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FLYING THE FLAG . . . Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team manager, Nick Singo (left) chats with skipper Malcolm Lake who will have to play a big role if the team is to impress at the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. — Picture by zimcricket.org

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-19 side left for the United Arab Emirates yesterday for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup scheduled to start next week.
The side has been preparing for the tournament since last year and team manager Nick Singo said the technical side was happy with the preparations.

Singo believes the spirit in the camp will help them achieve better results compared to their previous outing when they finished a disappointing 15th out of 16 participating nations.

“We are happy with the way we have prepared for this tournament. We have done the best that we could under the circumstances. We had two international tours and when we came back home we played against the national team.

“The boys have been in camp since late last year and we only broke camp briefly for the Christmas holidays. So in terms of preparations, we can’t really complain,” said Singo.

The team left yesterday evening and were expected to arrive in the United Arab Emirates early this morning.
Coach Walter Chawaguta’s men will warm up for the tournament with games against Australia and the hosts UAE.

Zimbabwe will have their first practice match against Australia at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery 1 in Abu Dhabi on Monday and

then round off against UAE at the 7he Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe are in Group C that also include South Africa, Canada and West Indies.

The team finished a disappointing 15th out 16 at the 2012 edition in Australia and they are hoping to turn things around this year.
Chawaguta is aiming to capitalise on the conditions in the sub-continent which favour spinners. In earlier interviews with The Herald, the coach indicated that specialist spin bowlers Dylan Hondo, Herbert Chikomba and Kieran Geyle are expected to play crucial roles while they also look forward to some significant contributions from their batsmen.

Singo was bubbling with confidence as he believes they have done enough during their preparations which also included tours to India and South Africa.

“If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to reach the quarter-finals and probably do better than that.
“I think the match against South Africa should be the most difficult one but, surprisingly, the boys are motivated to win that match. They are eager to beat South Africa, which is very encouraging. We would want to maintain the spirit,” said Singo.

The tournament will get underway next Friday and Zimbabwe are expected get the ball rolling when they clash with Canada in the opening match of the tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Zimbabwe Under-19 squad
Malcolm Lake, Luke Jongwe, Joylaord Gumbie, Shaoun Handirisi, Deven Bell, Ryan Burl, Kieran Geyle, Mkhululi Nyathi, Tarisayi Musakanda, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Dylan Hondo, Patrick Mambo, Cuthbert Musoko, Herbert Chikomba, Charles Kunje.
Technical: Walter Chawaguta (coach), Alois Tichana (assistant coach), Nick Singo (manager), Mluleki Nkala (bowling).