adminteams will play a series of two one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games ahead of the International Cricket Council women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers to be held in Ireland in three months’ time.
The Zimbabwe women’s team has been in camp since Sunday and their co-odinator, Caroline Nyamande, said their morale is high.
“The team has been in camp since Sunday and their morale is high.
“We have a new captain, Ashley Burdett, who will be assisted by Thandolwenkosi Mlilo.
“We are getting assistance from a number of people and that include the newly-appointed Zimbabwe men’s national team coach Andy Willer, Under-19 coach Walter Chawaguta and development coaches like Ian Tinker and Nick Singo and we believe we will do well.
“Yesterday’s training session went on very well and so far we have the same squad which we selected,” said Nyamande.
The South Africans arrived in Harare yesterday and the visiting team’s captain, Mignan du Preez, said they were likely to face some tough opposition from Zimbabwe although they have beaten the hosts before in most tournaments.
“We are looking forward to the games.
“We have come with a mixed team as some of the players play for our national team while others are from our development teams.
“Every international game is a good game.
“For us, playing Zimbabwe is a good thing.
“That is why we decided to bring in some new faces so that we can build our talented players and give them some international exposure.
“We have beaten Zimbabwe before in other tournaments.
“But we can never tell what they have for us. The games are likely to be competitive,” said du Preez.
The South African team has four capped players and 11 new faces.
The series will get under way today with an ODI match at Country Club in the Highlands area of Harare.
One of South Africa’s new players, Alexis le Breton, believes the exposure to this series adds an advantage to her cricket career.
“I am very excited to take part in this series. It is a good advantage to my career. Back home I was the captain and I led our team to a league victory.
“So I believe this exposure will add something to my cricket career.
“I am just hoping to put up some runs,” said Breton.
Breton has captained Western Cape in South Africa since last October.
Fixtures
23 May: 1st ODI
25 May: 2nd ODI
27 May: 1st T20
28 May: 2nd T20
Online Reporter