Young Chevrons crushed by SA
SOUTH Africa Under-19s made light work of Zimbabwe in their 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup Super Six stage match with a crushing nine-wicket win, with 36.3 overs to spare, at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom yesterday.
The heavy defeat dealt a blow to the Young Chevrons who remain as the only team with zero points in Group Two of the Super Six and have zero chances of progressing any further and now face a huge battle to finish in the Top 10.
They remain with zero points from three matches (two games played in the Group Stages and yesterday’s defeat) while South Africa jumped to four points.
The Young Chevrons lost the toss and were sent in to bat first and the South African bowlers, led by left-arm Kwena Maphaka showed no mercy with the ball, bowling out Zimbabwe for just 102 runs in 29,2 overs before they went on to comfortably chase down the target in just 13,3 overs finishing on 103 runs for the loss of just one wicket.
Zimbabwe Under-19s skipper, Mathew Schonken believes the way they collapsed with the bat is more of a mental thing rather than technical because when they lose one wicket, they tend to lose more in quick succession. He, however, said they will be looking to play well in their final Super Six match on Saturday.
The Young Chevrons made two changes to the team that played against Namibia in their last group game, Mashford Shungu came in for the injured Kohl Eksteen while Nathaniel Hlabangana replaced Carlton Takawira.
It was the worst possible start for Zimbabwe with the bat as they lost an early wicket to Hlabangana who was run out for one run off nine deliveries after miscommunication with his opening partner, Panashe Taruvinga, who would later on be bowled by Maphaka for three runs off eight balls.
The Young Chevrons found themselves in all sorts of trouble in the fifth over, struggling on 16/4 with Maphaka proving unplayable.
Three of the first four wickets that fell were taken by Maphaka. Ronak Patela and Ryan Kamwemba would go on to rebuild Zimbabwe’s innings with a half-century stand for the fifth wicket, the only notable partnership in the innings.
Patel went on to finish as the Young Chevrons’ leading run scorer with 32 runs off 30 balls while Kamwemba fell for 24 runs from 42 deliveries. The only other Zimbabwean batter that managed to cross double figures was Shungu with 17 runs while four other batters fell for ducks. Maphaka finished with figures of 5/34 in his fiery 10-over spell while Tristan Luus claimed three scalps for 25 runs in 7,2 overs.
Coming in to defend their sub-par score, it was not to be for the Young Chevrons as South African batters proved a class above. The first wicket would fall with the game nearing the end with Anesu Kamuriwo having Steve Stolk caught on 37 runs off 29 balls, leaving the tournament hosts on 86/1 in 10,1 overs. Lhuandre Pretorius top-scored for the Young Proteas, finishing unbeaten on 53 runs off 39 balls.
After their dismal performance yesterday, Zimbabwe’s final match of the Super Six stage will be against England at the JB Marks Oval as well. The top two teams from Group 1 and 2 of the Super Six will proceed to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
FORMER Dynamos coach, Lloyd Mutasa, believes DeMbare’s new acquisition, Temptation Chiwunga, will be their best player in the coming season.
The combative midfielder joined the Glamour Boys from JDR Stars, a perennial fighting team in South Africa’s Motsepe Foundation League, on a two-year agreement.
The 31-year-old is yet to play in the Castle Lager Premiership but has captained every team he played for during his lengthy stay in Mzansi.
Before Chiwunga’s move to Mzansi, Mutasa picked him to lead the national Under-17 team at the 2009 All Africa Games in Algeria at the time he was still doing O’ Level at Highfield High 1.
At that time, Chiwunga played for the now-defunct Douglas Warriors when they were still in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League.
Chiwunga captained players like Talent Chawapiwa, Ray Lunga, Kelvin, and Elvis Moyo during the All-Africa Games.
In South Africa, he was also given the same responsibility at JDR Stars, Magesi FC, FC Cape Town, Ubuntu Cape Town, and Cape Umoya United.
He is expected to bring his experience to the Glamour Boys.
Mutasa, who has seen it all as a player and coach at DeMbare, insisted that Chiwunga was the team’s best signing during the January transfer window.
He told Zimpapers Sports that he is confident Chiwunga will be the team’s best player this season.
‘’I cannot take full responsibility for his success, but I am happy that I was right when I gave him the captain’s armband for the Young Warriors. He has grown to become a better player, and I have been monitoring his progress in South Africa.
‘’Dynamos is a big club for everyone, but I believe he will handle the demands of the fans well. He is very calm and disciplined. He is also a hard worker, and playing for Dynamos becomes easier when you have a cool head.
‘’He is talented, and I think the coaches have signed a gem that might help them win the league this season. It is now up to him to prove his capabilities, and I’m confident he will be the team’s best player this campaign,’’ said Mutasa.
Chiwunga was JDR Stars’ top goal scorer after netting nine times.
His performances even caught the attention of FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, who considered him for the Warriors’ 2021 AFCON provisional squad.
If not for the late inclusion of Kundai Benyu, Chiwunga would have secured his spot to represent the Warriors at the continental tournament.
Chiwunga is the younger brother of Lot, who recently joined CAPS United from the relegated Black Rhinos.
At Dynamos, Chiwunga is expected to fill the shoes of Junior Makunike and add his flair to the midfield, which already includes Donald Mudadi and Tanaka ‘Kante’ Shandirwa.