Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
FOR the next three weeks, Zimbabwe will be dancing to a cricket rhythm as 10 nations — coming from as far afield as Down Under in the southern-western Pacific, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean — collide here to decide the two teams that will qualify for next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

It has been dubbed a mini-World Cup and for Zimbabwe being the home team, Chevrons coach Heath Streak believes it is important to fight for the flag with honour when the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers get underway tomorrow at five venues across the country.

The Chevrons, who are in Group B, will open their campaign against Nepal at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo where they have set up base for the group games.

Streak and his charges are excited ahead of the fierce battles, especially after the clinical performances by their top players Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor with the bat, Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza, who did well with the ball during their final practice match against Papua New Guinea on Thursday.

“We promise to give maximum effort for the sake of our supporters. I am sure all the guys are disposed to give their best just to make the 15 million people who fall under the Zimbabwe flag proud.

“We are all proud to be representing our country in this tournament. We are quite happy to be playing at home under familiar home conditions and with the home fans rooting behind us. It’s quite exciting.

“I am sure our guys will be much more comfortable playing at home where the wickets are batting friendly, as compared to our previous tours to Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates where the wickets were much more spinning wickets,” said Streak.

Zimbabwe are one of the favourites in Group B which also includes their nemesis Afghanistan, Scotland, Hong Kong and Nepal. They play their second game against Afghanistan next Tuesday with Hong Kong coming up next.

The Chevrons will round off the group games against Scotland on March 12.

The top three teams will join the top three from Group A in a tougher Super Six Group.

Group A is headlined by the West Indies and also has Ireland, Netherlands, PNG and United Arab Emirates. According to the tournament rules, each side will play three matches against the teams they did not meet in the group stage, with all points previously won in the groups carried over, apart from those gained against the bottom two sides from each group.

As a result, Streak said they are looking beyond just qualifying to the Super Six since teams will carry their points to the stage.

“We cannot take any team lightly in this tournament. There are some good cricket teams here. Talk of the likes of West Indies, Afghanistan, Ireland and Scotland. These are teams capable of playing any Full Member any day and win.

“It’s going to be exciting. It’s not going to be easy for anyone, it’s a mini-World Cup in essence.

“So it’s important to be consistent with our performances. We have shown in the past we can beat even some of the big guns like we did in Sri Lanka. We need that spirit,” said Streak.

Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer said the Chevrons are focused on getting results despite the disappointing run in the build-up to the tournament.

Zimbabwe have a fairly balanced squad anchored by experienced players such as Solomon Mire, Masakadza, Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Kyle Jarvis and Cremer himself.

“We are rather excited and ready to play in this tournament. There is some exciting positivity in the camp and I think we stand a really good chance of finishing among the top two since we are playing at home.

“However, it’s very crucial to start well. We are expected to win against Nepal in our first game and we will put our best efforts to do that.

“The other important thing too is that it’s not just about qualifying to the Super Six.

“We have to aim to win by big margins because we will carry the points to the Super Six. So we are not taking chances against any team. The bottom line is we have to win our games,” said Cremer.

Another exciting duel is expected between Afghanistan and Scotland at Bulawayo Athletic Club.

There will also be action in Harare where Ireland and Netherlands clash at Old Hararians while PNG and UAE get the ball rolling at Harare Sports Club.

Fixtures

First Round:

Tomorrow, 4 March – PNG v UAE (Harare Sports Club), Ireland v Netherlands (Old Hararians), Zimbabwe v Nepal (Queens Sports Club); Afghanistan v Scotland (Bulawayo Athletic Club)

Tuesday, 6 March – PNG v Ireland (HSC), Windies v UAE (OH), Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, (QSC), Scotland v Hong Kong (BAC)

Thursday, 8 March – Netherlands v UAE (HSC), Windies v PNG (OH), Scotland v Nepal (QSC), Afghanistan v Hong Kong (BAC)

Saturday, 10 March – Windies v Ireland (HSC), PNG v Netherlands (OH), Zimbabwe v Hong Kong (QSC), Afghanistan v Nepal (BAC)

Monday, 12 March – Windies v Netherlands (HSC), Ireland v UAE (OH), Hong Kong v Nepal (QSC) Zimbabwe v Scotland (BAC)