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Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Under-19 cricket team coach Walter Chawaguta reckons that the spin bowlers could be their major weapon in their quest for glory at the ICC World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next month. The teenage cricketers from Zimbabwe will be in Group C where they face West Indies, South Africa and Canada.

At the last three editions of the Under-19 World Cup, the Zimbabwean team failed to stamp their mark but Chawaguta believes they will make their presence felt this time around with his spin bowlers playing a crucial role.

Earlier this month, the Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team had a nightmarish outing at Cricket South Africa’s Franchise Club Week where they used the event to prepare for the World Cup.

“We had quite a disappointing show in South Africa but we have gained some experience and now have what it takes to do the job,” said Chawaguta.

South Africa and West Indies will be a threat while Canada should not be completely underrated.
“We have got plans particularly for the main two teams — the West Indies and the South Africans,” said Chawaguta.

“Our plans are very concrete and we are working very hard to practice and keep practicing.
“If we execute them well on the day, I hope that we can really put the two teams under pressure and qualify.”

Chawaguta said they will continue with their preparations ahead of their departure for the United Arab Emirates.
“We understand that the South Africans struggle, particularly, against spin bowlers and even at the Clubs’ Week, they struggled to play our spinners.

“So our main attack is going to be our spinners, especially against South Africa.
This is the plan that we used against England in the 2006 World Cup and it was successful.

“We have three left-arm spinners in our squad and that will be our main attack,” said Chawaguta.
But while Chawaguta appears bullish about his attack, batting remains a major concern for the team.

“We have been doing a lot in terms of mental application with the players and, hopefully, that will come through,” said Chawaguta.
Chawaguta said his players have put behind them their recent poor performance in South Africa and were now focused on the World Cup.
“There was more to our poor performance in South Africa than just play. I thought the officiating was directed at making us fail and, obviously, our confidence took a pounding because of that,” said Chawaguta.

All-rounder Malcom Lake is captain of the team .
Joylord Gumbie is wicket-keeper while Dylan Hondo, Mkhululi Nyathi, Charles Kunje, Deven Bell, Herbert Chikomba and Patrick Mambo are expected to play big roles at the tourney.