The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE women have received a boost ahead of the three-match One Day International matches against Bangladesh at Queens Sports Club with Sharne Mayers available for the three matches.
Mayers, who is on the books of the Imperial Lions in South Africa has not played for Zimbabwe since the 2019 ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa held in Harare. Lady Chevrons coach, Adam Chifo is delighted to have the 29-year old Mayers who he said brings stability to the batting order. Australia based Anesu Mushangwe is still not available due to paper work issues.
“Sharne Mayers is arriving on Saturday, it’s a big boost in the batting line up, we are told she also now a wicketkeeper. She hasn’t played for the team since the 2019 World Cup so it’s good to have her back,’’ Chifo said.
The Lady Chevrons players, who have been fine tuning from their bases assembly in Bulawayo on Tuesday and start training on Wednesday.
Bangladesh, meanwhile arrive in the country on Sunday 7 November. Matches are lined up for 10, 12 and 15 November. Chifo, while he is concerned about injuries just before his team takes part in the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which starts on 21 November in Zimbabwe, feels his players will learn a lot from Bangladesh who are more experienced.
“We would have loved to play these matches earlier in the year. It’s big to have Bangladesh, we will benefit a lot from Bangladesh, they are experienced, they have played more international cricket than us,’’ he said.
For the three matches against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe will keep a squad of 18, which will be trimmed down to 15 for the qualifier.
Meanwhile, Tuskers recorded their first win in the Logan Cup when they defeated Rhinos by five wickets on the fourth and final day at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare yesterday.
Tuskers scored 363 in their first innings and 210/5 in their second innings to win it right at the end. Rhinos were 229 all out in their first innings and cleaned up for 342 in their second, which set Tuskers a victory target of 209.
After they drew their opening match against Southern Rocks, the win over Rhinos saw Tuskers move to second place with 15 points, five points behind Eagles who lost their third match by 120 runs to Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club. — @Mdawini_29
