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Sports Reporter
RISING Stars Cricket Academy have launched an aggressive fundraising drive to revive the dream of sending their team of emerging cricketers to England this year. The players were devastated after they were told just weeks before they were due to leave for England that the tour would not be going ahead this year. The tour is part of the five-year plan to expose the next generation of professional cricketers players, between the ages of 18 – 22, to higher level competition by playing a series of high-profile matches against quality county and representative opposition.

The project, which is the brainchild of former national team captain Tatenda Taibu, was originally funded by Zimbabwe Cricket but the association has withdrawn its funding this year. Stars’ spokesperson Herbert Chikomba said they are determined to see the project through following the successes of 2017.

“After the trials last year, 17 players were selected to represent the 2018 Rising Stars academy. It was an honour and great privilege to be selected and all the players were looking forward to working with coach Stuart Matsikenyeri and the rest of the team in the UK,’’ said Chikomba.