The Sunday News
Bruce Chimani Sports Correspondent
THE ZIMBABWE Women’s cricket team continued their dominance in continental cricket when they qualified for the second round global qualifiers set for Thailand in July next year. Zimbabwe finished at the apex of the standings at the ICC Pepsi Africa Women’s Trophy final against Tanzania in Benoni, South Africa despite the fact that the encounter was rained off. However, following the encounter in which they shared a point each with Tanzania, Zimbabwe were confirmed champions. Six teams took part in the qualifiers and these included Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and a South Africa Invitational XI, that has already qualified for the Thailand episode by virtue of that country being a Test playing nation.
Zimbabwe failed to make it to the top four at the last global qualifiers in Ireland after they finished fifth.
Bulawayo-based national women’s cricket team players Tasmeen Granger and Sharne Mayers expressed optimism, on the country’s chances of making it to sixth ICC World T20 tournament set for India in 2016.
“We have a really good team and we have been improving since and it honestly has been a good year for the team,” said Granger, who is also the captain of the Bulawayo-based cricket franchise Tuskers.
Granger had every reason to celebrate as she has also been invited for the 4th Annual Atlanta Women’s T20 Cricket Championships, organised by the Georgia Women Cricket Association Atlanta, Georgia. Arguably Zimbabwe’s most prominent female cricketer, Granger turns out for Can-Am United, in the United States were she has already received rave reviews.
“Some of the highlights of the game that we saw were when the skipper, Chipo Mugeri dominating the games. She was actually the batsman of the tournament. Also, we saw Precious Marange, Ashley Ndiraya and Mugeri also being picked as women of the match for some of the games we played.”
“I had taken a year-long break from cricket to concentrate on my studies and it’s good to be back in the team. It’s really great to see the level of competition that we have in the team. So many of the younger players are playing so well and it’s a great challenge for especially the older players.
“I personally have to improve on the bat — and its work that I need to focus on and work on without more ado,” said Mayers.
Mayers, who is a right arm off break bowler, is now a qualified history and geography teacher.
Results:
Zimbabwe — 150 for 4 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri 68, Modester Mupachikwa 44; I. Van Zyl 3/32)Namibia — 102 for 5 in 20 overs (C. Esterhuysen 22; Audrey Mazvishaya 2/19, Precious Marange 1/15) — Zimbabwe won by 48 runs.
Tanzania — 61 all out in 19.4 overs (M. Iddi 28; Precious Marange 3/14, Thando Mlilo 3/16) Zimbabwe — 63 for 4 in 10.4 overs (Lorraine Tshuma 24*, Precious Marange 14*, M. Shakim 2/15) — Zimbabwe won by six wickets.
Zimbabwe — 88 for 7 in 20 overs (Precious Marange 25*, Chipo Mugeri 19; Akona Nyiki 2/16, Ayabonga Khaka 2/11)
SA Invitational XI — 89 for 4 in 18 overs (Andrie Steyn 25, Nikita Sole 19; Josephine Nkomo 3/13, Christabel Chatonzwa 1/13) — SA Invitational XI won by 6 wickets.
Kenya — 61 for 5 in 20 overs (Sylvia Kinyua 18*; Esther Mbofana 1/10, Audrey Mazvishaya 1/14) Zimbabwe — 62 for 1 in 10.2 overs (Ashley Ndiraya 27*, Chipo Mugeri 18; S. Bhakita 1/24) Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets.
Uganda — 70 for 8 in 20 overs (N. Kayondo 13; Tasmeen Granger 3/18, Esther Mbofana 2/11), Zimbabwe — 72 for 1 in 12.4 overs (Chipo Mugeri 49*, Modester Mupachikwa 16; C Aweko 1/25) — Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets.
