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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ALL-ROUNDER Kelis Ndhlovu has been named as the Zimbabwe captain for next month’s International Cricket Council Under-19 Women’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
The Zimbabwean team announced yesterday consists of 15 players and will be led by Ndhlovu who already has exposure to the highest level of the game as she is part of the senior women’s team.

Ndhlovu, a left arm spinner was the highest wicket taker at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 held in the United Arab Emirates in September with 11 wickets while her batting talent was on show during her maiden tour with the seniors when she was involved in an unbeaten opening stand worth 158 runs against Namibia in April.

Michelle Mavunga

However, the skipper is not the only one in the team to have played for the seniors with fast bowler Michelle Mavunga being the other player who has tasted action at the highest level.

The squad announcement comes after the Young Lady Chevrons returned home from Mumbai, India where they were touring, playing against three different academies from the Asian nation. Zimbabwe won six of their nine matches against Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute, Palghar Dahanu Taluka Sports Association (PDTSA), and MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana.

Under the stewardship of Trevor Phiri, Zimbabwe are in Group B alongside England, Pakistan and Rwanda. All Group B matches will be played in Potchefstroom. In their first match of the tournament, Zimbabwe will face England at the JB Marks Oval on January 15 before they take on fellow Africans Rwanda two days later at the North West University Oval. The last group encounter for Zimbabwe is against Pakistan on January 19 at the North West University Oval.

The ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 has 16 teams that are divided into four groups of four, with the top three in each group progressing to the Super Six stage which will have two pools.

Young Lady Chevrons

Zimbabwe Squad: Kelis Ndhlovu (captain), Kelly Ndiraya, Kay Ndiraya, Adel Zimunhu, Natasha Mutomba, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Danielle Meikle, Tawananyasha Marumani, Michelle Mavunga, Olinda Chare, Kudzai Chigora, Betty Mangachena, Chipo Moyo, Faith Ndhlalambi, Rukudzo Mwakayeni. -@brandon_malvin