Zimbabwe Cricket’s schools and age group manager Nick Singo has described the Zimbabwe Cricket Under-17 Week 2016 as a “jewel” in the sport’s development crown.

“The national weeks are the jewels in Zimbabwe Cricket’s development crown as they represent the progress our boys make through cricket,” Singo said.

The tournament got underway on Friday morning with Uganda Under-19 adding a foreign flavour to the event while the Zimbabwe Under-19 select is also part of the tournament.

But there is more at stake in the tournament than just coming out as winners as Zimbabwe Under-19 coach Stephen Mangongo will be paying close attention together with national selectors to pick Zimbabwe’s training squad for the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup set for New Zealand.

“The national Under-17 selectors will be on duty and consistent top performers will be recognised. It is important that all players realise that this is only another step towards higher honours and that lots of hard work lies ahead,” added Singo.

Four local Under-17 select sides – Lions XI, Buffalo XI, Leopards XI and Elephants XI – as well as a Zimbabwe Under-19 select and Uganda’s national Under-19 team are participating in the event.

Harare Sports Club, Old Hararians Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club are the three venues for the 50-over tournament where a total of 15 matches will be played.

“The Under-17 boys’ week is therefore an all-important fixture on the youth calendar of Zimbabwe Cricket.”

Squad Lists

Leopards XI
Squad: Milton Shumba (Churchill Boys - captain), Marshall Takodza          (Glenwood Durban), Aliakbar Hamid (Northwood, Durban), Rodney Mupfudza (Durban High), Jarrud Basson (Falcon College), Graig Dollar (St John’s College), Talent Dzikiti (Milton), Kieran Robinson (St George’s College), Manson Chikoore (Kwekwe), Hayden Brain (Peterhouse), Takudzwa Matimbe (Glen View), Tawanda Sithole (Prince Edward), Tashinga Musekiwa  (Churchill Boys).

Coach: Mufaro Chiturumani

Manager: Reginald Mutaramuswa

Lions   XI

Squad: Jayden Shadendoff  (St John’s College - captain), Alvin Chiradza (Northwood, Durban), Allister Frost (Hilton College, SA), Mathew Snyder (Falcon College), Liam Roche (St George’s College), Clive Madhande (Churchill), Privilege Chesa (Churchill), Anesu Chinevhu (Glen View), Jacob Mhlanga (Marondera High), Anish Nathoo (Westridge), Tatenda Sithole (Prince Edward), Clive Chiposi (Takashinga), Knowledge Mpala (Milton Boys)

Coach: Erick Chauluka

Manager: Lazarus Razawi

Buffalo XI

Squad: Tony Munyonga (Chitungwiza - captain), Tinashe Nenhunzi (Durban High, Durban), Tawanda Zimhindo  (Durban High, Durban), Declan Oldrieve (Falcon College), Pete Ades (St George’s College), Parudo Mugore (St George’s College), Tadiwa Marumani (Prince Edward), Wesley Madhevere  (Churchill), Munashe Chipara (Churchill), Tino Jakachira (Eaglesvale), Raul Vaughmaria (CBC), Farai Gunda (Churchill), Owen Muzondo (Churchill)

Coach: Johnson Marumisa

Manager: Russell Munyaradzi

Elephants XI

Squad: Mathew Connolly (Falcon College (Captain), Michael Booth (Hilton College, SA), Daniel Zvidzai (Northwood, SA), Tanu Makoni (Prince Edward), Phillip Woodhouse (Hellenic), Bright Phiri (Milton), Arnold Shara (Milton), Tadiwa Maravanyika (Midlands Christian College), Sean Dinglis (Gateway), Dean Milne (Peterhouse), Tinashe Musariri (Victoria High), Robert Chimhinya (Peterhouse), Tonderai Musakanda  (Kadoma)

Coach: Mubhobho

Manager: Danford Kamudati

Zimbabwe Under-19 Select

Squad:Nkosilathi Nungu (Milton), Aston Munene (Mutare Boys), Thamsanqa Nunu (Milton), Jonathan Fredricks  (Bulawayo), Shane Nxumalo (Bulawayo), Keith Jaure (Falcon College), Rugare Magarira (Eaglesvale), Ryan Murray (St John’s College), Allan Zhou (Prince Edward), Christopher Masike  (Prince Edward), Praise Madzore (Prince Edward), Declan Vermaak (Hellenic), Ashlon Chibvuri (Churchill), Brandon Chitongo (Churchill), Blessing Muzarabani  (Takashinga)

Coach: Stanley Timoni

Manager: Vincent Dururu

Uganda Under-19

Squad: Brian Adriko, Kenneth Waiswa, Zephania Arinaitwe, Ronald Opio, Rogers Olipa, Collins Okwalinga, Siraje Nsubuga, Frank Akankwasa, Ashiraf Senkubuge, Eddie Agaba, Aarya Parikh, Abishek Mashru, Trevor Bukenya, Steven Wabwose

Coach: Henry Okecho

Manager: Martin Ondeko