ZIMBABWE Cricket is set to include inform all-rounder Brian Bennett and pace bowler Trevor Gwandu in the team for the African Games scheduled for Accra, Ghana, next month.
Another all-rounder Jonathan Campbell, who is also knocking on the Chevrons’ door, will also be part of the Games as the selectors seek to give the young players the much-needed exposure at the games where cricket is scheduled to debut.
Bennett (20) made his T20 International debut against Ireland at Harare Sports in December together with Gwandu, 26. He featured in the Zimbabwe A side that lost the first three-day match against visiting county cricket side Durham at Harare Sports last week scoring seven and 56 runs. Campbell (26) also played for Zim A side managing 72 and three runs while claiming one wicket for 12 runs.
The second three-day match between Zimbabwe A and Durham gets underway this morning at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe U25 team is currently in Johannesburg, South Africa, to fine tune for the forthcoming African Games. Head of programme for Zim U25 Steve Mangongo is taking the group of 15 through their paces.
“It's the squad for African Games and perhaps three boys from the current national squad, the younger ones need exposure too. The majority will be going to Ghana with some current Zimbabwe A players joining like Bennett, Campbell and Gwandu,” Mangongo told NewsDay Sport.
The team arrived in South Africa on Thursday and played against Powerplay Sports Academy the following morning, winning via the Duckworth Lewis method. Zim U25 scored 136, as captain Rodney Mupfudza top scored with 27 while the Owen Muzondo and Kuda Macheke partnership worth of 39 off 30 balls gave the visitors the much needed impetus.
Powerplay Sports Academy were in all sorts of problems at 55/4 after 13 overs when lightning stopped play giving Zim U25 a 51-run win.
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On Sunday the two teams met again and Zimbabwe U25 were in the mood again as opener Mupfudza and middle order batsman Tashinga Musekiwa put on a 127-run partnership in less than 100 balls.
Musekiwa scored 108 not out while Mupfudza was unbeaten on 69 not out as Zim U25 set 208/4 in 20 overs before restricting Powerplay Sports to 48 all out. Zimbabwe pacer Panashe Maphosa took two wickets early in the innings before spinners Ashley Mufandauya and Wallace Mubaiwa with two wickets apiece to compound misery on the South African academy. Prosper Mugeri and Arineshto Vhezha took a wicket each.
“Good start by the boys as winning is a skill we need to inculcate in these hungry boys,” Mangongo said.
Zim U25 team in South Africa: Rodney Mufudza (C), Tawanda Maphosa, Tashinga Makoni, Ashley Mufandauya, Tashinga Musekiwa, Spencer Magodo, Aisha Chibanda, Chris Masike, Prosper Mugeri, Arinesto Vezha, Wallace Mubaiwa, Tony Munyonga, Owen Muzondo, Christopher Masike, Kuda Macheke.
Technical Team: Steve Mangongo (Zim U25 Head of programme) Alouis Tichana (Assistant coach), Njabulo Ncube (Bowling coach), Faith Dube (Physical performance coach).
