Mbangwa heads commentators’ crew

HARARE. — A panel of seven commentators will be behind the microphones during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March.

The 22-day event has 10 teams battling it out for the top-two positions, which will give them tickets to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Here are the stars who will be commentating on proceedings.

Mpumelelo Mbangwa, The former Zimbabwe paceman featured in 15 Tests and 29 one-day internationals, and became a popular commentator soon after his retirement in September 2000.

Known for his insightful commentary, ‘Pommie’ was also a part of the 32-member panel of commentators for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

‘’I look forward to working on the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Of course, being back in Zimbabwe will be enjoyable, but more entertaining will be getting to call games where so much is at stake for all the teams.

‘’It means a great deal to be at the Cricket World Cup and this is the last chance teams get to earn a place in the sport’s most coveted tournament.”

Mark Butcher, the former left-handed England batsman was one of the top-order mainstays of his side during his playing years.

In 71 Tests, he scored 4,288 runs and made his last Test appearance against South Africa in 2004. He began his career in commentary after quitting first-class cricket in 2009 and has been an esteemed pundit across the world since.

Lisa Sthaleekar, the former Australia Women all-rounder was one of the best cricketers of her generation, turning out in eight Tests, 125 ODIs and 54 T20 Internationals with distinction.

She bid farewell to international cricket in 2013 before becoming a commentator.

Since then, she has been a regular voice in the women’s game, and has also been a part of the Indian Premier League, where Mbangwa has often been her colleague. Sthalekar was also a member of the commentary panel at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.

Dirk Nannes, the former left-arm quick, who played for both Australia and the Netherlands, was a popular traveller for franchise T20 leagues during his playing days.

After retiring from all formats of the game in 2015, he joined ABC Grandstand’s cricket commentary team and has had many other gigs since.

Ian Bishop, the former Windies paceman was a part of the commentators’ panel at the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and, before that, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the ICC World Twenty20 2016, where he responded to Windies’ winning moment with: “Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name!”

Bishop played 43 Tests and 84 ODIs before his career was cut short by injury and has since become a much-loved voice in the game.

“The phenomenal rise of Afghanistan as a cricketing stronghold in such a short time, serves as a cautionary tale to anyone who isn’t aware of how fast and how skilfully the game is growing at all levels,’’ he said.

‘’With this in mind I am excited to be a part of the broadcast panel that will be on hand to keep you updated as to which two nations will be standing on the pedestal of success on March 25 as they tread the path to leave their mark on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.”

Deep Dasgupta, the former India wicket-keeper, played eight Test matches between 2001 and 2002 with limited success but is regarded highly for his reading of the game.

He has been a regular in the commentators’ box when cricket is played in India and was also a part of the panel for the ICC World Twenty20 2016.

Fazeer Mohammed, who hails from the Caribbean, has been one of the bestknown voices from the islands for a long time.

He started his career as a commentator in 1987, and has since covered Windies cricket almost continuously.

Mohammed was also the only commentator from the Caribbean in the ABC Radio Grandstand commentary team when Windies toured Australia in 2015. — ICC