Bongani Ndlovu
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
NEW Zealand U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup team, which is based in Bulawayo says it is utilising its stay in the country to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s rich history, culture and natural heritage.
On Wednesday, the young Black Caps toured the iconic Matopos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in an excursion that players and officials said went beyond leisure to become a meaningful learning experience about Zimbabwe.
In an interview with Zimpapers Business Hub at the World View site, team captain Tom Jones and team manager Michael Tillett spoke glowingly about Zimbabwe’s hospitality, describing the tour as refreshing, educational and eye-opening.
Tillett said the experience not only allowed the players to unwind from the demands of the rain-disrupted ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, but also broadened their perspective about Zimbabwe as a country.
“Obviously when you come on World Cup tours, or any tour, you want to see the country, experience the culture and the natural aspects that the country has to offer.
“So we are really fortunate today (Wednesday) to go and walk with rhinos, go up to the hills and see beautiful landscapes and some history in terms of the artefacts.
“And then what really finished it off for me was coming up to Cecil Rhodes’ gravesite and learning a little bit about the formation of the country.
“You know, not all history is pretty but it gave us a really cool understanding of what the country’s been through and where it is now and, you know, understanding a little bit about the Matebele people and looking at, you know, the monuments and the views from the gravesite itself.
“So yeah, a really cool day to understand Zimbabwe a little bit more culturally and also naturally.
“So we are really appreciative of what Zimbabwe tourism has done for us today and it’s going to give us some unique memories to take home to New Zealand.”
Team captain Jones echoed similar sentiments, saying the squad enjoyed touring the World Heritage Site and learning more about wildlife conservation, particularly the rhinos.
“The boys and I have been touring around the Matopo National Park today, which we have really enjoyed.
“We have been in Zimbabwe for about the last three weeks now and today’s been a really nice break from training, the weather obviously has not been in our favour for the last three weeks, but it’s been a really nice chance for the boys to sort of get away from cricket.”
Zimbabwe is co-hosting the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup with Namibia, with organisers encouraging visiting teams to sample the country’s leisure, cultural and heritage offerings during off days.
For the New Zealand youngsters, the Matopos excursion offered a refreshing balance between high-performance sport and leisure, allowing players to mentally reset, strengthen team bonds and gain a deeper appreciation of Zimbabwe’s natural beauty and complex history away from the pressures of international competition.
Team officials said the break would help sustain morale and focus as the tournament progresses, noting that such experiences are particularly important in youth sport, where enjoyment, recovery and exposure to different cultures form part of holistic player development.
Online Reporter