Tinaye Agere
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
THE Chevrons have put the heartbreak they suffered in 2018 behind them and believe that qualifying for the 2023 edition of the ICC World Cup, which will be held in India in October, would be the best way to atone for their past disappointment.
Just like in 2018, the Chevrons have the privilege of hosting the World Cup qualifiers.
The competition begins in Harare and Bulawayo next weekend.
The last time they hosted the qualifiers, the Chevrons narrowly missed out on a place at the World Cup, which left them devastated.
However, Zimbabwe has undergone major changes since then.
Coach Dave Houghton is determined to join eight other countries that have already qualified.
“There has been no mention of 2018 that has happened on my watch,” he said.
“Our preparations started in April with a month’s fitness camp, followed by the six-game series against Pakistan A, and the finishing touches here in Kwekwe have been excellent.
“We couldn’t be better prepared.”
The former Zimbabwe captain has also brought a winning mentality to the Chevrons since his appointment last year.
“We are not even thinking along the lines of, if we can get out of our group in the early stages. We are thinking only of winning the tournament and qualifying for the World Cup,” added Houghton.
Since his appointment, he has not had the fortune of having his full squad at any given time due to injuries and different player commitments.
But he is confident of the composition of his current squad.
“I think we have picked the best combination for these qualifiers and it’s been the first time we have had a fully fit team to choose from.”
He also seems to have been impressed by the improvement in batting, which has been the team’s Achilles heel.
“Firstly, I disagree that we have been struggling with our batting; if anything, it’s been giving us strength. Batting first in winter is hard work, but we have put competitive scores up on most occasions.”
Houghton believes the vocal local fans will play a pivotal role in helping Zimbabwe secure one of the two World Cup two slots up for grabs.
“We are playing at home in these qualifiers.
“We know our surfaces well, both in Harare and Bulawayo. The surfaces are good . . . However, our home support may well be a huge help,” he said.
“The week away has given us a great, uninterrupted opportunity to practise at the fantastic Kwekwe Sports Club facility.
“We have stayed at Antelope Park, which is a fantastic place to be together, to experience new things and to grow as a united team.
“Its been fantastic.”
Cricket fans are bracing for some exciting cricket, what with the likes of former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka coming to town.
The 10 teams taking part in the qualifiers are split into two groups of five.
Hosts Zimbabwe, West Indies, Netherlands, Nepal and the United States make up Group A, while Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are in Group B.
Each side will play the other teams in their group once. The top three from each group will progress to the Super Six stage.
In the Super Six, teams will not play sides that were in their group.
All points won in the group stage will be carried over to the Super Six, apart from those gained against the teams that fail to make it to the next stage.
The finalists automatically qualify for the World Cup.
Online Reporter