adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers Cricket Franchise is taking another step towards reviving women’s cricket by having their women’s team participating in the men’s Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Cricket League.
Matabeleland Tuskers’ chief operations officer Samu Nkiwane confirmed the development yesterday and said the team will be known as Bird Eleven.
She said lack of funding is one of the factors that led to women’s cricket taking a nosedive but they have seen it proper to keep their women active by registering them in the third tier of the domestic league.
The Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Cricket First League which has powerhouses Emakhandeni, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Athletic Club and Roosters, starts tomorrow with the second and third leagues starting next week.
“We cannot afford to let women’s cricket die a natural death in Bulawayo and that is why we have decided to come up with Birds Eleven which we believe can compete competitively against their men counterparts. We are registered in the third league that will start next weekend and our hope is that we gain promotion to the next league next season.
“What we realised is that we stood to lose a significant number of female players who after finishing secondary education do not have clubs to play for.
Even our national team players were facing a situation whereby they could lose their form and we believe that Birds Eleven will address those challenges,” said Nkiwane.
In June, four Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise players were called up for the Zimbabwe senior women’s national team camp to prepare for July’s ICC Twenty World Cup Qualifiers in Ireland.
Former Zimbabwe Cricket Women’s Player of the Year Thandolwenkosi Mlilo led the Bulawayo contingent that had all-rounder Loreen Tshuma, Atida Sibanda and Tasmeen Granger.
The quartet is expected to lead Birds Eleven in their quest to win the third tier domestic league.
Other teams that are in the third league include ZRP Bulawayo, Knights, Nust, Cheetahs and Roosters B.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Cricket First League starts tomorrow with Queens Sports Club talking on BAC while Emakhandeni will face Roosters on Sunday.
All opening matches will be played at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of cricket, Queens Sports Club.
The Matabeleland Tuskers assistant area manager Victor Mhlanga said BAC and Emakhandeni venues would be ready for use next weekend.
“Our grounds personnel spent lots of time taking care of Queens Sports Club in anticipation of international matches and this is the only venue ready for use. Once all the leagues start, we will have other matches being played at BAC and Emakhandeni which should be ready anytime from next week,” Mhlanga said.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Queens Sports Club v BAC (Queens Sports Club)
Sunday: Emakhandeni v Roosters (Queens Sports Club)
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