Women’s national cricket team captain Mayers confident
ZIMBABWE women’s national cricket team has no pressure and are ready to compete early this month in the World Cup Qualifiers in Sri Lanka.
Captain Sharne Mayers made that bold declaration yesterday.
The team, which leaves for Colombo tomorrow, is scheduled to go head-tohead with Ireland, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India starting next Tuesday.
The tournament will be divided into two groups and 10 teams are involved.
The top four sides at the qualifiers will make it to the World Cup 2017 to be held in England from June 23-July 24 this year.
Mayers yesterday told reporters that her team was ready to overcome every challenge in their way.
“We are mentally prepared for anything and I believe the pressure is on our opponents because they have been preparing all year round. This also gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves and also helps us to focus on our games.
“We have a lot of reasons to play for, not only for the qualifier slot, but for the ICC trophy as well and we need to maximise our efforts. We also have freedom in the way we conduct our games, making us flexible players and the team is taking more responsibility in the way it is playing, which is improving our game strategy and I believe we deserve this chance,” said Mayers.
The team coach Trevor Phiri said his troops were in good shape.
“I have been working with the team, coming up with options for a good combinations and keeping wickets and making sure we are at the top of the game.
“I am very happy with the preparations and the girls are ready to take on the games. We only have to maintain a positive approach to all our games. The girls are determined and focusing on the games and it will bring us a long way into doing better,” said Phiri.
The Zimbabwe team is one of the two African sides among the 10 teams who will battle for four qualifying slots at the tournament.
The top four sides will also earn places in the second edition of the ICC Women’s Championship, while the fifth and sixthplaced sides will secure ODI status for the next four years. The top four sides from the Super Six stage, in which each side will play three matches against teams from the other group, will complete the eight-team line-up for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, while the top two sides will battle out for the title in the February 21 final.
Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified directly for the pinnacle tournament after finishing among the top four in the ICC Women’s Championship last November.
Sharne Mayers (captain), Precious Marange, Esther Mbofana, Pellagia Mujaji, Modester Mupachikwa (wicketkeeper), Marry-Anne Musonda, Nomatter Mutasa, Ashley Ndiraya, Josephine Nkomo, Nonhlanhla Nyathi (wicketkeeper), Loreen Tshuma, Tasmeen Granger, Nomvelo Sibanda and Anesu Mushangwe. Coach: Trevor Phiri.