Zimbabwe Women arrive at the biggest moment in their history

Zimbabwe Women and Ireland Women have met a couple of times in the last couple of years.

Zimbabwe women’s Josephine Nkomo bowls against Thailand Women at Takashinga Sports Club

The camaraderie between the two camps has seen the development of a friendly rivalry. The two sides have been developing at similar paces and find each other a time when they are vying for estimable seats at higher challenge.

At the pinnacle this year is the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier to be held at the end of November in Zimbabwe. Eight other countries fight it out with the pair for the available. The top three teams from the qualifier will progress to the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. The top three teams, along with the next two best placed teams, will also qualify for the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship.

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But in this match, for Zimbabwe, it is a big moment. It becomes their first ever official ODI ever since they were granted their status earlier this year. That also comes with Test status.

This opens a new chapter in which they will stake a claim at more competition off the shores. it is all very well for Zimbabwe to travel to Women’s Qualifier Africa matches and win seven matches in a row all the time, booking a spot in the global one. It’s just that it does little for the development of the national team here. And it does even less for the rest of Africa who will for the foreseeable future, see their path and progress inhibited.

For Zimbabwe, they learn nothing from always winning and develop better by being tested. And that slot could be offered to another country which could benefit more.

The initiation into ODI cricket in earnest will be hard, but having played South Africa Emerging (with some national players included) and Thailand in the 50-over format, there is some, even if little, experience for Mary-Anne Musonda and her charges.

There will be issues around fitness, concerns already exhibited during the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Africa success in Botswana. That was the shorter format and this will be punishing.

Their being a permanent ODI nation opens up spaces. They will need to show the ICC from hereon, that the decision was right.

The games are scheduled for 5, 7, 9 and 11 October at Harare Sports Club.