Eagles Women revel in domestic double
EAGLES Women’s cricket team coach Trevor Garwe has praised the work ethic demonstrated by his team after the side captured a domestic double for the second year running.
The Harare-based provincial side wrapped up a prosperous campaign last weekend when they were crowned champions of both the Women’s T20 and the Fifty50 Challenge.
Garwe, who is also the Zimbabwe Under19 women’s bowling coach, said the team has invested more in their structures and the success was a reflection of the hard work put in by the Eagles women.
The side has dominated the domestic women’s cricket for the last two years and won both titles. In fact, they have now won three successive editions of the Women’s T20 competition since its inauguration in 2020.
“For me, this was an impressive season. The girls worked really hard during the pre-season and the results are showing,” said Garwe.
“It’s really a positive thing for the group and the franchise as well, to defend the two titles.
“It wasn’t easy going into the season with the burden weighing on us to try and defend the titles.
“But we still managed to do it and I would say the attitude of the players, the way they handled the pressure and staying focused was the difference between cracking under pressure of expectation and winning the two titles.”
Eagles beat Mega Market Mountaineers by nine wickets in the final of the Women’s T20 on Saturday Sunrise Sports Club in Harare. They made light work of their opponents after they had won the toss and elected to field first.
Mountaineers were restricted to 89/6 in 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance anchored on teenage sensation, Kelis Ndhlovu who finished with the best bowling figures of 3/9 in four overs.
Tawananyasha Marumani, Christabel Chatonzwa and Beloved Biza claimed the other three wickets. Eagles Women then raced to 93/1 inside 11.2 overs to claim a big win. Ndhlovu once again was the star for Eagles with her unbeaten 57 runs from 39 balls.
Then on Sunday, Eagles were dominant again in the final of the Fifty50 Challenge as they claimed a nine-wicket win over Rhinos Women.
Ndhlovu was in marauding form again with an incredible bowling performance that saw her taking six wickets for just seven runs in the seven overs she bowled.
She was backed by experienced Christabel Chatonzwa who took the other four wickets for just 13 runs as Rhinos only managed to last 20 overs and crashed on 57 runs.
Eagles women hardly broke a sweat in the chase and had the game in the bag when they reached 62.1 in just 9.2 overs.
Although they dominated the lopsided finals, Garwe believes the competition was tougher during the season.
“The competition was tough but credit to our senior players. They stepped up when we needed them. I also want to acknowledge the young and upcoming players like Kelis Ndhlovu, who has also gone on to do well for the national Under-19 and senior national teams.
“I always say it’s not easy being in her shoes. So many things come her way as a promising young athlete and as coaches we have to help her in every way possible so that she stays level-headed.
“I think everyone can see she has a very bright future,” said Garwe.
Ndhlovu was voted player of the tournament for both formats. The 17-year-old has been in sensational form, which also saw her getting nominated for the ICC Player of the Month for April following her brilliant bowling performances with the senior national team in Thailand last month.
Apart from Ndhlovu, Eagles also have six other Under-19 national team players, and Garwe is excited about the future.
“I think we will be breaking for a few weeks to reflect on the team’s performances and also recover from the previous season. We hope to continue from where we left off when we return next season.
“But we would need to maintain our squad. We have about seven players who are part of the national Under-19 squad and we have to help them to stay fit and competitive. So we will probably arrange some practice matches for them,” said Garwe.
Domestic Women Individual Awards: Fifty50 Challenge Awards:
Player of the tournament Kelis Ndhlovu Bowler of the tournament Kelis Ndhlovu Batter of the tournament Ashley Ndiraya Women’s T20 Cup Awards:
Player of the tournament- Kelis Ndhlovu
PARTY . . . Eagles W omen’s cricket team pop the champagne as they celebrate winning the d omestic Fifty50 Challenge and the Women’s T20 Cup in Harare at the weekend. — Picture: Zimbabwe Cricket