ZimPups presents Moon Shadows Barnyard Premiere!

Howdy pardners!

Another magical Barnyard Blockbuster is coming to Harare and, happily, we’ve secured the Premiere on Tuesday 2 October from 7pm till late! Wear a touch of something Country and Western…..boots, a Stetson, checked shirt…..holsters and water pistols….?

WE are ZimPups, a group of parents who have formed this highly committed fund-raising committee to ensure that the most-talented national u16 players get to play more, better cricket and go on tours. We have lofty ambitions, including an overseas tour, hence the fund raising initiatives. Although we fall under the auspices of Zimbabwe Cricket, and have their support, we keep our own funds and use them at our discretion. For example, a successful golf day early this year paid entirely for an u16 Zimbabwe team tour to South Africa.

THE SHOW is the fabulous Moon Shadows that has received rave reviews in South Africa. It’s a tribute to Country, Folk and Rock Legends and features the music of Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Adele, Cat Stevens, Shania Twain, The Eagles. Here’s the poster:

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s137/sh/bbbacf13-4d60-4d01-9d82-5b05b9364e6c/12390350bcaba494536b4b1870b33a41    Please help us by forwarding!!!!

We are selling in Tables of 10 for $250, so whip up your friends or corporate clients and come and enjoy a fabulous evening with many other surprises. A reminder that the last premiere, for Bumi Hills anti-poaching, sold out all 40 tables in four days and many were left disappointed. Those who came to Six of the Best and other Barnyards were astonished and exhilarated and will well remember some of the fantastic cast:

-          Tian was Meat Loaf in Six of the Best

-          Jason Ziehl was the amazing guitarist in Dancing Queen

-          Tagan was the violinist in Beethoven

-          Johann Liebenberg was the truly astounding Neil Diamond vocalist in Diamond and Pearls. He said: “I came to Zimbabwe as a Barnyard musician and I left a rock star.”

They’ll all be here for Moon Shadows!!!

HOW TO BOOK

Call Heather Evans on 0772 317 224 or email her on hevans@yoafrica.com or

Call Leanne Hopper on 0772 334 604 or email her on hopper@zol.co.zw

Chipembere on tour….Boots & All!

National Age Group Coach, David Mutendera, has submitted this report  on the Chipembere u-13 team’s tours to Masvingo:

On behalf of Zimbabwe Cricket,I would like to thank Bakers Inn for making this trip possible. Chipembere U13 cricket team travelled to Masvingo to play the Under 13 Southern Rocks Franchise development squad selected from various junior schools from Masvingo. Many thanks go to Southern Rocks for inviting Chipembere School, accommodating them and catering for everything during their four-day stay in Masvingo.

The two teams played two 20/20 matches and two  50over matches at Masvingo Sports Club. Chipembere won three out of four matches. Southern Rocks managed to win one of the 50 over matches, but great cricket was played by both teams in the true spirit of the game.

Players from both teams experienced playing 50 over matches for the first time and also playing on proper grass wickets. Most players also had the opportunity to use cricket boots for the first time in their early careers, courtesy of Bakers Inn

Most Outstanding players from Chipembere School were Tsungai Motsi, Rodrick Mufudza,Tawanda Zimhindo and Marshal Takodza. Southern Rocks had Tanunurwa Makoni, Takunda Madembo, Nkosilati Nungu and Tapiwa Masiriri doing well for them. A Job well done  from the coaches of both teams,Emmanual Dube for Southern Rocks and I. Makiyi for Chipembere.

More matches between Franchise development squads will assist in the development of cricket in the high densities of Zimbabwe, and more good players can be scouted at an early age. On this note I would to thank Bakers Inn for supporting Zimbabwe Cricket’s development of cricket at grassroots level. Your support will go a long way in making our future little stars realize their dream of playing cricket at the highest level.

RESULTS

First 20/20 – Southern Rock 88 all out, Chipembere 90/6, Chipembere won by four wickets.

Second 20/20 – Southern Rock 115/8, Chipembere 117/4 , Chipembere won by six wickets

First 50 over match – Southern Rocks 186/9, Chipembere 130, Southern Rock won by 56 runs.

Second 50 Over match – Chipembere 176/7 Southern Rock 115, Chipembere won by 61 runs.

Zimbabwe batsmen battle on slow Brakpan piches

Zimbabwe’s under-16 batsmen were tormented by ultra-slow pitches and spongy outfields at the annual Easterns Cricket Union festival at Brakpan, South Africa, that ended on Sunday (July 8).

