HARARE - Zimbabwe Cricket XI coach Steven Mangongo was last week upbeat about his teams chances at the International Cricket Council Intercontinental Cup series against Netherlands and Canada. Mangongo and his charges left Zimbabwe last Tuesday for the Netherlands for the first leg of the tournament, which kicks off today (Sunday) in Amstelveen and ends next Wednesday.
“I am impressed by the efforts the players put in during the two-week camp. We will hopefully get the desired results. We have worked hard with all the players to try and improve their skill and technique. We are not worried and I am highly confident nothing will stop us, the coach told media in Harare ahead of the intercontinental tournament.
After the completion of the Netherlands tour, the side will travel to Canada for its next assignment against Canada from August 2-5 in Toronto. ?
The Zimbabwe squad consists of a few Under 19 players including Nathan Waller, Natsai Mshangwe and Tendai Chatara.
Left-handed batsman, Craig Ervine, and Stuart Matsikenyeri were also part of the squad while Friday Kasteni, Gregory Strydom, John Nyumbu and the injured Kyle Jarvis were omitted. ?
Zimbabwe occupies fourth place in the ICC Intercontinental Cup points table with 23 points from two games.
The 2009/10 tournament was expanded to two divisions and eleven teams. Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Canada, Kenya and Afghanistan play in the top division, joined by Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates, Namibia, Bermuda and Uganda play in the Intercontinental Shield. ICC organises the Intercontinental Cup as part of its cricket development program.
The competition is designed to allow Associate Members of the ICC the chance to play first-class matches against teams of similar skill in a competition environment and prepare them for eventual promotion to Test cricket status.
Zimbabwe is targeting a return to Test cricket after the end of next year’s Cricket World Cup.
Zimbabwe Squad: Vusi Sibanda (captain), Forster Mtizwa, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Charles Coventry, Chamu Chibabha, Regis Chakabva, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tendai Chatara, Ed Rainsford, Keith Dabengwa, Shingirai Masakadza, N Mshangwe, Malcolm Waller, Timycen Maruma.
Post published in: Cricket