makhaya Ntini: Zimbabwe waited long for Test cricket

Makhaya Ntini: Zimbabwe waited long for Test cricket

As Zimbabwe host couple of Test matches with New Zealand, team’s interim head coach Makhaya Ntini has said that the team has waited for long time to play Test matches. Zimbabwe played their last Test in 2014 against Bangladesh in the latter’s home, losing all three Tests of the series. The team’s last victory in a Test match came back in 2013 when they defeated Pakistan. Since November 2014, though Zimbabwe have been participating in limited-overs cricket, they did not get a scope to put on the white clothes and Ntini has now said they are ready to play the longest format of the game. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe  vs  New Zealand , Live Score, 1st Test match at Bulawayo

Talking to Cricbuzz, Ntini said,  “My boys are ready,” he said. “I say that because they have been waiting for too long to play Test cricket. This country is a Test country and we don’t have enough of those. They have been waiting for too long to show how hungry they are.”

When asked if he is tensed regarding the series against New Zealand, the former South African said, “Me? No, I am not nervous. It’s them that are going on the field. For me, it’s just to motivate them, to show them the way and make them believe. If they get selected, it is a very good chance to show what they are capable of.”

Talking about his tenure as head coach, Ntini said, “We are bringing new things in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has been one of the countries that has been neglected for quite some time. If they get an opportunity, they will utilise it to their full potential. Every player hates being part of a country that needs to qualify for a bigger stage. My vision is that between now and 2019, Zimbabwe are not in a position to play qualifiers before they play in the bigger set-up.”