Zimbabwe's bowling coach Heath Streak on Thursday said his team were no pushovers or underdogs and were looking forward to causing some upsets during the ICC cricket World Cup 2011.
"We play every game to win. The young guys have a great opportunity to showcase their talent to raise the level of the game. It is a dream come true for some of the guys to play the World Cup," the former Zimbabwe skipper said.
Streak said that his team had the ability and talent, which just needs to be converted into consistent performances.
Zimbabwe play their first match against defending champion Australia at the Sardar Patel stadium, Motera, in Ahmedabad on February 21.
"Our boys will be going after their opponents and are looking forward at causing some upsets. At least they will show them (opponents) that they are here and not some pushovers. We are competitive and here to win. We do not want to disappoint our country," Streak said.
He further added that the team has had good practice at the ICC Dubai academy for a whole week where they also played two warm-up games.
Streak also said that though they had some hiccups in the run up to the World Cup, the boys are now geared up and ready to go.
When asked how he would use spin, which has been the team's forte, Streak said that he had some experienced spinners who have completed over 100 ODIs, so his role was limited to facilitating them.
"Being a seamer, my seam bowling is my forte and I believe that it is going to play an important role. But spin has been our strength, and we do not go away from our strength," he said.
When asked if batting was causing more worries for the team, Streak said it was not that much of a concern.
"We have had some good games in the recent past and our opening batsman Brendan Taylor has been in good form," he said.
About chances of a young team doing well, Streak said, "You cannot buy experience and that I think is lacking. But at the same time I think experience will come with time for them," he said.
With former Zimbabwe players like himself, Grant Flower (fielding coach), Alistair Campbell (team selector) and former England player Allan Butcher as coach, the young team is likely to learn faster, Streak said.
The Zimbabwe team which arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday practised for over four hours at the Sardar Patel stadium.
