The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
AFTER ending six months of inactivity, the Zimbabwe Women’s cricket team are now in a race against time to get to full match fitness as they prepare for two limited-overs World Cup qualifiers.
The Lady Chevrons will participate in the 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier to be staged in Botswana next month before they host the ICC Women’s 2022 ODIs Cricket World Cup qualifiers in November.
They are hosting Thailand in four ODIs and three T20Is.
Lady Chevrons coach Adam Chifo said his charges are in a race against time to be well prepared for the upcoming two limited-overs World Cup qualifiers.
“After about six months of inactivity, I would say we are very much against time…the ladies need to get their rhythm going as soon as possible so we can be able to come out with the right combinations going forward.
“We need to find our rhythm in all departments as soon as possible,” said Chifo.
With the Lady Chevrons currently leading the ODI series against Thailand two- nil and looking to clinch it with a whitewash today, Chifo believes the matches against the Asians came at the right time.
He said a series would also help boost the Lady Chevrons’ confidence.
“The Thailand tour wouldn’t have come at a better time; we last played them in 2017 so we are using this series to get some pointers on where their game is at the moment.
“We are happy to be playing Thailand at this moment as we are preparing not only for the upcoming ODI World Cup qualifiers but also the Africa T20 qualifiers next month in Botswana.
“Thailand have progressed well in the past few years due to their exposure against big teams and they give us the much needed competition as we prepare.
“Winning the series will indeed be a confidence booster, remember Thailand are in our group also,” Chifo said.
He is also excited with the International Cricket Council’s decision to grant Zimbabwe the hosting rights for the Women’s 2022 ODIs Cricket World Cup qualifiers, which he reckons will give them some home ground advantage.
“We are happy to be hosting, home advantage is something that any team would love to have and make use of.
“The ODI qualifiers have a lot at stake as they provide the ticket to the World Cup and the Women’s championship league which will be a big boost for women’s cricket in Zimbabwe as we will be guaranteed a future tours programme.
“We are determined and we have our eyes on the main goal, that is of qualifying for the two World Cups,” Chifo said.