Their bemusement and lack of experience in such alien conditions resulted in a  disappointing outcome for a talented team that won four and lost three of their astonishingly low-scoring matches. Not a single 50 was registered by a Zimbabwe batsman with captain Tatenda Chiradza’ s 49 the highest. Swashbuckling left-hander Tabryz Butt notched up a 43 while the next highest Zimbabwe individual score was 29.

The dismal batting is reflected in the fact that there were only 10 individual innings’ over 15  and that Zimbabwe only twice reached a total of 100 – eeking out a narrow victory over Namibia and having to chase down 130 to beat Easterns Youth in the festival’s only day allocated to a longer version of 40 overs. The Youth Development players were all a year younger than the Zimbabweans who lost eight wickets in battling to a victory.

All six other matches were T20 or 25 overs where Zimbabwe’s inexperience in this format was exposed, especially in snatching quick singles and optimising advantage off bad balls. Left-hander Richie Lock, who batted at three throughout, was the most consistent batsman and recorded scores of 16, 26 not out, 13 and 29 not out.

Others who reached 10 or more were Blessed Muzite (27, 21), Tabryz Butt (43), Tatenda Chiradza  (49), Eddie Byrom (11, 17 not out), Brad Evans (10, 18), Kyle Hopper (17, 11 not out). Byrom’s undefeated 17, coming in at an unaccustomed number eight with Zimbabwe a perilous 21-6, was the match-clincher together with Lock in a solid partnership. In the opening match Zimbabwe could not chase down a meagre 68 runs; opener Muzite played correctly but scoring one run in 18 balls put Zimbabwe on the back foot.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers, however, could hold their heads high in coping with the pressure of such low scores. While there was not a stand-out bowler Tatenda Chiradza, Kush Patel, Kyle Hopper, Mark Hulbert, Brad Evans, Dean Peall and Blessed Muzite all played their roles well and shared the spoils. Slow left-armer Patel was an effective opener in most matches with accuracy and good length to stifle runs upfront.  A three-wicket haul was rare and only three Zimbabwe bowlers achieved this – Chiradza 3/6 in 4; Hopper 3/7 in 4; Evans 3/12.

The Zimbabwe fielding was sharp and inspired most of the time, but again the lack of T20 experience and tactics cost them the final game. From a dominant position after 13 of the allotted overs they failed to stem the run-a-ball wave of quick singles. Fielders needed to be even closer to the bat.

SCORES

ZIMBABWE UNDER 16

Zimbabwe v Easterns (20/20)

Easterns 68/6 in 20 (Corrin 26; T. Chiradza 3/6); Zimbabwe 65/8 in 20 (R. Lock 16, E. Byrom 11, B. Evans 10). Easterns won by 3 runs.

Zimbabwe v Griqualand West (25 overs)

Zimbabwe 88 all out in 22 overs (B. Muzite 27, R. Lock 26 not out); Griquas 92/7 in 24,2 overs. Griquas won by 3 wickets.

Zimbabwe v Easterns Under-15 (20/20)

Easterns 58/9 in 20 overs (Hulbert 2/7, Hopper 3/6); Zimbabwe 59/7 in 14 overs (E. Byrom 17 not out, R. Lock 13). Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets.

Zimbabwe v Namibia (25 overs)

Namibia 100/9 in 25 overs  (T. Chiradza 2/11, B. Evans 3/12); Zimbabwe 103/2 in 23,5 overs (B. Muzite 21, T. Butt 43). Zimbabwe  won by 8 wickets.

Zimbabwe v Griqualand West (20/20)

Zimbabwe 99/8 in 20 overs (K. Hopper 17); Griquas 80/8 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe won by 19 runs.

Zimbabwe v Easterns Youth Development (40 overs)

Easterns 129/8 in 40 overs (A. Pretorius 45);  Zimbabwe 133/8 in 30,3 overs (T. Chiradza 49, Hopper 11 not out; Extras 42). Zimbabwe won by 2 wickets.

Zimbabwe v Easterns (20/20)

Zimbabwe 101/6 in 20 overs; Easterns 102/5 in 19,3 overs. (B. Evans 2/16). Easterns won by 5 wickets.

The Spirit of Cricket is tops…but Zimbabwe u-16 keen to impress at EJCCA Festival

Kabelo Sekhukhune…Daveyton Township boy on a full cricket scholarship

Zimbabwe under-16 faces a daunting challenge in the eighth Eastern Junior Club Cricket Association (EJCCA) festival in Brakpan from July 4-8.

