ZIMBABWE senior women cricket team captain Mary-Anne Musonda returns to the fold for the home series against Thailand scheduled to begin at Takashinga Sports Club tomorrow.
The tour by Thailand comprises four one-day games and three T20Is which is being used as preparatory games for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier scheduled for September 7-20 in Botswana.
Musonda missed the games against South Africa Emerging Women side played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo due to a knee injury. In her absence, all-rounder Josephine Nkomo took over the reins. She was, however, not the only senior player to miss the games against SA Emerging Women.
Ashley Ndiraya, who was recovering from a broken finger, Chipo Mugeri and Nomatter Mutasa were on maternity leave. In contrast, Sharne Mayers and Anesu Mushangwe were left to continue their trade in South Africa and Australia. All these players except Mayers and Mushangwe are available for selection, including Loren Tsuma, who is also coming from a long break.
Lady Chevrons coach Adam Chifo is spoilt for choice as he has a large pool of experienced players to choose from.
“It’s good to have Thailand coming down to play us as we badly need international practice matches in preparation for the November qualifiers. The health restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic have not done us any favour as we were not able to prepare as much as we would have loved as a team. Nonetheless, we are doing our best to cover as much as we can while we are in camp,” Chifo told EnterSportNews.
“We are happy to have Ashley, Mary-Anne, Chipo, Nomatter and Lorren Tsuma back in the squad as they provide the much-needed experience in the change room as we prepare for the big assignments ahead of us.”
Chifo said Thailand has evolved into a competitive unit primarily due to the exposure that they have had of playing regularly and against quality opposition; hence they will not be taking them lightly.
“We all know how Thailand have progressed over the years as a team, they have had the privilege to play top teams at the Global Qualifiers and the 2020 World Cup, and that has given them some lessons and the much-needed experience at the top. We never look down upon any team, but rather we focus on playing our brand of cricket and doing our best on the field,” he said.
“We will definitely use the Thailand T20I series to prepare for the Africa T20 regional qualifiers where out of 11 teams, only one will qualify for the Global Qualifiers, which are a ticket to the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup Qualifiers. This is a very important assignment for us.”
Lady Chevrons Squad – Ashley Ndiraya, Christabel Chatonzwa, Modester Mupachikwa, Mary-Anne Musonda, Josephine Nkomo, Chiedza Dhururu, Precious Marange, Lorren Phiri, Tasmeen Granger, Ester Mbofana, Nomvelo Sibanda, Mitchell Mavhunga, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nommater Mutasa, Chipo Mugeri.
