(Representation: Givemore Makoni-Convener of Selectors and Steven Mangongo – Coach of Zimbabwe A)
Question: The Twenty20 triangular series between Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and South africa gets underway before the triangular series between Zimbabwe A, Sri Lanka A and South Africa A. Is there any reason why the Zimbabwe A squad was announced before the national squad?
A: Makoni: "We want the players to start preparing themselves and to start training, it is a squad that has a lot of fringe players as well as current national team players and if need be they can play some of the games with the national team players so that we are able to pick the best team for the upcoming series."
Q: Other than the stats from last season's Castle Logan Cup, what justification is there to include Glenn Querl and Tendai Manatsa? They have only played one season of franchise Cricket and they already find themselves playing for the A side?.
A: Makoni: "When you pick a side you look at current form and stats. You are right in saying that they have played for one season but if you look at the stats, Manatsa has taken a lot of wickets in the domestic league and Querl has also done the same.
It is unfortunate that these are the only things we can go by apart from them being some of the fittest athletes in the country, they have taken wickets and this is why we have selected them to see if they can push for a place in the national team."
Q: Greg Lamb is a player who has been plagued by injuries over the last few years and he is also over the age of 30. Do you think he will last the series?
A: Mangongo "Lamb is a quality player, who has played overseas and played county cricket." Yes, he has been plagued by injuries, but the reports we have got from the fitness trainer and physio, suggests that he is fit and as a result, we see no reason not to pick him."
Q: Why has it taken so long for Tawanda Mupariwa to be called back into the squad?
A: Mangongo: "Tawanda had a bad injury and as a result, had an operation on his knee which saw him out of cricket for about 18 months.
To come back to the highest level you need to go through intensive rehab and training. He has been working with Heath Streak in Bulawayo and he has regained his fitness and that is why he has been recalled."
Q: Gavin Erwing is another player who has had fitness and injury problems in the past. He isn't getting any younger either, so is it wise to include him in the squad?
A: Makoni:Gavin Erwing has scored lots of runs not only last season but the season before as well. He has played for Zimbabwe before and is a top cricketer. He is just one of those cricketers who has to be monitored in turns of fitness because he is prone to putting on weight over the off season but Wayne James, who is also a selector tells us that Gavin is putting in a lot of hard work and so he deserves to be given a chance."
