Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has announced two squads that will play against English counties, Durham and Glamorgan, in three-day matches scheduled to get underway in Harare today.
The two Zimbabwean squads, Northerns and Southerns are both made up of 14 players each picked from various franchise teams around the country.
The county teams, who are among the top first-class clubs within the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, are visiting Zimbabwe as part of their pre-season programmes.
The tour will start off with Durham facing Southerns and Glamorgan taking on Northerns in the three-day matches scheduled for 4-6 March at Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians Sports Club, respectively.
Zimbabwe’s two squads are a mixture of young upcoming stars and experienced campaigners who have been in the game for some time. Young players such as Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell and Joylord Gumbie made the cut alongside the Tuskers group of Ernest Masuku, Ainsley Ndlovu, Nkosana Mpofu, Clive Madande, Tanunurwa Makoni and Luke Jongwe who have been performing throughout the domestic season.
Chevrons batting coach, Stuart Matsikenyeri will be in charge of the Northerns side as head coach, with Eric Chauluka (assistant coach), Steve Kirby (bowling coach), Mufaro Chiturumani (analyst/manager) and Amato Machikicho (physiotherapist) completing the team’s technical set-up.
Walter Chawaguta, Tuskers’ head coach will take charge of the Southerns and will be working with Douglas Hondo (assistant coach), Njabulo Ncube (bowling coach/manager), Keith Kulinga (analyst) and Travor Wambe (physiotherapist).
After the three-day matches, six T20 matches set for 8, 9 and 10 March at Harare Sports Club will follow and four 50-over matches pencilled in for 12 and 14 March will then wrap up the tour.
Durham will be returning to Zimbabwe after their stint in 2020 was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while their counterparts, Glamorgan, will be in Zimbabwe for the first time since 1995. The two teams have arrived in the country.
NORTHERNS: Akram Faraz, Gumbie Joylord, Gwandu Trevor, Jaure Keith, Madhevere Wessly, Makoni Tanunurwa, Maruma Timycen, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Mashinge William, Masuku Ernest, Masvaure Prince, Munyonga Tony, Ndlovu Ainsley, Tsiga Tafadzwa
SOUTHERNS: Bennett Brian, Campbell Johnathan, Chesa Priviledge, Chivanga Tanaka, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Roy, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Maunze Kudzai, Mpofu Nkosana, Mufudza Tapiwa, Mumba Carl, Mutumbami Richmond, Tiripano Donald. – @brandon_malvin
Blessing Chizhande
Bongani Ndlovu