Utseya: Future bright for cricket

ZIMBABWE Cricket Under-19 coach Prosper Utseya believes the country’s young cricketers could be a force to reckon with on the international stage if they get adequate preparations and exposure. Utseya’s side finished 12th out of the 16 teams that participated at the recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in West Indies.

“There were some moments of individual brilliance with both bat and ball throughout the tournament, which was pleasing.

“With better preparation, exposing our players to a minimum of 30 international youth games in the two-year World Cup cycle, it is possible we could go a long way,” he said.

The former Chevrons bowler was a beneficiary of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC)’s junior cricket programmes.

He was part of a golden generation that included players such as Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Tatenda Taibu and Chamu Chibhabha. Having witnessed huge benefits of a vibrant junior programme, the Young Chevrons coach has called for the revamp of the schools’ cricket system.

“We are not far off from the teams that went on to progress, considering that there hasn’t been any schools cricket played in the last two years, with minimum practice sessions and matches leading up to the tournament.

“Our schools’ development structures also need to be revamped as the game is evolving.”

The emphasis, he added, is to have a successful player development pathway which not only produces players, but guards against losing them to other countries.

“I am also fully aware some boys want to go university, with the majority still at school.

“It is to my understanding that ZC, through the director of cricket, are doing their best to engage those players to be available for selection whenever there is no school commitment in an effort to keep players and increase competition amongst them.”

Utseya played for the Zimbabwe U-19 team before graduating into the senior team. He is confident most of the players will follow in his footsteps and feature for the Chevrons.

“I have been making them understand that the real challenge for them starts now at this level. A lot of them are talented and very good.

“They are slightly better than the other people of their age, so they are competing against people who they have a slight edge over . . .”

Morphing from a player to a coach has also been a unique experience for Utseya.

“It’s a different challenge altogether. Being a coach comes with great responsibility and high expectations.”