DMCI jets in from Bots tour

Sports Reporter
THE Baines Junior School-based Dumisani Mankunzini Cricket Initiative (DMCI) Under-9 team returned from a tour of Botswana with just one win out of three matches.

DMCI, which was representing Zimbabwe at a mini-tournament dubbed “Under-9s World Cup”, competed against the competition’s winners Kolkata of India, South Africa’s representatives Alberton Cricket Club and the hosts’ Cubs Cricket Academy.

Dumisani Mankunzini, a former Matabeleland Tuskers cricket franchise and Zimbabwe Under-19 legspinner, said the tournament was played in a round robin format.

“The idea was to introduce cricket to youngsters, particularly the Under-9s, a group that hardly plays the sport. Because as much as cricket can be an interesting sport, it can be a bore to kids, hence the decision to reduce innings to 12 overs,” said Mankunzini.

“I believe the kids really had a good time and from the group we went with, I’m confident that these boys will grow to become some of the best cricketers. At DMCI, we are into cricket development and kids can only develop by playing at such tournaments,” he said.

DMCI lost their first match to Kolkata by 26 runs as they failed to chase the 78 runs target set by the young Asians. The Zimbabweans only managed 52 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

South Africa’s Alberton Cricket Club, who took part in the Baines Junior Dumisani Mankunzini Winter Cricket Festival held in Bulawayo in July, bowled out DMCI for 44 runs and went on to win the game by six wickets as they easily reached 45 runs with a dozen balls to spare.

The Zimbabweans got their consolation victory against Cubs, whom they beat by four wickets. DMCI had restricted their Botswana opponents to 42 runs after 11 overs before racing to 43 runs for the loss of six wickets to win the game.

Mankunzini said they were now preparing for their annual South Africa tour that will run from December 12-24.

“We will be taking our Under-11 and 13 teams to South Africa for a tournament that will be played at Alberton Cricket Club. To improve the boys’ cricket techniques, it is important that they are exposed to competitions like these. The teams that we are taking were identified during our winter cricket festival. When schools open in January, we will continue sending our coaches to schools in Bulawayo as part of our undertaking of developing cricket at the grassroots,” Mankunzini said.