Takudzwa Manzero
Sports Correspondent
CANADA senior international men cricket team’s well-deserved 2-1 win over Zimbabwe A in the One Day International format has been applauded for elevating local cricketers’ international game experience.
The just-ended tour featuring unofficial matches against Zimbabwe A and Zimbabwe Under-23 sides nurtured the raw talent within the ranks of the national teams and academy set-ups as they played with 2024 T20 World Cup competitors, and gained first-hand experience into fundamental standpoints to win the game.
The contingent of batters and bowlers from Manicaland who gained the well-deserved exposure include – Tinashe Chiora, Matthew Welch, Tanunurwa Makoni, Anesu Kamuriwo, Tafadzwa Nyamugure and Nicholas Welch.
Speaking to Post Sport, the players revelled in the beauty of international exposure.
Batsman Chiora said “Obviously, it was going to be tough facing Canada. I was saddened by the loss. However, I enjoyed my first call up to the national side. Playing against players such as Akhil Kumar was not easy, and even though the runs did not come, I feel I benefitted in the process of becoming a pro-athlete. I will continue trying and working hard.”
Dangamvura-based pace bowler, Anesu Kamuriwo, who has been growing from strength to strength since his return from the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, spoke on his experience bowling against the visitors.
“As a young bowler, there was so much pressure bowling at established World class batsmen such as Pargat Singh and Nickolas Kirton, who punish poor deliveries. It helped me to rearrange and strategise my bowling variations so that I can be a better strike bowler.”
Wicketkeeper and batsman, Matthew Welch said: “It was an awesome experience. It always feels great playing that extra level above. I learnt a bit more during my third stint with Zim A, and playing two games out of the three.”
The Canadian visitors embraced the sport in their country since the 1750s, with the sport gaining a lot of popularity through the decades.
Despite its rescind over a number of years, Canada has been on an upward trajectory, witnessed by its participation in their first T20 World Cup appearance in 2024.
Mega Market Mountaineers assistant coach, Donald Tiripano said: “It is very pleasing to see the youngsters play because they did not have international exposure. I really felt that it was a starting point for better things because you can get better by playing top oppositions.”
