Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket will use the bio bubble concept for the country’s premier first-class cricket competition which gets underway in Harare on Thursday to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The country’s domestic first-class season starts on Thursday, with all the players to be tested for Covid-19 a day before action gets underway. A bio-bubble is a safe and secure environment isolated from the outside world to lessen the risk of Covid-19 infection. It permits only authorised sports persons, support staff and match officials to enter the protected area after testing negative for Covid-19.
ZC director of cricket, Hamilton Masakadza said they were still deciding on how to limit players interacting with outsiders during the Logan Cup matches to be played between 3-20 December.
“We are still working on the finer details, they will definitely be in accommodation, we are trying to limit their contract with the outside world. We will finalise everything on Monday. The idea is to have everyone in a controlled environment,’’ said Masakadza.
Venues to be used in the six fixtures scheduled for 3-20 December are Takashiga Cricket Club, Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians Sports Club.
Meanwhile, Tuskers women have qualified for the Twenty20 final where they face off against Eagles on Friday at a venue to be decided by ZC. Captained by Nomvelo Sibanda, the Tuskers lasses defeated Rhinos by six runs through the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method at Kwekwe Sports Club last Friday to book a place in the final.
At Mutare Sports Club, the contest between Eagles and Mountaineers was abandoned at Takashinga, with the former finishing in top spot while Tuskers ended second.
The T20 final is taking place the day before the Fifty50 Challenge whose title decider is on Saturday, with chances being high that the two finals will be played at the same venue.
@Mdawini_29
Online Reporter