Gears for 2016 ICC Africa Women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe women’s cricket team are looking to draw inspiration from their hockey and football counterparts when they get the ball rolling today in the 2016 ICC Africa Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament which begins today in Harare. The women’s side play three other nations in the qualifiers that will take place at the Country Club and Alexandra Sports Club from today until Tuesday.

Zimbabwe, who have always dominated the regional qualifiers, will be looking forward to another successful run at home as they host the tournament for the first time. The women’s cricket team manager Caroline Nyamande yesterday said they were ready to battle their opponents for the sole ticket which guarantees winners a shot at the global qualifiers for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 to be held in the West Indies.

Nyamande said the spirits were high in the camp following the recent camp in South Africa and the subsequent three-week camp which allowed them to intensify their preparations for the tournament.

The year 2016 has particularly been a good year for national women’s sides after the hockey under-21 made the cut for the World Cup to be held in Chile in November and the Mighty Warriors’ twin successes in the Africa Women Nations Cup football qualifiers and the historic date with the Olympics.

Nyamande said her girls are motivated. “We also want to be up there especially looking at how the stakeholders are warming up to the other girls’ teams. It’s a motivation,” she said. “This is the first time this tournament has been played here in Zimbabwe.

“The girls are excited and I am sure they would like to prove a point at home. “The team has been in camp for the past three weeks and I believe our recent tour to Cape Town was also of great benefit. We are ready for this tournament.”

Zimbabwe yesterday had a rest day ahead of a busy schedule today where they face Tanzania and Uganda. They will clash with Kenya and Tanzania tomorrow and then all the teams rest on Monday. The team that finishes top of the table after two sets of the round robin matches will get the right to participate at the global qualifiers for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20.

Zimbabwe have kept faith in the squad that played the previous qualifiers with only a few alterations. Chipo Mugeri will lead the side which has other regulars like vice-captain Precious Marange, Pellagia Mujaji, Sharne Mayers, Tasmeen Granger, Loreen Tshuma and Ashley Ndiraya.

“This is a very strong squad with a lot of experienced players. Most of the girls have been there and they know what it is like. “However, tournaments such as this can be full of surprises. You can’t really tell beforehand who the difficult opponents will be. This year it could be Uganda, the other year Kenya and so on but l remember the last time we had hassles with Tanzania and we should be on the look for them this time around,” said Nyamande.

Zimbabwe had their final warm up with Kenya, who were the first to arrive during the week. The Kenyans, coached by Lameck Ng’oche, have former men’s star batsman Steve Tikolo, who has also played franchise cricket in Zimbabwe, as assistant coach-cum-team manager.

Tanzania had also arrived by yesterday afternoon while Uganda were expected in the evening for the tournament.

Zimbabwe squad
Chipo Mugeri (Captain), Precious Marange (Vice-Captain), Pellagia Mujaji, Mary-Anne Musonda, Josephine Nkomo, Loreen Tshuma, Modester Mupachikwa (Wicketkeeper), Nonhlanhla Nyathi, Esther Mbofana, Sharne Mayers (Wicketkeeper), Tasmeen Granger, Nomatter Mutasa, Ashley Ndiraya, Nomvelo Sibanda

Schedule

Today

Alexandra Sports Club

Zimbabwe vs Tanzania (9:30am);

Zimbabwe vs Uganda (2:00pm)

Country Club

Kenya vs Uganda (9:30am);

Kenya vs Tanzania (2:00pm)

Tomorrow

Alexandra Sports Club

Uganda vs Tanzania (9:30am)

Uganda vs Kenya (2:00pm)