The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE careers of Prosper Utseya and Elton Chigumbura look to have come full circle as the duo returns to the Under-19 World Cup.
Utseya and Chigumbura began their international careers some 18 years ago at the very same tournament held in Bangladesh back in 2004.
Now, the two have been entrusted to lead a brand new generation of aspiring cricketers, with Utseya and Chigumbura head and batting coach respectively.
“It’s a privilege and honour to be entrusted with such a responsibility,” said Utseya currently with the Zimbabwe Under-19 team in the West Indies.
“As someone who came through the same process, I am determined to produce the next generation of national team players.
“We go a long way back with Elton, but what is more important is to impart the knowledge we have acquired over the years to these youngsters and try help them develop into great youth International cricketers,” he said.
Despite the many setbacks in their preparations for this year’s World Cup, the Young Chevrons coach is quite optimistic of his charges doing well at this tournament.
“We have been badly affected (by the pandemic), but we have to remain positive,” Utseya said.
“The players are well aware that this is a prestigious tournament, and they are motivated to do well for their country.
“With that said, me and my technical team have been working hard to prepare them in all aspects of the game, to the best of our knowledge”.
Utseya, who has so far seen his charges winning two of their preparatory matches against Ireland, believes they are on the right path and should be ready come January 16.
“We have managed to get the desired results in our preparatory matches, and hope to carry that form into the tournament,” he said.
Zimbabwe are in Group C alongside Afghanistan, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
Utseya’s starlets will open their campaign against Afghanistan at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex in Trinidad and Tobago on January 16.
They will then take on Papua New Guinea at the same venue on January 20.
The team wraps up the group fixtures with a date against Pakistan on January 22.
That match will be played at the Queens Park Oval, also in Trinidad and Tobago.
The tournament format will see the top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League, while the remaining teams feature in the Plate competition.
