The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
WITH the fixtures out for the International Cricket World Cup Qualifier set for March in Zimbabwe now confirmed, Chevrons coach Heath Streak is targeting to win all the group matches in order to stand a chance of making it to England next year.
Zimbabwe, drawn in group B will on 4 March open their campaign in the 10-team competition against the runners up from the World Cricket League Division Two which concludes next month. Zimbabwe’s other opponents are Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Scotland.
The biggest fixture for Zimbabwe is without the clash against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club on 6 March. Streak is not concerned about facing Afghanistan on a spin friendly wicket. In nine One Day Internationals between the two teams played in Bulawayo, Afghanistan have won five times while Zimbabwe have triumphed in four of them.
“We are obviously happy to play at home. With the format every game is a must win so you get maximum points going to Super Sixes. Afghanistan at Queens is fine as wickets will be good and we know the conditions. They are a tough team as well as Scotland so we need to play consistently good cricket to have a chance at qualification,’’ Streak said.
He is anticipating a clash with the likes of West Indies, Ireland and Netherlands in the Super Sixes stage.
“If we can make Super Sixes then we have some big games, likely to be West Indies, Ireland possibly Netherlands who all good sides,’’ he said.
Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer said the Qualifier means so much to his team and the nation.
“It means so much to me, our team and the Zimbabweans in general that such a huge event will be taking place in our small but cricket-crazy country.
There is already a buzz around Zimbabwe over the qualifiers and we cannot wait to have the participating teams here and for the tournament to start,’’ Cremer said.
His belief is that Zimbabwe stand a great chance of qualifying since they will be playing at home but at the same time the Chevrons skipper is anticipating a tough tournament.
“Zimbabwe have a great chance of qualifying, especially at home. But we are aware the tournament will have many good teams and even the Associate sides can be very dangerous on their day. This means the tournament will be very tough, but if we play to our full potential I do not see an issue with us qualifying for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. In short, a thrilling tournament is on the cards,’’ said Cremer.
West Indies, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands and the winner of the World Cricket League Division Two make up group A.
From the group stage, the top three teams will progress to the Super Sixes with the final scheduled for Harare Sports Club on 25 March. The two teams that make it to the final will join the eight which automatically qualified through the ICC ODI Championship for the World Cup to be held from 14 May to 14 July 2019.
Entry into all the group matches is fee with fees only being charged from the Super Six stage. -@Mdawini_29
