NATIONAL U-19 cricket team enters this year’s edition of the ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup with added pressure to perform and appease the restless local cricket supporters following the senior men’s team struggles in recent months.
The U-19 World Cup bowls off in South Africa from January 13 to February 4. The Prosper Utseya-coached Zimbabwe side left Harare for South Africa yesterday with nothing on their mind short of representing the country with pride and dignity.
Zimbabwe are in Group C, together with three-time World Champions Australia, Sri Lanka and Namibia. Group A is made up of four-time winners India, Bangladesh, Ireland and USA, while Group B comprises England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland. Group D has Afghanistan, two-time champions Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal.
“We have high expectations as a team after all the hard work and preparation we went through … we are confident and well prepared for all matches lined-up,” Utseya told NewsDay Sport.
With the Chevrons failing to qualify for this year’s T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA following defeats against Namibia and Uganda in Windhoek last year, the appearance of Namibia in the same group as Zimbabwe makes an interesting spectacle.
“The fact that our main national side failed to qualify for the World Cup only adds to the responsibility on our shoulders,” Utseya reckons.
“The boys are the ambassadors of our nation, and we trust that they will carry this responsibility with pride and honor. We don't have super stars in the team yet; everyone in the squad is equally good on the day to shine.”
Zimbabwe will be fancying their chances of progressing beyond the group stage at the U-19 World Cup after the organisers changed the format of the competition for this edition.
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The new format will see three teams from each group progressing to the next round. This will be the Super Six stage where two groups of six teams each will play two matches against teams from the corresponding groups. Teams will carry forward their group points, wins and net run rate gained against fellow Super Six qualifying teams.
From the Super Six stage, the top two teams from each group will then proceed to the semifinals stage, with the winners of the knock-out earning a ticket to the final.
