The Sunday Mail
The Zimbabwe Cricket Under 19 team is set to host their Namibian counterparts for three one day games at Old Hararians.
Namibia are expected in the country on Friday for the series starting this Sunday as they prepare for their ICC U19 World Cup qualifiers in Tanzania next week.
The Zimbabwe junior team manager Nicholas Singo said they expect stiff competition from the Namibians regardless of their Associate status.
“These (Namibia) guys are using this series as part of their preparations for their World Cup qualifiers, so we expect serious competition.
“We expect them to arrive at the Harare international Airport on Friday at 12:45 pm, for the three games all happening at Old Hararians,” said Singo who revealed that veteran juniors coach Ian Tinker will coach the Zimbabwean teenagers while Alois Tichana will continue in his role as assistance.
Walter Chawaguta is the U19 head coach, but he is currently in New Zealand with the national team for the 11th ICC World Cup, where he is the fielding coach.
“(Ian) Tinker will be coaching the side, while Tichana will assist him,” said Singo.
The Namibia tour also gives the Zimbabweans much needed game time and they would want to redeem themselves after a forgettable Cubs Week campaign in South Africa recently.
Zimbabwe recorded only one victory in five games during the annual Cricket South Africa juniors’ tournament last month.
The forthcoming Namibia series will also be important for Zimbabwe’s preparations for next year U19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
