Zim hope for home ground edge
ZIMBABWE skipper Graeme Cremer ackacknowledged that the Cricket World Cup qualifier would not be easy, but opined that the home conditions could gigive them the edge.
The hosts are among 10 nations vying for ttwo spots at the table when the world’s elite teams contescontest the World Cup in 2019.
Cremer said: “It’s very, very special for us to have such a big tournament in our country. It will be a tough tournament, the associate teams have come a long way, but hopefully being in our home conditions,conditio we will qualify. With the home crowd behind us, we aare confident about our chances. It will be very special forformme to captain the side and take the team through to the WorldWo Cup.”
Hamilton Masakadza, who has scored mormore than 5 000 runs in one-day international cricket, also hopedho to draw inspiration from the crowd.
The 34-year-old said: “It’s very exciting to beb playing at home. We have got a very passionate crickecricket following; they follow us quite closely, we owe them a lot. We are massively confident, because playing at home,hom that’s a massive advantage.
“The way the team is playing and gelling together,t we are really confident that we have the team tto go all the way in the tournament. It is very special to rerepresent the country, for me, it’s my last chance to play in the World Cup.”
With only two spots available for the WorldW Cup, Zimbabwe will have to be at their best to mmake the cut against the likes of the West Indies, AfghanisAfghanistan, Ireland and the dangerous Scotland and Netherlands teams. — Cricket365