CHEVRONS coach Justin Sammons has pointed to player fatigue as a significant factor in the team’s dismal performance in Zimbabwe’s crushing 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa.
His candid assessment comes after the Chevrons suffered an innings and 236-run loss in the second Test, following a 328-run defeat in the first, both at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
“Not good enough, we’re not good enough, at the end of the day,” a visibly disappointed Sammons said, reflecting on the team’s overall showing.
“If we want to be competing with the best, that’s the standard. Unfortunately, we fell well short of it. Just from a skill level point of view, just way off the mark.”
The coach acknowledged that while the team has been learning and improving their preparation, execution remains a major hurdle.
“If you listen to the group speak, you know, the way we’re talking,” he said.
“The way we’re preparing has improved a lot. But, at the end of the day, it’s still about executing those lessons, and that’s where we’re falling short.”
Sammons believes the team’s execution actually regressed compared to recent series against Bangladesh and even aspects of their play against England.
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When pressed on the reasons for this downturn, he offered a new perspective.
“What we can put that down to, I’m not quite 100% sure. It’s something new for the group as well, in terms of us having played sort of five Test matches in a row, so there will certainly be a little bit of fatigue that’s kicked in,” Sammons said.
“I mean, it’s draining, it’s heavy on the guys, and they’re not used to it, so that certainly, I think, has played its part. But that’s what international cricket is about, you know, and you need to suck it up and get the job done, whether you’re tired or not,” he said.
Despite the disappointing results, Sammons commended his players’ effort.
“Again, it’s not through a lack of effort. You know, they are giving their all. But, at the end of the day, you can’t take away the disappointment of what happened over here in the last couple of days.”
Zimbabwe’s attention now shifts to the upcoming Tri-Nations T20 series in Harare, where they will face South Africa and New Zealand, offering a chance for redemption on home soil.
