Zim team ready for Bowls champs

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere in WINDHOEK, Namibia.
Zimbabwe teams had a feel of the greens here yesterday ahead of the start of the Africa States bowls tournament today.
Both Zimbabwean and Zambian bowlers spent the afternoon practicing at the Windhoek Country Club, taking advantage of the fact that they were the first teams to arrive for the prestigious tournament.
Hosts Namibia also had a practice session yesterday.
The other countries were expected to arrive last night.

South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Swaziland are the other teams that are taking part in this annual tournament.
The Africa States get underway today and will run throughout the week at two different venues.

The men’s matches will be held at Eros Bowling Club while the women’s teams will battle at the Windhoek Country Club.
The bowlers will compete in the Fours, Trips, Pairs and Singles.

Zimbabwe will be represented by Masters Champion Tom Craven, National Champion Roy Garden, Clive Robertson, one of the country’s best bowlers, and club’s champion Mike Eaton.

Pierre De Villiers is the new boy in the established Zimbabwe team.
The Zimbabwe Fours team will feature Craven, Robertson, De Villers and Eaton while the Trips will have Robertson, Craven and De Villiers.
Garden and Eaton will play the Pairs before Garden plays the Singles section.

In women’s category, Masters champion Mel James is expected to make a huge impact here and so is the country’s top bowler Kerry Craven.
Mel will play the Fours with Heather Singleton, Kerry Craven and Ally Dale.

James will also feature in the Pairs with Jane Rigby.
Craven said they had a good practice session.
“We had a good afternoon of practice, the greens were playing well, it will be a good tournament,” said Craven.