The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
IT appears the Young Lady Chevrons’ preparations for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup will be better than anything Zimbabwe Cricket have done before.
Zimbabwe were among the 16 nations to grace the inaugural edition of the tournament, which was rescheduled from the end of 2021 to January 2023 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Trevor Garwe-coached side found the going tough, as Zimbabwe were eliminated during the preliminary rounds after three straight defeats to England (174 runs), Rwanda (39 runs) and Pakistan (10 wickets) in the group stages.
They went on to lose again to Indonesia by three wickets in their play-off match.
For the 2025 edition, the country will have to go through regional qualifiers to make it to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand.
But Garwe is a man with a plan.
The former Zimbabwe international has identified nine players from the 2023 World Cup squad that he hopes to build his team around.
The nine are Zimbabwe Under-19 skipper Kelis Ndhlovu, wicketkeeper Vimbai Mutungwindu, bowlers Kudzai Chigora, Tawananyasha Marumani, Olinder Chare and Chipo Moyo, and all-rounders Kay Ndiraya, Kelly Ndiraya and Danielle Meikle.
“Retaining nine of our players is a big boost to our squad,” said Garwe.
“They will be able to share their experience with the other players. We also now have an idea of what to expect at such a tournament.
“We will build our team around them (nine players), and I am pretty confident that we are going to have a good strong squad that goes and represents Zimbabwe at the next U-19 Women’s World Cup.”
Garwe has also started preparations for the tournament early.
He hopes to have well-rounded players when the time for the qualifiers and World Cup tournament comes.
“We have started our preparations early so that we can cover all the basics of the game and make sure we give them time to grow.
“We hope to improve on their skills and game intelligence in the coming months,” said Garwe.
A 24-member team was selected after rigorous three days of trials last week.
“We have a talented group of players and I am looking forward to working with them.
“I am so confident that we will have a good team to compete with the best in the world,” he said.
“We learnt some valuable lessons in how we need to prepare for such tournaments.
“We want to make sure these girls play as many games as they can before the World Cup.
“It was our downfall in our first World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and something we hope to rectify this time around,” added Garwe.
Zimbabwe Under-19 Women Provisional Squad:
Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Tawananyasha Marumani, Chipo Moyo, Olinder Chare, Nokutenda Makanhiwa, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Christina Mutasa, Buhlebenkosi Maphosa, Kudzai Chigora, Passionate Munorwei, Tawana Mudepu, Melinda Kajinge, Diveniah Ndhlalambi, Chanel Machando, Chevaughn Ndoro, Paula Whiley, Danielle Meikle, Monique Mushanyi, Kay Ndiraya, Kelly Ndiraya, Lauren Pemhiwa, Palesa Tinozo, Vimbai Mutungwindu
