After Zimbabwe’s woeful batting performance in the second T20I against India at the Harare Sports Club, interim head coach Makhaya Ntini has lashed out at his batsmen for playing irresponsible shots during the cricket match.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Ntini revealed that the coaching staff was working extensively on rectifying the shot selection of senior Zimbabwean batsmen. Not the one to mince any words, he wanted them to take responsibility and play according to the situation.
Ntini lamented, “Shot selection – it's one of the things that me and Zulu (Lance Klusener) are trying to correct and put in them. You don't win a game over one shot. You don't score a 100 over one shot. If someone gets out before you, you are supposed to be the one that takes charge of the game and correct the mistake that the other one has made.”
When the top order was dismantled by India’s new-ball bowlers, the others did not apply themselves and instead perished by attempting extravagant strokes. The 38-year old noted the way in which his batsmen were dismissed.
The former fast bowler felt, “It comes with maturity of the batters we have and the experience. You look at Hamilton (Masakadza) – the way he got out, that's not the way he should've got out. If he could stay there for 10 overs, he could've scored 70 with ease.”
He added, “Yes, Chamu (Chibhabha) took on the field and it hit the toe end of the bat and he got out, that could've been 6 or 4 too. But the rest of us, look at (Sikandar) Raza, come on. You see there's a guy put there and you're guiding the ball there. Where is the maturity?”
Earlier, the South African had claimed that he wanted to hang himself from a tomato tree following Zimbabwe’s loss in the 2nd ODI against the Indians. However, according to him, there were still a few things to look forward to in the future.
Ntini believed, “Those are kind of things we need to get the things into their head. You don't do things for the sake of doing it. Think of the guy who is coming after you. If you can control the eager, this country could be the best ever in cricket.”
With the T20I series placed at 1-1, he would hope that the Zimbabwe batsmen answer his call in the final match on Wednesday.
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