Zimbabwe first opponent

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 48

Zimbabwe first opponent

PA Hyderabad The role of underdog at this month’s World Cup cricket tournament sits happily with the Zimbabwe team according to the captain, John Traicos. An offspinner, Traicos, aged 40, played for South Africa in its last official test series against Australia 17 years ago, appearing in three of the four tests. Zimbabwe is New Zealand’s first opponent in section A at the Lal Bahadur Stadium on Saturday. While Zimbabwe, which played in the last World Cup four years ago, is the undisputed lightweight of the group, Traicos is optimistic his team will provide worthy competition for its more renowned

opposition. "Being underdog can be a benefit,” he said. “Our guys have played a lot of one-day cricket against B sides from most of the test playing countries, but nine of the team played in the last World Cup so we’re fairly experienced from that point of view.” Zimbabwe qualified for the World Cup by winning the play-off series against other associate member countries of the International Cricket Conference last year.

Since then it has had tours from Pakistan B, a young West Indies side and — shortly before leaving for the tournament — New South Wales. Unlike the New Zealanders, Traicos said his team has been fairly satls-

fled with its build-up matches, playing the same opposition as the Kiwis. "They've been fairly good. They have given us a feel of the conditions, particularly in the field. We would have liked to have batted a bit longer to give us a look at the wickets, which are a little on the slow side.”

Traicos played down his knowledge of the New Zealand team, several of whofa toured Zimbabwe three years ago. "We’ve got an idea of the guys we’re up against although since 1984 they’ve had quite a lot of tests and one-day internationals. So they’ll be different but nevertheless we’ve got some idea,” he said.

Zimbabwe caused a big

upset at the last World Cup by beating Australia, which is again in its group here.

Traicos said his team was adopting a match by match approach and was looking to pick up a win or two this time. He said this team was similar in strength to 1983 but has had the advantage' of experience since then and is a better prepared unit

Although reluctant to regard his team as a potential spoiler of the group, Traicos can see a situation where Zimbabwe could open the door for India, Australia or New Zealand in a four-way group where two teams will progress to the semifinals.