Zimbabwe looking to bat
first and pile runs

Zimbabwe captain Stuart Carlisle on Monday said the team's gameplan for the first Test against India, starting in Nagpur on February 21, would be to bat first and pile up about 450 runs in the first innings.

After nets, he told reporters: "We are certainly underdogs but the result of the Test series can be in favour of Zimbabwe."

On the team's performance in the recently-concluded three-day match against Board President's XI, at Vijayawada, Carlisle said he is happy to note that former skipper Andy Flower is back in form

"Andy would be batting during the series and not keeping the wickets," he added.

To a query, Carlisle said there would be no clash of egos despite the presence of four former captains in the team, but it would be good to have their advice.

He described the pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground a very good batting track.

Mail Cricket Editor