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TESTS carried out on the Chevrons, and their supporting staff, last week, have all returned negative Covid-19 results giving the entire squad the greenlight to get down to business.

With Zimbabwe planning to host Afghanistan in July-August – subject to government approval – a training squad of 37 was called up to start preparing for the tour.

They had to first undergo Covid-19 tests as part of Zimbabwe Cricket efforts to guarantee the health of players, and staff members, as well as to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.

After all the players, as well as the coaching staff, got the all-clear, training officially started on Monday.

Due to national lockdown restrictions, and also to ensure social distancing is strictly observed, the training squad has been split into small zonal groups that are practising within their provinces.

Bulawayo-based players got the ball rolling on Monday with a fitness test that was overseen by provincial coach Njabulo Ncube at Queens Sports Club.

On the same day, national fielding coach Shepherd Makunura took Tendai Chisoro through his paces at Masvingo Sports Club.

Harare has the largest number of players, who have been split into two groups, with 14 of them training at Harare Sports Club.

Eleven are at Takashinga Cricket Club under the national team coaching staff of fitness trainer, Walter Karimanzira, batting coach Stuart Matsikenyeri and bowling coach Douglas Hondo.

The Takashinga-based players held their fitness test yesterday morning, with the Harare Sports Club group following suit in the afternoon.

In Manicaland, provincial coach, Farai Chari, is in charge, while national women’s team coach, Adam Chifo, is taking care of the Midlands players.

After undergoing strength and conditioning sessions for the first three weeks, the players will then begin focusing on cricket-specific skills training.

Apart from the Covid-19 tests, ZC have also put in place other preventative and containment measures that will be strictly observed to ensure that the risks associated with the cricket environment – field of play, training venue, changing rooms, equipment and management of the ball – have been mitigated.

Zimbabwe Training Squad – Zonal Practice
Bulawayo – Brian Chari, Christopher Mpofu, Ainsley Ndlovu, Charlton Tshuma, Sean Williams
Harare – (Harare Sports Club): Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza Butt, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Neville Madziva, William Mashinge, Peter Joseph Moor, Brian Mudzinganyama, Ryan Murray, Brendan Taylor
Harare – (Takashinga Cricket Club): Regis Chakabva, Luke Jongwe, Wessly Madhevere, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi
Midlands (Kadoma) – Brandon Mavuta
Midlands (Kwekwe) – Carl Mumba
Masvingo – Tendai Chisoro
Manicaland – Tendai Chatara, Kevin Kasuza, Donald Tiripano