Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere
[email protected]
“OUR goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”
These words are certainly ringing true into the ears of Lady Chevrons duo of all-rounder Kelis Ndhlovu and bowler Nomvelo Sibanda who have batted their way to the world amid revelations that they have been invited to the third edition of the Fairbreak Invitational set to be played in the United States of America (USA) from September 14 to 30.
It will be debut appearances for the duo where they will join Lady Chevrons captain Mary Anne Musonda at the global cricket extravaganza that undertakes to deliver equal opportunities for female cricketers from all corners of the globe. Thus, Fairbreak and USA Cricket are supporting gender equity and the advancement of women’s and girl’s cricket globally.
Musona has played in all the two previous editions of the Fairbreak Invitational.
Ndhlovu’ abilities cannot be doubted as she emerged the best player in both domestic tournaments played this year. She was voted Player of the Tournament in the Fifty50 Challenge and Women’s T20 Cup.
Earlier this year, she captained Zimbabwe in the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
She made her debut for Zimbabwe as a 16-year-old in 2022 in Namibia. In that debut series, she and Sharne Mayers hit an unbeaten 158 first wicket partnership.
The inaugural Fairbreak Invitational T20 took place in partnership with Cricket Hong Kong in Dubai in May 2022. Following on from the success of Fairbreak Invitational, and with the continued support and backing of Cricket Hong Kong, the other contest was held in April this year at Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong.
With a follow-up tournament scheduled for September in the USA, Fairbreak Global will now be reportedly conducting two tournaments per year.
Six teams comprising some of the biggest names in women’s first-class cricket and outstanding players from associate member nations around the globe, will play each other in both two-week tournaments. All matches will be broadcast internationally.
Meanwhile, Musonda has had a brilliant start to Cricket Ireland’s 2023 Women Super Series T20 tournament as she is sitting on top of the batting charts with most runs scored so far.
Musonda, who is playing for Scorchers, is the three-team league’s leading run scorer with 153 runs from five matches and as many innings. From the matches played, the Lady Chevrons skipper has a high score of 71 runs not out, the league’s highest individual score so far. She has a strike rate of 96,23.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwean star has an average of 51 with the bat. She is one of the six overseas players taking part in the league.
In second place with the most runs in the competition, Musonda is followed by Amy Hunter who has scored 126 runs in five matches at an average 31,50 and has a high score of 60 runs which is also the second highest individual score.
Hunter also holds the third highest individual score of 46 runs.
Musonda’s high score came on Sunday where she helped her team register a 25 runs win over Typhoons. Scorchers finished on 121/3, courtesy of the Zimbabwean’s unbeaten half century. She was supported by Gaby Lewis who fell for 20 runs.
In their defence, Musonda took three catches to help her side bowl out their opponents for 96 runs in 19,2 overs. Sophie MacMahon starred with the ball for Scorchers, taking a five-wicket haul as she finished with figures of 5/12 in 3,2 overs.
Ellie McGee took three scalps, giving away 17 runs in her four over spell. Typhoons’ Mary Waldron top scored with 16 runs off 20 deliveries.
— @FungaiMuderere.
Online Reporter