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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]

THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association (BMCA) is set to launch a new Winter T20 League to give local players game time during the off-season.BMCA chairperson Godwin Dube said the league will help players to keep fit in the off-season period.

He added that the league will provide the perfect opportunity for teams that will represent Bulawayo in the forthcoming Premier League.“The upcoming Winter League aims to keep players in good shape during the off-season while also providing them adequate rest, hence games will be in the T20 format.

“We hope the Winter League, alongside some of the programmes that are being initiated for the winter period, will assist in providing an opportunity to clubs to improve our standards as a province.

“Clubs taking part in the National Premier League may also utilise the games to prepare for the gruelling National Premier League. In addition to the above factors we believe the weather in winter will also present players with a different challenge as we expect a lot of movement (seam & swing) due to the cloudy and windy conditions,” said Dube.

Six teams are taking part in the tournament and Dube said they were happy to have got a favourable response.“We expect six teams to affiliate for the Winter League, with three games being played every weekend on the same day at the same venue.”

“The response has been overwhelming and the fixtures secretary is currently seized with finalising the registration of teams. All interested players are welcome to participate, they will however have to affiliate to a Winter League of their choice.”

The registered teams will be announced in due course. Dube said above all, they aim to make local cricket attractive and expose talent that will contribute to the national teams.

The Winter League, Dube said will be of huge benefit in curbing the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
“The expectations of the association are to see improved performances from Bulawayo Metropolitan affiliated teams in the National Premier League and an increased representation in the Chevrons.

“We believe that with organised and group-targeted programmes such as this one, they not only create a platform for player development but also help by keeping players away from drugs and other harmful substances, hence the Winter League will also enable us to track what our players are doing during the off-season,” he said.

The BMCA chairperson added that they were impressed by the performance of lady cricketers from the Bulawayo.

“The ladies have done well in terms of representation and currently have a sizeable number in the national team set up, junior teams have also been doing extremely well in the competitions,” he said.

Some of the female cricketers from Bulawayo in the present Lady Chevrons team that is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers are Nomvelo Sibanda, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Sharne Mayers and Loreen Tshuma.—@NkosieLegend