Don Makanyanga
MARY-ANNE MUSONDA could not have asked for a better Christmas present than being handed the keys to the Lady Chevrons. The 27-year old was recently appointed captain of the Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket team, an elevation she has described as the perfect gift.
“Like most seasoned players, I saw myself as a senior player with commensurate responsibility, nothing more and nothing less.
“I was actually content,” said Musonda.
“However, this appointment came as a total surprise and I could never have dreamt of a better gift this Christmas.
“My mum has always been supportive of me playing cricket and I remember I could not wait to get home to tell her the news.
“And as soon as I broke the news to her; she stared at me in disbelief and I could tell she was so happy.
“Her face lit up and I could see that this too was like a gift to her,” added Musonda.
Having made her international debut as a teenager, some twelve years ago when Zimbabwe toured Kenya, Musonda believes each and every game that she has played since then will come in handy during her tenure as captain.
Yes, experience will be key.
“Every game I played since my debut has been a learning curve for me, regardless of the result.
“All that experience will come in handy during the course of my captaincy,” she said. Unfortunately, Musonda barely has time to savour the moment, as her first assignment as skipper will be when Zimbabwe tours Namibia this week.
The Lady Chevrons are expected to tour the Southern African nation for a five Twenty-20 series slated for January 5 to10.
However, Musonda is already looking past the series, as her eyes seem to be firmly fixed on the 2021 World Cup.
The regional qualifiers will be held mid next year.
“One can never be a 100% prepared for such a task, but the dream and goal is to make it to the world cup,” said the skipper.
“This dream alone has shifted my mind-set and attitude.
“My level of preparedness is next to none.
“It’s a team goal, and has been my long term personal goal for some time,” said the right handed- batswoman.
On a personal note, Musonda recently graduated with a Degree in Business Finance and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Development Finance with a South African University.
The former Kwekwe High School student believes something within has driven her to conquer both the academic and cricket world.
“Ever since I was introduced to the game by my late coach Craig Majawa at Kwekwe High, I had to find a solution on how I could balance my academic life with the demands of cricket.
“So far it’s been working well,” said Musonda.