The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
AS the Zimbabwe national Under-19 cricket team departs this afternoon for the International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup to be held in the West Indies, coach Prosper Utseya has lamented the difficult preparations his lads have had.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to schools cricket not taking place in 2020 and this year, at a time the Zimbabwean juniors should have been busy preparing for next month’s tournament. Over the years, tours to South Africa have been arranged for the Zimbabwe Under-19, something they could not do this year.
Utseya believes they have done their best when it comes to preparations for the tournament. Zimbabwe are in Group C together with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
“What I can say is that we have done our best under the circumstances because there has not been any schools cricket for the last two years. I can’t say we are adequately prepared.
They have only played cricket when we had camps, we have not had the full squad throughout the camp, even the technical department has not been able to be there all the time,’’ said Utseya.
Lack of game time is a worrying factor for Utseya who feels that the current crop is not as talented as the group he took to South Africa for the same tournament last year.
“These players are lacking game time, we don’t know how they will do when we play internationals.
Talent is there, there are some decent players but not as talented as the previous group,’’ he said.
Zimbabwe, who land in Barbados tomorrow are playing in a triangular series against Ireland and the United States of America.
The Zimbabwean juniors face their Ireland and USA counterparts twice.
Further action is lined up for the Emmanuel Bawa captained Zimbabweans when they take on Canada and Bangladesh in practice matches.
Utseya feels that six matches are not enough but that is what is there so his lads will look to get the best out of those warm up fixtures.
“Six matches, to be honest I can’t say it’s enough but that is what is there, we don’t know the level of cricket that Ireland and USA compared to the team we will be facing but it’s better than not having practice matches at all,’’ Utseya said.
Zimbabwe ended 11th at the last tournament in South Africa, which meant that they secured automatic qualification for this year’s event.
Utseya’s first priority is to make sure that they finish inside the top 11 in order to avoid going through the qualification process for the 2024 World Cup.
“We obviously want to do well, without raising high expectations, we are also looking to do well. Considering our preparations, what we can do is secure a spot for the next World Cup.
If the guys play to their potential, there is an outside chance of doing well,’’ said Utseya.
In the build up to the tournament, the Zimbabwe Under-19 played six matches against Select XI, won three and lost the same number of fixtures.
With the team having won two of the last three matches, Utseya believes that they are in form going to the World Cup.
“We played total of six matches against Zimbabwe Select XI, won three lost three. From the last three, we won two of them so the boys have good form going to the World Cup.”
Bawa, the team leader is only survivor from the side that represented Zimbabwe from the last ICC Under-19 World Cup played in South Africa at the beginning of last year.
Zimbabwe Under-19 squad: Emmanuel Bawa (captain), Brian Bennett (vice-captain), David Bennett, Victor Chirwa, Mgcini Dube, Alex Falao, Tendekai Mataranyika, Tashinga Makoni, Connor Mitchell, Steven Saul, Matthew Schonken, Panashe Taruvinga, Matthew Welch, Rogan Wolhuter, Ngenyasha Zvinoera
Non- travelling reserves: Aisha Chibanda, Tanaka Zvaita, Luyanda Mtomba, Tadiwanashe Mwale, Declan Rugg
Head coach: Prosper Utseya
Batting coach: Elton Chigumbura
Team manager: Dilip Chouhan
Physiotherapist: Anesu Mupotaringa
Convener of selectors: Moses Chitare— @Mdawini_29
