Local Premier cricket action key to growth

NATIONAL Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast tournament director, Wonder Chisango has said the country’s on-going premier club cricket competition is key to the growth and development of the game in Zimbabwe.

Chisango told Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) at Harare Sports Club that it’s great watching budding talent playing alongside their heroes.

He said they have provided the right platform for the youngsters to grow and develop their game.

The ongoing NPL T20 Blast features eight clubs in the 45-over version of the tournament. The eight teams that made the T20 Blast are SOGO Rangers, Takashinga Patriots 1, Gladiators Cricket Club, Westside Cricket Club, Rainbow Cricket Club, Takashinga Patriots 2, Mbizo Cricket Club and Queens Cricket Club.

“We are looking at developing young and upcoming players. You see the likes of Ryan Kamwemba who was signed by Takashinga 2 from Strikers. He is a former Zimbabwe Under-19 wicketkeeper and these are the kind of things we want to see.

“We want to see young players stepping up and also playing with their role models. Imagine growing up looking up to people like Ngarava, Muzarabani and now playing with them. So, that kind of thing is what we are looking at. We are also looking at making sure that we tap into the untapped talent we have in the country,” said Chisango.

Players who have had a splendid outing in the tournament include Jayden Schadendorf. The 25-year-old, who is in the books of SOGO Rangers, is the tournament’s leading run-scorer. He has scored two centuries and a half-century in seven innings.

Zimbabwe Under-19 international, Panashe Taruvinga has also had a good campaign. The 18-year-old Gladiators batter is the second leading run-scorer with 264 runs, including a century and a half-century.

Benjamin Banks of SOGO Rangers has also had a good season, picking up 11 wickets in seven innings, and he is the fourth leading wicket-taker behind Wellington Masakadza (14 wickets), Tapiwa Mufudza (12 wickets) and Munashe Zata (11 wickets).

Apart from assisting with the development of cricket, Chisango said the tournament also helps keep national team players fit and in the right condition.

He said the tournament had also attracted players from outside Zimbabwe.

“We have T20 Qualifiers coming up in Kenya in about two months, and it’s an opportunity for the national selectors and coaches to see up-and-coming talent in this tournament.

“We want this to be an international tournament of some sort. I am happy that it has aroused some interest from some African countries. We have a couple of players from Nigeria and it’s impressive that they take our tournament with the best regard, and we are happy as organisers,” he said.

Only four teams remain in the tournament as it is drawing to its conclusion. Table-topping SOGO Rangers are set to face second-placed Takashinga Patriots 1 in the first qualifier where the winner will book a spot in the final.

The loser of the qualifier will face the winner of the eliminator pitting Westside and Gladiators. The two teams will then fight for the remaining spot in the final.

The match between Rangers and Takashinga 1 is set for Harare Sports Club this afternoon before Westside and Gladiators face off in a 6pm encounter at the same venue. – @brandon_malvin