Gary Brent’s festive season challenge to Lady Chevrons

24 Dec, 2023 - 00:12 0 Views
Gary Brent’s festive season challenge to Lady Chevrons Gary Brent

Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER the senior women’s national cricket team breathtaking performances during the recently ended 2023 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Africa Qualifier where they managed to complete a clean sweep of all their matches, Gary Brent has warned his charges to guard against complacency during this festive season.

Their triumph in Uganda meant they will now proceed to the last hurdle which is ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2024 to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early next year.

In that regard, it is no wonder that Brent has called on the girls to remain focused at a period when everyone is in a merry mood.

“It’s that time of the year that people are meant to relax. After our recently concluded tour there is a need for Lady Chevrons to relax. However, they should highly consider maintaining their fitness levels. There is also a need for them to maintain those energy levels,” said Brent.

Lady Chevrons

His call also comes at a time when Cricket Ireland has confirmed their senior women’s national team is set to tour Zimbabwe for a white-ball series against the Lady Chevrons scheduled for mid-January.

The eight-match white ball series will headline the start of a busy international schedule for both teams. This will be Ireland Women’s first visit to Zimbabwe in over two years having last toured in October 2021.

Zimbabwe and Ireland will be using the series as part of their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. They are scheduled to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20Is.

In announcing the tour, Cricket Ireland also named their squad for the series. Their team will be led by Laura Delany, their most capped female cricketer. Also part of the team is youngster Amy Hunter, who in 2021 became the youngest ever player to score a century in ODIs at just the age of 16.

The tour will be kicked off by the three ODIs which are scheduled for 18, 21 and 23 January before the 20-over matches follow, starting on 26  January.

After the first T20I, the following matches are scheduled for January 28, 30, February 1 and 2.

In a statement from Cricket Ireland, team selector Ciara O’Brien said they are expecting a tough encounter against the Lady Chevrons and the series will play a big role in helping them prepare for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. — @FungaiMuderere

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