The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
SIMPLY put; the Adina Polocrosse World Cup in April is of paramount importance.
But before then, Zimbabwe will have to contend with the highly rated Irish team when the two nations square off in a three-match Test Series this week. The series, slated for February 21-23, will be held at Bulawayo Country Club. And while both teams will be part of the World Cup in Australia; Zimbabwe captain Graham Keith reckons that the Irish team, ranked eighth in the world, provides an opportunity to gauge the team progress and what to expect at the tournament.
“Everything we do right now is in preparation for the world cup,” said Keith. “The test series against Ireland is all in preparation for this event, it’s a good test to see where we are mentally and physically as a team.
“It’s also a good opportunity to get some combinations going and try out what we have been practicing.
“We have had a good start to the year and been lucky with the weather, being able to fit in a few practice sessions between Bulawayo and Harare,” he said. Admittedly, Keith knows very little about the Irish team, who are ranked two places below Zimbabwe.
“We don’t know much about them, and so this will be a good pressure test to see how we do against the unknown.
“Any international is a good gauge of your team’s ability but for us it’s definitely about constructive game time at this stage,” he said.
The 35-year-old who grew up in Macheke is keen to make the nation proud come World Cup time.
He said he last took part in a World Cup in 2011 when the team made it to the final and ended up coming second.
“I was appointed (captain) last year when the team was announced, I don’t really have any personal goals as a captain.
“(But) it will be great for our team to reach their full potential for this World Cup and make our fellow Zimbabweans proud. “I would like to thank our Polocrosse association and all its members for the support they have given us for this world cup.
“It has been amazing so far.”
Eight nations-namely hosts Australia, reigning champions South Africa, Zambia, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, Zimbabwe and the UK- will compete for honors at the World Cup that will be celebrating 80 years of polocrosse.
Zimbabwe Team: Graham Keith (Captain), Danie Swan, Ross Shand, Andy Baker, Kirsten Swan (Vice-Captain), Sophie Sargeant, Suzanne Sargeant, Paula Sparrow
