Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
THE Lady Chevrons step into history at Queens Sports Club today, with South Africa providing the opposition in a landmark encounter that promises to test just how far Zimbabwe’s women’s game has come.
For the first time, South Africa’s senior women’s side are touring Zimbabwe, bringing one of Africa’s strongest teams to Bulawayo for a five-match T20I series.
But while the occasion is historic, Zimbabwe are not interested in simply enjoying the moment.
They want to compete.
They want to test themselves against a side ranked fifth in the ICC Women’s T20I standings and, perhaps most importantly, show the progress they have made in recent years.
Lady Chevrons all-rounder Nomvelo Sibanda said the mood in the Zimbabwe camp had been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s exciting times ahead and an exciting series. Everyone is happy that we are playing South Africa for the first time. It’s very positive hence the excitement positive,” said Sibanda.
That excitement is matched by a healthy dose of respect from the visitors.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said the Proteas were looking forward to the series, but made it clear that Zimbabwe would not be taken lightly.
“We are very excited to be here. We have a new squad, a couple of youngsters and we are looking forward to playing some good cricket. Zimbabwe are a side who have improved a lot in the last few years, so we are really excited for the games,” said Wolvaardt.
“We are not taking the game lightly. Looking at the video footage, Zimbabwe have some quality players.”
Those words will provide encouragement for a Zimbabwe side entering a new phase under substantive head coach Mark Coles.
Today’s match is Coles’ first assignment since taking charge, giving him an immediate opportunity to begin shaping the Lady Chevrons while measuring his team against formidable opposition.
The Proteas also arrive with an imposing pedigree.
They have finished runners-up at the last two editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and will naturally start the series as favourites.
Zimbabwe, however, have reasons to believe they can make the contest competitive.
Captain Josephine Nkomo is back after missing the white-ball tour of Pakistan in May because of injury, and today will be her first assignment as substantive captain since her confirmation in the role.
Veteran batter Sharne Mayers has also returned to the national fold after two years away, bringing valuable experience to a 17-member squad that also includes a number of exciting young players.
Nyasha Gwanzura is another returnee, while experienced campaigners Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Loreen Tshuma and Loryn Phiri have retained their places.
Zimbabwe have also opened the door for the next generation.
Under-19 captain Lorraine Pemhiwa, Beloved Biza and Christina Mutasa have all been rewarded for their performances at last week’s ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier
Division One in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Their inclusion provides Coles with an opportunity to blend experience with youth as Zimbabwe continues rebuilding after a disappointing campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal earlier this year.
Today’s match is also significant because of where it is being played.
The Lady Chevrons are returning to Queens after their UAE bilateral series at the Stadium last year. They have been on tours in New Zealand and Pakistan.
Now they have five opportunities in familiar surroundings to test themselves against South Africa.
The two senior sides have met only twice before and both encounters coming during an ODI quadrangular series in Potchefstroom in May 2017. Zimbabwe have also played South Africa’s
Emerging side on several occasions but this series represents a different challenge.
The remaining matches will be played at Queens on September 13, 15, 17 and 19.
For the Lady Chevrons, therefore, today is about more than the opening result.
It is a chance to welcome one of Africa’s cricketing giants to Zimbabwe, embrace the occasion and prove that the country’s women’s game belongs to this stage.
