Zimbabwe under-14 side set for SA tournament

THE Zimbabwe Under-14 national side is set to travel to South Africa for the Momentum Cricket Week scheduled for 7-11 December in Pretoria.

Teams participating in the age-group tournament, organised annually by Cricket South Africa (CSA), play declaration, 20-over and 50-over formats during the five-day event.

Zimbabwe Under-14 coach David Mutendera will go to the tournament with a squad of 13 players picked during the selection trials held by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in Harare a fortnight ago.

Denford Kumundati, who is the team manager and assistant coach, said the tournament has over the years always provided schoolboys with the much-needed exposure to competitive cricket.

Zimbabwe international stars such as Brendan Taylor, Kyle Jarvis, Chamu Chibhabha and Tarisai Musakanda, to mention a few, have passed through the Momentum Cricket Week.

“This a long-standing relationship between CSA and ZC and the tournament has over the years brought through most of the players who have gone on to play for the senior national team,” Kumundati said.

“It gives our junior cricketers a chance to showcase their talent and improve their game while playing in a different environment.

“In our current cricket development set-up, this is an important stepping stone for young cricketers after our own Partridges Week and it motivates them to play and improve with the zeal to represent their nation at a tender age.”

The team is scheduled to leave for Pretoria on 6 December.

ZIMBABWE UNDER-14 SQUAD:

Nicholas Anderson (Mountaineers), Dylan Nzvenga (Tuskers), Sean Bennett (Mountaineers), Nathaniel Hlabangana (Tuskers), Liam Mudenda (Tuskers), Rufaro Zhanda (Mountaineers), Ben Williams (Tuskers), Brandon Sunguro (Eagles), Isaac Phiri (Tuskers), Taona Zimhunga (Eagles), Carlton Takawira (Eagles), Shane Muchenje (Rhinos), Sean Dzakatira (Tuskers)

Non-Travelling Reserves: Newman Nyamhuri (Rhinos), Mutsawashe Choto (Eagles), Tyde Stirrup (Eagles), Lwandile Chitofu (Tuskers)