Online Reporter
AT the age of just 14, Andy Blignaut hit five sixes in an over for Falcon College against St John’s College.
The Harare side were by now probably sick and tired of his brilliance as, during the previous season, he had taken seven wickets for seven runs against them.
Not surprisingly, Blignaut rose to become an all-rounder for the Chevrons and represented his country at the World Cup.
Now, his twin boys — Michael and Kain —have followed their father’s path after being named in the Zimbabwe squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup next month.
Like their father, the 17-year-old twins are both capable with bat and ball and will get the chance to show their capabilities on home soil with Zimbabwe drawn in Group C alongside England, Pakistan and Scotland.
Pacer Simbarashe Mudzengerere will lead Zimbabwe at the tournament after he was named captain, while the squad also features top-order batter Nathaniel Hlabangana who appeared at the most recent edition of the U19 World Cup in South Africa in 2024.
Zimbabwe coach Elton Chigumbura is thrilled with the balance of his squad and believes the team is capable of producing some good results.
“I’m very pleased with the squad. We have a well-balanced team with good depth in all departments,” he said.
“This group has worked extremely hard over the last 16 to 18 months and they have shown consistent growth.
“A few players who performed well missed out, but final decisions were based purely on team balance and the combinations we need for World Cup cricket.”
Chigumbura said his team will approach the tournament looking to win all their group matches and qualify for the Super Six phase.
“We are going in with a winning mindset. This group can compete with, and beat, the best teams,” he said.
“Success will come from executing our processes, staying disciplined and sticking to our roles.
“If we do that consistently, we give ourselves a real chance to go all the way.”
Zimbabwe start their campaign at the U-19 World Cup against Scotland at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on January 15.
Zimbabwe squad: Simbarashe Mudzengerere (c), Kian Blignaut, Michael Blignaut, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Brendon Senzere, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Takudzwa Makoni, Panashe Mazai, Webster Madhidhi, Shelton Mazvitorera, Kupakwashe Muradzi, Brandon Ndiweni, Dhruv Patel, Benny Zuze – Sports Reporter/ZimCricket
