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Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS preparations for next year’s International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup preparations gather momentum Zimbabwe and Ireland are set to use the upcoming five match ODI series to measure either side’s state of preparedness for the global showcase.
An exciting series is on the cards between the two sides who have already sealed their places at the 16th edition of the World Cup.
The five-day series begins today at Harare Sports Club and both the Zimbabwe and Ireland Under-19 coaches have described the series as a crucial one in their preparations.
Ireland Under-19 coach Peter Johnston reckoned that the series will be a learning experience.
The Irish are also using the matches to familiarise themselves with the environment in Zimbabwe.
This is because they will be back in the country in January for the World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with Namibia.
“This tour will expose the players to strong competition and allow them to experience different conditions.
“With the next ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, we may well end up back in Harare in January 2026.
“So, it will be a great learning experience,” said Johnston.
Johnston is expecting a competitive series against the Young Chevrons.
He has been impressed by the quality of the previous match-ups between the two sides.
“We have also had some good battles with Zimbabwe Under-19 Men over the last number of years.
“We played each other in a four-match series in Barbados, prior to the Under-19 Men’s World Cup in 2022, crossing paths again in the Plate semi-final on route to the final.
“Prior to the 2024 Under-19 Men’s World Cup in South Africa, we played each other three times as part of our build up,” J0hnston said.
The Ireland coach said he was happy with the opportunity for competition which his teenage cricketers will be exposed to in the run up to the World Cup.
“This is an exciting tour for the squad and a great opportunity for the players to get some competitive cricket after a long winter,” said Johnston.
Zimbabwe coach Elton Chigumbura, said the series will give an opportunity to his technical department to work on fine-tuning the team’s combinations ahead of the World Cup.
“For us as coaches in the series we are looking for the best combinations going to the World Cup.
“I am happy with this opportunity that we are playing against Ireland and this series will help us see where we are,” said Chigumbura.
Online Reporter