ICC Women’s T20 Tourney: Zimbabwe Lady Chevrons Hit India For Nigeria, Others

ICC Women’s T20 Tourney: Zimbabwe Lady Chevrons Hit India For Nigeria, Others

Ibrahim Lateef 

Nigeria's women cricket team will be having it tough at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier scheduled for Uganda this December, as one of its foes Zimbabwe Lady Chevrons left for India to add an Asian spin to their preparations, BSNSports.com.ng has sourced.

The Lady Chevrons will battle it out for the two global qualification slots against hosts Uganda, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Head coach Gary Brent, who missed the last part of the Women’s Regional T20 games at Harare Sports Club due to a family bereavement, will take charge of the squad in India.

The 17-day training camp is expected to run until November 10.

Fit again captain Mary-Anne Musonda, who scored back-to-back half centuries on her return to the field during the recently ended T20s, will lead her charges which include three teenagers in their Asia sojourn.

The team comprises heavyweights Josephine Nkomo, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Ashley Ndiraya, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nomvelo Sibanda and Chiyedza Dhururu.

Up-and-coming talent will be represented by youngsters Franscesca Chipare (25), Kudzai Chigora (17), Adel Zimunu (19), Lindokuhle Mabhera (20) and 14-year-old Beloved Biza.

Kelis Ndhlovu, who captained the Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s side at the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup in January, is among the 16 players selected. 

Biza, the youngest in the group, has been rewarded for good performances in domestic games.

Seasoned wicketkeeper batter, Modester Mupachikwa, who is currently playing and coaching cricket in Australia, will not travel to Uganda with the team. 

“An exciting squad, lots of work will be done in India,” Brent told NewsDay Sport.

“We will be playing proper matches against local opponents as well as training.”