ZIMBABWE senior women’s cricket team skipper Sharne Mayers is confident the national team will qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup pencilled for England this winter. (our winter/their summer)
The national team left Harare yesterday (Thursday) for Colombo, Sri Lanka, where they will play in the qualifiers slated for February 7-21.
“I am hoping this is our year. In fact, I believe 100 percent we will do it,” said Mayers at a press conference at Harare Sports Club.
Ten nations are competing in the qualifiers with top four sides earning a slot at the World Cup in England between June 26 and July 23 this year.
Zimbabwe are in a tough Group A together with India, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Thailand.
Mayers is, however, unfazed by the quality of their opponents.
“There is more pressure on them than us because we don’t play as much cricket as they do,” she said.
“From the preparations we had, our coaches put us in the best conditions to get results and I am confident not only in myself but in the team too.
“A lot of the girls are raring to go.
“We are pretty focused and everyone is keen to put up a good show.”
Zimbabwe coach Trevor Phiri, speaking at the same press conference, expressed confidence in his charges.
“All we need is a positive approach and to remain positive throughout,” he said.
“I am very happy with the preparations we had – we hosted South Africa’s Emerging XI here and then went to South Africa where we played well against provincial sides.
“In all those games we handled spin well, so I am confident we will not struggle in the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka.”
Zimbabwe will play Ireland in their first group match on February 7 at the Mercantile Cricket Association ground, before taking on Thailand two days later in their next assignment at the same venue.
On February11, Zimbabwe and the hosts Sri Lanka will battle it out at the Nondescripts Cricket Club.
Zimbabwe’s last group match will be against India at the P Sara Stadium on February 13.
Group B comprises South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
Each side will play four matches in the first round, following which the top three sides from each group will progress to the Super Six stage, while also carrying forward points they earn against sides which have progressed to the Super Six stage from their group.
The top four sides from the Super Six stage, in which each side will play three matches against teams from the other group, will complete the eight-team line-up for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, while the top two sides will battle it out for the title in the February 21 final.
The top four sides will also earn places in the second edition of the ICC Women’s Championship, while the fifth and sixth placed sides will secure ODI status for the next four years.
Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified after finishing among the top four in the ICC Women’s Championship, which concluded in November 2016.
Zimbabwe squad for ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017:
Sharne Mayers (captain), Precious Marange, Esther Mbofana, Pellagia Mujaji, Modester Mupachikwa (wicketkeeper), Marry-Anne Musonda, Nomatter Mutasa, Ashley Ndiraya, Josephine Nkomo, Nonhlanhla Nyathi (wicketkeeper), Loreen Tshuma, Tasmeen Granger, Nomvelo Sibanda and Anesu Mushangwe. Coach: Trevor Phiri. – Zim Cricket