Granger excited about New Zealand move

Simba Dube Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national women’s cricket team player Tasmeen Granger has proven to be a force to reckon with in both local and international scenes as she has been called up to play and coach a New Zealand women team, East Shirley Cricket Club. In the previous year, the 20-year-old Granger got an invitation to play for Can Am United, a women’s cricket team which is an all volunteer side of women from Canada and the United States and during her stint in USA she scooped a number of awards at all the tournaments she participated in.

Granger described the opportunity to go to New Zealand as an accomplishment that she has been hoping for, adding that she accepted the job without any hesitation.
“It is a great opportunity and it is something that I have planned on doing, so personally it’s a huge accomplishment. My appointment shows a vote of confidence to my country as a whole since we do have quality cricket. I took the job without any doubt as it will help me in gaining experience and knowledge of how the system in other countries works and what makes their women’s cricket team systems thrive. I think having such knowledge will be useful since we also have the raw talent locally to make a name for ourselves as a country,” said Granger.

Granger is a holder of Zimbabwe Cricket issued level one cricket coaching certificate and her new East Shirley contract which runs from next month through to April next year requires the 20-year-old cricketer to complete a level two coaching licence in New Zealand.

The national team’s right handed batter is also expected to be part of the cricket squad that will take part in the International Cricket Council Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 November to 5 December. Zimbabwe, under the mentorship of Bulawayo-based Trevor Phiri have been drawn in the same group with China, Netherlands and the host nation Thailand.

Asked to state the challenges that hinder the development of women cricket in the local scene, Granger pointed out that local cricket administrators had already addressed the challenges although it can be still considered as work in progress.

“I think it would be fair to say that some challenges have already started being addressed. Especially the frequency of training camps, the junior team development tours and I am happy we are getting the support in terms of sponsorship,” added Granger.