Before taking on England, Zimbabwe will fine-tune their preparations with a four-day warm-up match against a First-Class Counties XI from May 15 to 18 at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons said the players were in good spirits following their first training session at their temporary base. \u201cGood day. Obviously, we had a long journey from Harare to Leicestershire. So, you know, Sunday was a day off in terms of our recovery \u2013 Curtly (Diesel, the strength and conditioning coach) had the guys switched on to that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd then today was our first session out in the field and the nets. I think it was excellent. Just a nice technical session. Guys are ticking their boxes there. So, yeah, happy with the way it went.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the long travel and unfamiliar conditions, Sammons said the players were embracing the challenge of competing in one of Test cricket\u2019s most prestigious settings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got great energy. The group is really excited. I mean, I don't think you can get anything better than coming and playing Test cricket in England,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, you know, I think it's just naturally energising the group, and they are super excited to get going. Super excited!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The return to England comes at a time when Zimbabwe are rebuilding their red-ball programme, coming hard on the heels of a hard-fought one-all series draw against Bangladesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s why you play the game. You want to play against the best and, obviously, England are one of the best Test teams in the world,\u201d Sammons said. \u201cAnd it gives us a gauge as to where we are and what we need to do moving forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut the guys have a real belief that they belong, and I'm looking forward to seeing them go out there with their chests puffed out and walking out there like they do belong in the space.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With 10 days of build-up before the Nottingham Test, including the four-day warm-up match, Sammons is confident Zimbabwe will be well prepared for the occasion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think our preparation is excellent. We\u2019ve got 10 days ahead of us of good prep. So, yeah, I don\u2019t think we could ask for anything more than that,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s great to get a warm-up game, which is exciting. And then, obviously, as we head into Nottingham, a couple more practices there. So, yeah, like I said, from a preparation point of view, I don't think we can complain.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With 10 days of build-up before the Nottingham Test, including the four-day warm-up match, Sammons is confident Zimbabwe will be well prepared for the occasion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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