HARARE - Zimbabwe cricket coach Andy Waller has set conditions for the return of batsman Charles Coventry to the team ahead of March’s ICC World Twenty20.
Waller said Coventry, who is currently playing cricket in Dubai, should avail himself for next week’s domestic Twenty20 matches set for Harare Sports Club between February 10 and 15.
Matabeleland Tuskers batsman Coventry last monthly reportedly turned down a call-up, but Waller said the aggressive batter and top-order batsman is part of his plans.
"Coventry is definitely part of the team," said Waller.
"It's his decision whether he wants to be part of the team, if he wants to make the squad I have made it pretty clear to him that he has to come and play in the T20 tournament. So he will have to buy his own ticket back from Dubai to come and play in it and I think it is worth it. I'm hoping he will do that."
Coventry stunned the cricket world with a master-stroke 194 not out against Bangladesh albeit in a losing cause at Queens Sports Club in 2009. His knock equalled Pakistan's Saeed Anwar's record for the highest individual score in a One-Day International. The record was however, surpassed by former Indian great Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 200 on February 4 in 2010 but Coventry's innings remains the highest score in a losing cause, surpassing Australia's Matthew Hayden's 181.
Coventry’ Matabeleland teammate, Sean Williams, however dismissed chances of him playing in the domestic tournament.
"Unfortunately, he will not be around for the local T20s but he said he's still available for national selection depending on whether someone books him flight," Williams told the Daily News yesterday.
Domestic Twenty20 Fixtures
Monday, February 10: Mashonaland Eagles vs Midwest Rhinos (09.30hrs), Southern Rocks vs Matabeleland Tuskers (13.30hrs).
Tuesday, February 11: Mountaineers vs Mountaineers (09.30), Midwest Rhinos vs Southern Rocks (13.30).
Wednesday, February 12: Mashonaland Eagles vs Southern Rocks (09.30), Matabeleland Tuskers vs Mountaineers (13.30).
Thursday, February 13: Midwest Rhinos vs Matabeleland Tuskers (09.30), Southern Rocks vs Mountaineers (13.30).
Friday, February 14: Matabeleland Tuskers vs Mashonaland Eagles (09.30), Mountaineers vs Midwest Rhinos (13.30).
Saturday, February 15: 3rd and 4th place- TBC (09.30), Final- TBC (13.30).