Zimbabwe U20 Nationals Discussion

[epcguy]

And another...your on a roll....congrats

[Eepan]

And another...your on a roll....congrats

Cheers mate! We sure know how to take it right to the end!

I've gone rogue with tomorrows orders, in the hopes we can fight in Game 5!

[OldChelmsfordian]

Oh man, what a final game! Razor thin margins.

[epcguy]

Really unlucky Eepan...thought you were going to squeeze a win out of it.. Wasnt a good squad but thats what we have to play with....onwards and upwards pal..

[Eepan]

Cheers mates, I really appreciate the support!

That final game was Scenes!

Delighted to get promoted, its been an emotional week! But everyone in the squad played their role to squeak up to Division 2!

Thank you all for training then lending your players!



vs Ireland U20 - 1 Wicket Loss
Zimbabwe U20(239-5) 50 overs, Ireland U20(240-9) 49 overs
F. Chiyangwa (75) A. Pomersbach (58), W. van der Merwe (rws) 9-0-50-4 F. Masekela (lfm) 10-1-42-1

- First competitive match of the tenure ended with heartbreak thanks to all rounders (AR)
- Given so many AR’s feature in the top 10, picking allrounders to help MR & performances, will be front of mind for future tours

vs Pakistan U20 - 35 Runs Win
Zimbabwe U20(334-4) 50 overs, Pakistan U20(299-10) 48.1 overs
A. Coleborn (140*) D. Mapfumo (90), S. Langdon (lfs) 9.1-0-46-3 K. Whitelum (rm) 10-0-55-1

- After slow 10-20 over spell in our batting innings, we took off at the end, posting a formidable target with only 4 wickets lost
- Wickets proved to be decisive in the chase, as we were never sure until that last wicket fell.

vs USA U20 - 4 Wickets Win
USA U20(249-6) 50 overs, Zimbabwe U20(250-6) 48.5 overs
L. Bayles (80*) A. Pomersbach (72), W. Mbwando (rf) 10-1-42-3 F. Masekela (lfm) 10-1-40-1

- Huge relief to get over the line, given this lineup was planned with game 4 & 5 in mind
- USA tactically outplayed us in the first innings, but after an early setback, we just pulled it back.

vs Kenya U20 - 4 Wickets Win
Kenya U20(165-10) 44.1 overs, Zimbabwe U20(164-6) 45.1 overs
N. Shanyurai (52) F. Chiyangwa (26), S. Symonds (rf) 10-2-27-3 T. Chiesa (rfm) 10-1-34-4

- Good tight bowling followed by the clinic clean up of the tail
- Falling behind on the run rate, until the 40th we relied on small steady partnerships to get over the line.

vs Scotland U20- 1 Wicket Loss
Zimbabwe U20(285-9) 50 overs, Scotland U20(286-9) 50 overs
L. Bayles (77) R. Gartrell (72), W. Mbwando (rf) 10-1-43-3 W. van der Merwe (rws) 10-0-57-3

- A kaleidoscope of emotions
- To finish the opening 10 of both innings on the back foot but to recover so many times, made this one easily game of the tour.
- To lose it on the last ball was heartbreaking, only to then recover a final time, as we learnt we’d promoted

[Eepan]

Bonus positive news to end the week:

I'm delighted to announce the newest Zimbabwe U20 assistant Sergio! Sergio has experience in an earlier stint with the game, but we all will help as much as we can as you get your feet back under the table!

[Eepan]

Zimbabwe U20, the 14th ranked T20 side, turn their attention to the chaos of Division 2.

Below are the squad of players selected:

Lenox Bayles (Harare Hammers)
Andy Coleborn (Newland Hope)
Temba Halstead (Staindrop Rockets)
Darlington Mapfumo (Takashinga Cricket Club)
Godfrey Nyumbu (Indian Tigers)
Edson Tsvanhu (Gold Coast Sixers)
Benjani Walaza (Realism Ravens)

Allen Maddern (The WaddiWallas)
Eric Marimo (The Collywobblers)

Brian Malusi (Kent International CC)

Tokkie Chiesa (Mighty Tigers 2nd XI)
Saturday Langdon (Old Chelmsfordians)
Francis Masekela (Lethal Weapons)
Garnett Pithey (Ruff Royals)
Schalk Symonds (Shaktar Senseless in Holland)
Simbarashe Tsolekile (DARK NIGHT RISES)
Wynand van der Merwe (Xanadoosra)
Rudi Wagenaar (Crni Zmajevi Cricket Club)

Matchday 1 vs South Africa U20 - Dry
Matchday 2 vs Kenya U20 - Hard
Matchday 3 vs New Zealand U20 - Hard
Matchday 4 vs West Indies U20 - Dry
Matchday 5 vs Pakistan U20 - Uneven

The perfect pitch selection, Go Zim!

Matches start at 1PM FTP time, on home turf in Zimbabwe, after we won hosting rights.

In a crucial World Cup qualifying week, we know 3, 4 or 5 win guarantees qualification for the end of season World Cup.

Looking at our squad compared to others, we have high confidence, but are wary that anything can happen in the shorter format.

[OldChelmsfordian]

One last dance for Langdon with some dry pitches? Hell yeah.

Best of luck Eepan and Sergio!

[Eepan]

One last dance for Langdon with some dry pitches? Hell yeah.

Best of luck Eepan and Sergio!

Cheers mate! So many tours and the final hurrah for Langton will finally be on spin friendly pitches!

Saturday @ Wynand are the Zim spin equivalent of Anderson and broad irl, combining one last time to take us to the World Cup?

Fairytale ending hopefully!

[OldChelmsfordian]

Very nice first result that!

[Eepan]

Very nice first result that!

Thanks mate!

I'm imagining the glare Langdon gave me after taking a wicket with his first ball, like "imagine what I could have been on spin friendly pitches" lol!

Especially as we pulled out all the stops, relieved to get over the line, given match ratings!

[Eepan]

Really pleased to get the second win!

Working late today, so will probably miss the live match

But we'll keep fighting!

[Eepan]

Woop woop! I think results went our way to qualify for the World Cup after game 2, but we've 100% secured it now!

Only question is can we promote tomorrow?

Free world cup competition for members and non members will be explained Saturday.

Thank you for checking out the Zims!

[OldChelmsfordian]

Absolutely in awe of the size of this W

[Eepan]

Absolutely in awe of the size of this W

Cheers mate!

Especially as South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies had better match ratings then us, really pleased to be 3-1

Langdon's stats this tour are crazy!

Such a shame we haven't had more spin friendly conditions!