The last time a test cricket playing nation like Australia was hosted in kwekwe was in 2007. Australia is one of the ten test cricket playing nations in the world.
The match which comes few days after Zimbabwe XI bowed out of the Coca Cola tri-nations challenge Cup in Harare, will be part of preparations for the July 15 four day encounter between Zimbabwe and Australia’s national cricket teams slatted for Bulawayo.
Limelight on the match will be on Mid West Rhinos’ batsmen Vusi Sibanda who was recently appointed Zimbabwe XI captain.
The game also gives coach Allan Butcher an opportunity to scout for talent as Zimbabwe is expected to re-join test cricket in August after a long time of inaction ignited by fallout with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“The match will be so important to us and we are prepared to throng Kwekwe Sports Club and give support to our team because we have not seen bigger countries coming this side for long now,” said Amos Nyika a cricket fanatic from Kwekwe’s New Town surbub.
Mellin Newson from Kwekwe’s Msasa low density suburb also expressed her hope that Zimbabwe XI will upset the Australian side.
Other supporters who spoke to The Zimbabwean during the survey challenged coach Butcher and his assistant Steven Mangongo to use the game as face cover following the embarrassing knock out in the Coca Cola competition.
If Zimbabwe XI wins the game, the country will get international recognition on world ranks as it is on the ICC calendar.
Post published in: Cricket