The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
JULIA Chibhabha has a simple, but effective plan to make full use of Zimbabwe’s newly-acquired Test and One Day International cricket status.
No stranger to the plight of the women’s game, the convener of selectors has spent most of her time collecting data and listening to various views since her appointment.
She couldn’t believe her luck when the good news came. “When I heard the news I was watching one of the men’s Logan Cup games and had to go online to verify, as I couldn’t believe it,” said Chibhabha.
“Watching cricket has become a routine of mine lately, as it helps me to see and hear how the guys are doing.
“I watch a lot of games and listen to as many people as possible to hear their views on cricket, whether it be the men or women’s game.” While she was naturally ecstatic, another part of her wished it had come earlier – during her playing days.
“When I saw it was true, I was happy for the girls, but part of me was a bit sad.
“Personally, this is what I was looking forward to when I started playing cricket, and also this was what we were aiming to achieve as a team during my day.
“Test cricket is the holy grail of cricket, and every player aspires to play,” she said.
Chibhabha is now fully committed to making sure she plays her part in ensuring the Lady Chevrons makes good use of this opportunity.
“Over the last couple of days, I have realised that we go through different phases and in each opportunity or phase, there are certain challenges that you face that will make life easier for the next generation.
“You will realise that some of the girls that are playing right now may not get to fully enjoy this status, and those that come some five or ten years later may.
“The hope is that by the time the future generation starts playing, we will have developed further and will be playing and competing against some of the top sides regularly.
“Everyone has a part to play.
“I played mine and hope to continue contributing in my new role as convener of selectors.” The 38-year-old is aware that there is a lot of work to be done.
She understands it will take time and effort before the newly acquired status begins to have an impact. “For now, we need more players within our set-up, as compared to how we were operating before when we had one group for the qualifiers that would then go on to play at the World Cup.
“Having this status means more game time.
“The standard of opposition is definitely going to improve, and having a large pool to choose from will definitely encourage competition and benefit us in the long run.
“A lot of groundwork will definitely need to be done in terms of school, provincial and club cricket. “Ideally, I would like a scenario where we have something like two senior sides, namely the Lady Chevrons and an emerging side, while we also have active age-group sides.
“This will make it easier for gradual progression, and the obvious beneficiary will be the national side,” she said.
Chibhabha also applauded Zimbabwe Cricket for the work they have already started doing, particularly the revival of the women Twenty20 competition late last year.
