adminNgoni Dapira
ZIMBABWE’s national women’s cricket captain and top-order batter, Chipo Mugeri, believes the Botswana bound Under-19 women’s cricket team will dominate at the tournament just like last years. The team which left for Gaborone yesterday (Thursday) will take part in the four-nation tournament which starts today running to Monday. Zimbabwe will join Mozambique, Namibia and the hosts in the 40-overs tournament which will be played in a round-robin format.
Mugeri said nearly half of the players in the U-19 side were in the senior national team, meaning they have plenty of experience. The squad is boosted by the availability of national team players like Audrey Mazvishaya, Josephine Nkomo, Modester Mupachikwa, Anesu Mushangwe and Nomatter Mutasa.
“They have the talent to win the tournament, with half the team in the senior national side, while players like Josephine are bound to shine having taken part in the tournament last year,” said Mugeri who was the best batter of the tournament last year with 123-runs including an unbeaten century against Namibia.
At last year’s tournament, all-rounder Josephine was named the player of the tournament after scoring 85-runs and five wickets. Another player part of the squad, Ellen Tshuma, was also named the wicket keeper of the tournament last year. Women’s cricket coordinator, Caroline Nyamande, said the team had enough preparations for the tournament and she was expecting the girls to win all their matches.
“We are excited to take part in this competition as we are giving exposure to our feeder team to prepare them for when they make the national squad.
“The squad held was in camp over the past two weeks together with the senior national women’s squad,” said Nyamande.
Squad: Audrey Mazvishaya (captain); Francesca Chipare, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa, Charlene Musadaidzwa, Anesu Mushangwe, Nomatter Mutasa’ Josephine Nkomo, Rumbidzai Nhire, Nontando Nyathi, Nomvelo Sibanda, Ellen Tshuma and Loreen Tshuma.
Online Reporter