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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s cricket team yesterday left for South Africa where they are set to intensify their preparations for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Coach Trevor Phiri travelled with a squad of 15 players and the team is expected to play a five-match Twenty20 series against the South Africa Under-19 Women.

The first match is set for tomorrow and the second on Sunday. The other games will be played next Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Sahara Park Willowmoore Cricket Stadium in Benoni.

Both teams are using the series as part of their preparations for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa next January.

The Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s squad includes two players — all-rounder Kelis Ndhlovu and pace bowler Michelle Mavunga — who already boast international experience at senior level.

Ndhlovu was the highest wicket taker at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 that ended on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates.

During her maiden tour with the seniors in Namibia earlier this year, she shared an unbeaten opening stand worth 158 runs with Sharne Mayers.

Ndhlovu was also part of the Zimbabwe Women team that played the South Africa Emerging Women side at the start of September.  Mavunga made her debut for the senior team in Namibia earlier this year and travelled with the side to India for a training camp in July.

The Ndiraya twins, Kelly and Kay, have followed in the footsteps of their sister Ashley – who has been in the Zimbabwe Women set-up for more than 15 years – in making it into a national side.

Another player with a national team sibling is Tawananyasha Marumani whose brother Tadiwanashe is a Zimbabwe international.

The youngest members of the squad are Paula Whaley, aged 12, and 13-year-olds Christine Mutasa and Beloved Biza.

The tour is crucial in the preparations for ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World is scheduled for January 14-29, 2023 in South Africa.

Zimbabwe got automatic qualification to the global showpiece alongside hosts South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United States of America and the West Indies.

Indonesia, Rwanda, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates booked their tickets through regional qualifiers. Zimbabwe are in Group B alongside England, Pakistan and Rwanda.

Zimbabwe have been preparing for the event for the past few months. The team’s coach Phiri said they are looking forward to the tour and the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“The preparations have been going really well with practice matches and training sessions being a success and we have a team of 15 young ladies who we are going with to South Africa,” he said.

Phiri is excited by the prospects of leading the Young Chevrons on their first ever World Cup sojourn.

“I am very happy; I feel honoured to be leading the team in their first ever World Cup appearance.  “We will just take it one step at a time step by step as we are also eying to make it to the Super 12”, said Phiri.

ZIMBABWE UNDER-19 WOMEN’S SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR

Kelis Ndhlovu, Vimbai Mutungwindo, Kay Ndiraya, Christine Mutasa, Paula Whaley, Michelle Mavunga, Olinda Chare, Danielle Meikle, Adel Zimunhu, Beloved Biza, Tawananyasha Marumani, Kelly Ndiraya, Portia Chihwai, Natasha Mutomba, Kudzai Chigora.