FORMER Zimbabwe captains Prosper Utseya and Elton Chigumbura walk down memory lane during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup as they return and reunite after 18 years since they played together at such a stage now albeit in coaching roles.
Chigumbura had played in the previous U19 World Cup in 2002, with Utseya only joining him at the next tournament held in Bangladesh in 2004.
But life has its unique way of equating people and turning the tables up. This time around, Chigumbura joins Utseya for the first time in the U19 setup as his assistant. In contrast, the former spinner known as Mr Dots then has superintendent over the team in the same capacity as the head coach at the last World Cup in Australia for his economic spells.
The Nyaradzo Group-sponsored side touched down in West Indies just after midnight. They had a stopover in Germany aboard a Lufthansa flight and are focused on the task at hand after a safe but long trip to the Caribbean Islands.
Zimbabwe are in Group C, which also has Afghanistan, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
Utseya has heaped praise on the former all-rounder describing his appointment as assistant coach as an essential addition.
“Huge difference given his experience as a former captain and all-rounder; this will go a long way in covering all aspects of the game for the players,” Utseya says of Chigumbura’s presence in the technical team.
However, he is not reading much into his youthful side’s lack of experience of playing at this level. Only captain Emmanuel Bawa is the lone surviving member from the squad that played last World Cup.
“Without raising high hopes or sounding negative, all things being considered, we are looking to go as far as possible in the tournament,” said Utseya.
“They all have had a decent performance here and there, so it’s difficult to single out one or two players, and I’m glad they are gelling together nicely.”
Zimbabwe Under-19 squad: Emmanuel Bawa (Captain), Brian Bennett (Vice-Captain), David Bennett, Victor Chirwa, Mgcini Dube, Alex Falao, Tendekai Mataranyika, Tashinga Makoni, Connor Mitchell, Steven Saul, Matthew Schonken, Panashe Taruvinga, Matthew Welch, Rogan Wolhuter, Ngenyasha Zvinoera.
