Lady Chevrons, Uganda make history

ZIMBABWE senior women’s national cricket team and Uganda made history when they became the first international teams to play a cricket match at the Omtex Cricket Institute in Saphale, India on Sunday.

Both the Lady Chevrons and Victoria Pearls are in India as part of their preparations for two major tournaments lined up soon.

The two will be competing at the upcoming All-Africa Games in March before going on to represent the continent at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April.

During the historic encounter, the Lady Chevrons – who are now under the full time tutelage of Walter Chawaguta – proved a formidable side over the Victoria Pearls as they won the low scoring practice match by just two runs following a brilliant Kelis Ndhlovu all round performance.

The match also saw the return of the experienced Sharne Mayers who missed the Lady Chevrons’ home white-ball series against Ireland in Harare in January.

However, it was not a rosy return for the 31-year-old with the bat but had a brilliant time out in the middle while fielding.

Tasmeen Granger also returned to the Lady Chevrons set-up.

Batting first, the Lady Chevrons were restricted to 122/6 in their 20 overs before going on to limit Uganda to 120/6 to win a nail-biting low scoring game.

**Lady Chevrons skipper Mary Anne Musonda (left) with an OMTEX ICWC official and Uganda Women captain Concy Aweko**

Opening the batting, teenage sensation Ndhlovu top scored for Zimbabwe with a brilliant half century which was the only one to be scored in the match. Ndhlovu scored 62 runs off just 44 balls while the skipper Mary Anne Musonda made 20 runs from 15 deliveries. Granger was the third leading run scorer with 13 off 17 balls.

Janet Mbabazi and Immaculate Nakisuyi took two scalps apiece for the Vitoria Pearls, conceding 18 and 23 runs respectively.

In their defence, Francisca Chipare finished with figures of 2/22 in her three overs for the Lady Chevrons while Ndhlovu, (1/13), Precious Marange (1/16), Lindokuhle Mabhero (1/19) and Loryn Phiri (1/25) took the other wickets. Ndhlovu was named Player of the Match

Kevin Awino top scored for Uganda with 26 runs off 32 balls while Phinona Kulume remained undefeated on 21 runs off 15 deliveries.

The Lady Chevrons are in India for a 10-day training camp as part of the two upcoming international events with the World Cup Qualifiers being key.

Chawaguta described the training camp in India as key in the team’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.

The Indian training camp will focus on intensive skill sessions while it also accords the team with a bonding session.

After the training camp, the Lady Chevrons have three tours lined up as part of the build-up to the World Cup global qualifiers.

Among the three tours lined up as part of the preparations is a series against Papua New Guinea while the team will have a dance at the All Africa Games scheduled for next month in Ghana.

Chawaguta believes the All-Africa Games and the three tours will play a pivotal role in gauging Zimbabwe’s readiness for the global qualifiers. The Lady Chevrons have been in India since last Tuesday. – @brandon_malvin