Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE senior men’s cricket team coach, Dav Whatmore and his technical team will have a near-perfect assessment of the Chevrons on Monday when they host New Zealand in a friendly match in Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.
Two days later, Zimbabwe date Sri Lanka at the same venue as the preparations of the ICC World Cup continue.
Whatmore will have a chance to gauge his lads as he faces better ranked countries.
Zimbabwe play their first World Cup game against neighbours South Africa on February 15 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Playing against New Zealand and Sri Lanka will help Whatmore work out combinations of the top order.
The Chevrons are in tricky Group B where they face stiff competition from powerhouses India, West Indies and South Africa.
Ireland, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates are the other countries in Group B that Zimbabwe has 50-50 chances of winning.
In the first friendly match against local side Northern District in Grisborne, Zimbabwe won by 22 runs.
The visitors posted 229 runs for eight in 35 overs before the hosts posted 208 runs for eight.
Solomon Mire showed his prowess with both the bat and the ball as he scored 68 before he picked two wickets for 22.
The rising all-rounder represents Zimbabwe at the world Cup for the first time.
He shined in Bangladesh in the disastrous tour of Asian late last year.
The coming friendlies will best judge Zimbabwe’s readiness for the world showcase.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket side went into camp early this week in preparation for three one-day matches against Namibia on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Namibia arrive today.
The matches are in preparations for the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh next year.
The team will be under the watchful eyes of Ian Tinkler as head coach.
Walter Chawaguta is with the senior men’s team in New Zealand serving as fielding coach.
The selectors have retained the bulk of the players who took part in the Cubs Week in South Africa early last month, with Zaheer Tufail of Prince Edward and the Churchill High School duo of Richard Ngarava and Takudzwa Chakaodza being fresh inclusions in the 18-man squad.
The youthful side is expected to be the future of Zimbabwean cricket.
The team is being nurtured and exposed to the game as part of a long-term plan to improve the country’s competitiveness.
Zim Under 19 Squad

Ryans Craig Murray (Captain) – Saint John’s College, William
Mashinge (Vice-Captain) – Watershed College, Trevor Chibvongodze – Jameson High School, Tatenda Chiradza – Prince Edward, Brendon Chitongo – Glen View High 1, Adam Keefe – Falcon College, Rugare Magarira – Eaglesvale, Tendai Matigimu – Saint George’s College, Brendon Mavuta – Churchill, Sydney Murombo – Triangle, Davies Murwendo – Prince Edward, Blessed Muzite – Kyle College, Richard Ngarava – Churchill, Mike Rossi – Saint John’s College, Brendon Sly – Saint George’s College, Snater Snyder – Falcon College, Takudzwa Takodza – Eaglesvale and Tufail Zaheer – Prince Edward.