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HEROES OF ‘82 . . . The Zimbabwe national cricket team pose for a group photo at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, before the start of the ICC Trophy Cup in England

Sports Reporter
AS Zimbabwe begin to prepare for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier to be held here next March, the Chevrons can pluck a leaf from the pioneer crew which won the 1982 ICC Trophy in England to book their place at the global showcase the following year.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the year when the Zimbabweans went to England and won the 1982 ICC Cricket Trophy which was a limited overs tourney held between June 16 and July 10 that year. Zimbabwe defeated Bermuda in the final to qualify for the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Bad weather hampered the tournament throughout with a lot of matches being called off or abandoned. The 16 teams were drawn into two groups of eight and Zimbabwe topped their group. There were four points for a win and two for a no-result and the top two teams in each group went forward to the semi-finals.

Zimbabwe started the tournament in style by crushing the United States 191 runs with Dave Houghton and Kevin Curran putting together a 214-run second wicket partnership. Houghton scored 135 while Curran weighed in with an unbeaten 126. Peter Rawson then starred with the ball, taking 4-34, as the Americans were blown away for just 141 runs.

Rawson ended with 14 wickets in the 68.1 overs he bowled at an average of 12.62 with his best return being 3/34. Dave Houghton scored 308 runs while Curran scored 276 runs. Zimbabwe powered into the semi-finals and reduced Bangladesh to 45/4 with Curran starring with the ball as he retained figures of 4-31.

In reply to the Asians 124, the Zimbabweans powered to an easy eight-wicket win. Duncan Fletcher took 3/34 in the final against Bermuda who could only get to 231/8 from their 60 overs. But, despite having slumped to 30/2, the Zimbabweans found a way back and half centuries from Andy Pycroft who scored 82, and Craig Hodgson (57 not out) powered the Chevrons home with more than five overs to spare.

With that they secured a ticket to the World Cup the following year.

Heroes of ‘82

(Only players who appeared in at least one match at the tournament are listed)

Robin Brown, Ian Butchart, Kevin Curran, Maqbul Dudhia, Duncan Fletcher, Jack Heron, Craign Hodgson, Vince Hogg, Edwin Hough, Dave Houghton, Andy Pycroft, Peter Rawson,John Traicos, Gary Wallace