adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
NATIONAL cricket team batsman Tino Mawoyo says the Zimbabwe Under-19 team need to make the most of the remaining time ahead of next month’s youth cricket World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirate if they hope to make an impression.The opening batsman, who captained one of the most successful national Under-19 sides at the World Cup in 2004, said the current Zimbabwe team’s performances in their recent tour of South Africa should be a big wake-up call ahead of the global showcase.
The national youth team, which took part in the Cricket South Africa Franchise Cubs Week, had a difficult time against the local sides as they lost four of their five matches during the five-day tournament.
Zimbabwe were using the outing as part of the preparations for the ICC Under-19 World Cup which begins on February 14. They have been placed in the same group with South Africa, West Indies and Canada.
Mawoyo yesterday said the team should invest more time and energy into their preparations following that poor show in South Africa.
“I think it all boils down to the issue of preparations. I don’t know for how long these guys had trained together before they left for South Africa. I heard some of them were writing examinations and probably it could be that they did not have enough time to train as a team.
“But they have another month or so to prepare for the World Cup and they would need to make the most of the time that they have. Of course results haven’t been coming as much as everybody would have liked but sometimes it is good to be beaten because it will help you see where exactly you need to work on.
“Let’s give them the encouragement they need. They have a good coach in Walter Chawaguta who has been to a number of World Cups before and his experience will surely be of great help. All they need now is to stay positive and work hard,” said Mawoyo.
The youth team had a torrid time in South Africa against franchise teams as they lost their first game against Cape Cobras by six wickets before slumping to another six-wicket defeat to Unlimited Titans in their second match. Zimbabwe suffered a third successive defeat when they slumped to a 134-run thrashing by Highveld Lions.
Chawaguta’s men recorded their only victory of the series when they edged out Chevrolet Warriors by two wickets before going down again in the last match in a 97-run defeat to Sunfoil Dolphins.
“I don’t think it’s a question of lack of talent or our talent reserves running dry. We have good talent here but these guys need to get more exposure to highly competitive cricket.
“If we could have many tournaments in schools like the T20s held at St. Johns we can be able to get the most out of our promising young player. It’s a matter of nurturing that which we have and to give them the platform to flourish.
“Our Under-19 team (in 2004) had many players who had made it to first class cricket before we even went to the World Cup. There were guys like Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Graeme Cremer, Tanashe Panyangara and Colin de Grandhomme who went on to play for New Zealand.
“Then we used to play cricket at school throughout the year, mostly three-day games which I think were very competitive.
“Normally it can take players five to six years on the horizons of international cricket after playing at the youth level but if you look at our group, most of the guys went on straight to play international cricket.
“I think we were also fortunate to play against some of the country’s best players then like the Flowers, Andy Blignaut, Heath Streak and others. That is why I’m saying these Under-19 guys also need this exposure, even on the domestic front,” said Mawoyo.
Mawoyo was the captain of the Under-19 team in 2004 which had a fantastic run beating giants Australia and New Zealand along the way to finish fifth.
Online Reporter