Joy as Lady Chevrons get Test, ODI status

04 Apr, 2021 - 00:04 0 Views
Joy as Lady Chevrons get Test, ODI status Lady Chevrons

The Sunday News

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
LAST Wednesday’s International Cricket Council board meeting brought joy for the Zimbabwe national women’s cricket team who now have Test as well as One Day International status.

At the meeting held over virtual conference call, the ICC decision makers decided that all Full Members should be granted permanent Test and ODI status. Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani was part of the meeting as an ICC board member.

“It was decided that Test and ODI status shall be permanently awarded to all Full Member women’s teams,’’ read part of the ICC Press release.

As a result of the ICC board decision, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe’s women teams will get to enjoy the same rights as other Full Members. Previously, in 2006 the ICC announced that only the top-10 ranked sides would have Test and ODI status. The Zimbabwean women only had Twenty20 International status, which meant any 50 over matches they played against fellow ICC Full Members were not classified as ODIs. It was the case when the Pakistan women’s team toured Zimbabwe in February.

The 50 overs match between the two teams at Harare Sports Club before Pakistan abandoned their visit to the country was not classified as an ODI because while the Javeria Khan led Pakistanis had ODI status, the Mary-Anne Musonda captained Zimbabweans were not at the same level. ZC managing director, Givemore Makoni wa excited by the ICC board’s decision and feels that this came as a result of investment and emphasis on women’s cricket done by ZC.

“This means a lot, we have put so much investment on the women’s game, for us to play with other Full Members, we needed the ODI status. This will give context to the women’s cricket, it makes it easier for us to organise bilateral tours,’’ Makoni said.

According to Makoni, when the Pakistan women toured the country in February, ZC spent a lot of money arranging a bio bubble for both teams and that meant booking them into a top hotel in Harare.

“It means people are recognising our efforts that we are making in terms of women’s cricket. During Pakistan a lot of money was spent for a friendly, it doesn’t make sense,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, consultations are taking place at ZC on the format to be played next by the country’s five provinces after the conclusion of the Logan Cup. Initially, the provinces were meant to shift to 50 overs cricket from Monday but the players were released from the bio bubble, with indications being that the next competition is starting on Saturday.

Makoni said there has been a delay in the arrival of coloured clothing for the provinces and a decision will now be made in consultation with the Lalchand Rajput led technical team. Chances are high the provinces will clash with each other in the Twenty20 format seeing that Pakistan are coming to Zimbabwe for Tests and Twenty20 Internationals.

Southern Rocks are the 2020/21 Logan Cup champions after they won all the four matches they played. Eagles were runners up, followed by Rhinos and Tuskers. Mountaineers, who have dominated this format of the game finished at the bottom of the log with one draw and three losses. — @Mdawini_29

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