ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 18, 2022

Regis Chakabva

Bellerive Oval

Zimbawae

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. The gap between the two sides would have been a little bit closer?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Yeah, look, at the end of the day you're always looking to start off with such a convincing win. You can't tell before the game starts for sure, but you're always looking to put the best performance in, and it's nice that we ended up getting quite a convincing win in the end, like you said.

Q. Your dismissal was kind of the story of what went right for bowlers in the game, kind of hitting that length that reared up a little bit, that hard Aussie length. That's something you spoke about being a threat for batters and strength for bowlers before the tournament.

REGIS CHAKABVA: Yeah, look, we could certainly tell even from the first game, as well, that the ball did come through off that sort of hard length, and both teams, as well, struggled a little bit early on with the new ball. So yeah, definitely in the end we made better use of that first new ball, I think, so it was really good to come out on top.

Q. As a side, your bowling attack looks naturally very well suited to that sort of game plan, a lot of height, a lot of variation in terms of left arm, right arm, and Richard had a lot of success last night and then Blessing with his height. Again, that's something that you guys talk about a lot, exploiting that, kind of the natural abilities that you have?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Yeah, definitely. We're always trying to challenge our boys to try and make use of their own individual talents in that sense. It's really good that yesterday they really clicked together as a bowling unit, and it came out well.

Q. Last year you traveled to Ireland and you lost the T20 series 3-2. That Irish team has changed a lot. They've got four or five different players in. A lot of people would say they're a lot better now than they were then. You guys haven't changed personnel. You look at that squad it's yourself, Craig is still skipper, Sikander is obviously in the form of his life, Jongwe is still there. It's a very similar squad, more experienced squad, but you've completely turned the form around in 12 months. The one thing that's changed, is it Mukuh?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Look, obviously when we toured Ireland, the conditions were quite different, as well, and them being at home, they definitely would have had a bit of an upper hand on us. But again, Australia is obviously neutral ground, and it was always going to be a case of who's better on the day, and I thought that yesterday, especially with the ball, we ended up doing a lot better.

So I think it's probably going to be the thing as we progress into this tournament. Every game is almost like a final for all the teams here, and so it's really just a case of trying to be the best and the better team on the day.

Q. How much of an effect has the new coach coming in had? Sikander spoke glowingly about him last night, about what he's done for his game, and how he changes how he thinks a little bit going out. I'm wondering, have you had a similar experience? Has he been beneficial for you personally?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Yeah, Dave has been brilliant with us, with everybody really around the team, and we've all loved having him. He's really brought that fun and really positive nature and aspect of our games back into the squad. So it's been really good having him here.

Q. Tomorrow obviously West Indies up, two sides kind of very different opening matchups. Probably a lot more the same in terms of how they're going to attack you bowling-wise. We saw Jason Holder had a lot of success with the short ball. More of the same, but Sikander last night was saying Zimbabweans, we love playing that delivery; we're very good on the short ball. Presumably it's bring it on; that's a challenge you're looking forward to?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Yeah, look, every game is going to be different, facing a different side every day. It's just a matter of us trying to look at what we're going to face up, and again, just trying as much as possible again to stick to our strength and to stick to our plans.

I think at the end of the day, that's going to be the big thing because we're facing a different side every other game. With the West Indies obviously tomorrow it's a slightly different challenge than Ireland yesterday, so we just have to try in the game to bring our best foot forward.

Q. Lance Klusener resigned as batting coach in the lead-up to the World Cup. How much of an impact did his resignation have on the team, and how important was he to have him as the mentor in the squad?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Look, we obviously enjoyed having Lance with us before the World Cup, and unfortunately obviously personal issues that he had with Zimbabwe Cricket. We've obviously taken a lot of the things that he shared with us, and we've been continuing with those things with Dave and Stewart again. Yeah, it's been really good, and that's just how we're looking at it at the moment.

Q. The opening bowlers did a great job in the first four overs tearing through Ireland's batters and really setting up the win. How important was it to get off to a good start with the ball?

REGIS CHAKABVA: It was huge. Obviously we know what Ireland can do. Stirling up front has always been a very dangerous guy, so it was really good to get him early and to get those few more wickets early on and then powerplay with the new ball. So it was really important to set ourselves up with the new ball early on.

Q. West Indies will be desperate to rebound after a disappointing loss. You spoke about them a bit earlier. What are you expecting from them?

REGIS CHAKABVA: I mean, West Indies are a force to be reckoned with, and they'll be hungry tomorrow to put in a big fight, and we know they're going to bring a big fight. Again, we just have to also try and make sure we play our best cricket on the day and hopefully that we come out on top.

Q. One of the younger players, Nelson Shumba, has been playing well. How have you seen him develop as a player?

REGIS CHAKABVA: Nelson is a brilliant young boy, and he's done really well for us, and no doubt he's got a long career ahead of him. He'll continue to improve his cricket and it's been nice seeing him even yesterday, even though he had a slightly sort of short inning, but it was really good to see the positive intent that he had, and that's something that we have all been affirming him and hoping to continue to see him doing so.