This is one of South Africa’s premier development festivals where there is no declared winner, but rather the spirit of cricket is pervasive and the top honour is the Sportsmanship Award for the player displaying outstanding etiquette that may be won by any player regardless of his skills level. The  same applies to the Festival Team Award where the parameters will be spirit, discipline, dress code, general manners and encouragement on the field.

However, Zimbabwe u-16 will be razor-keen to demonstrate that they can compete with the best for their age group that is headquartered at the United Cricket Club’s Hosking Park ground in Brakpan., 35km from Johannesburg. Other countries competing include Namibia, Swaziland and Botswana while there will also be strong South African provincial representation from Easterns (the former East Rand), Griqualand West from Kimberley and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

For updates take a look at www.easternscricket.co.za and www.ejcca.co.za

Zimbabwe’s team is drawn from only a handful of schools, whereas hosts Easterns can tap into more than 500 schools  that feature 24 clubs that attract the top players. The Easterns area population of 2,5 million people encapsulates Benoni, Springs, Boksburg, Kempton, Brakpan, Nigel and many townships where the development of cricket is strong – Duduza, Tembisa, Vosloous, Khahune, Tskona, Kwa Thema and Daveyton.

Easterns have produced four Proteas under-19 players over the past five years and showed their mettle with some superb performances during the four-team festival in Harare in April. Spinner Kabelo Sekhukhune is one of their outstanding development players and attends Hansmoore High School in the Daveyton township, where he is on a full Easterns cricket scholarship sponsored by Afrisun (www.africansuntrust.co.za).

Who will forget that swashbuckling 105 not out by left-hander Divan de Beer in April that oh-so-nearly snatched the game away in the final overs from Zimbabwe u-16. Other formidable Easterns batsmen include Adam Forbes, Zander Els, and captain Matthew Corin.

As the festival draws closer we’ll take a look at the Zimbabwe u-16 players who will face them.

Below: Zimbabwe spinner Takudzwa Takodza a real talent from Highfields High School.

Lucky Zim u16 players fish with the Proteas

Two lucky Zimbabwe u-16 players, Kyle Hopper & Eddie Byrom, enjoyed a dream day on Thursday this week fishing with some of the South African Proteas at a dam outside Harare. From left: Albie Morkel, Colin Ingram, Kyle Hopper (15), Eddie Byrom (15) and Marchant de Lange.

The party caught eight bass, the biggest being almost 5kg by De Lange. Kyle & Eddie totalled zero….let’s hope they do better in the EJCCA festival at Brakpan from July 4-8.

If you’re an u-15 or u-16 cricketer in Zimbabwe (born 1997 or 1998) send us your stories about some of the celebrity players you may have met in your time…and a photo if you have one! We know that when Brad Evans was very small he sat on Sachin Tendulkar’s knee…who have you met? Send your story to glen@hatchconsulting.biz

Here’s a photo of a happy De Lange with his fish on Thursday!

An ITEM or an IDEA is our appeal to you to help our national U16 cricket team go on an overseas tour

Dear Cricketing Parents, Players, Supporters and Followers

Our ZimPups Under-16 Zimbabwe Parents Fund-Raising Committee is highly energised and setting out to raise a massive target of US$100,000 before the end of 2012 with the sole purpose of ensuring the most talented national players in this age group get MORE and BETTER quality cricket, including an overseas tour.

This means BIG ideas. We have two or three of these and need to GET GOING FAST!  One is an on-line auction of attractive items where our objective is to attain 100 items that reach an average of US$500 each = a target of $50,000. WE have to set our bar high!

We won’t hold out our cap and ask for donations, but YOU can help us achieve this target by thinking of a) contributing an item/s that will be attractive to collectors; b) a product voucher of sorts; c) an idea of what might be good and whom we might approach.

This is our launch appeal, but just through word-of-mouth we already have several great items for starters! A world celebrity cricketer is donating a current top test team’s shirt signed by the entire team; Mark Manolios Sports in Harare is donating a golf ball signed by Nicky Price and Mark McNulty during the Prince Edward School centenary several years ago; an idyllic Devon UK hotel has given us four nights bed and breakfast for two valued at $1,000; we have a few very old Wisdens…etc, etc.

Can you help? We want to make this a real winner and would hugely appreciate your support or ideas.

Contact: Glen Byrom. E – glenbyrom@yoafrica.com  T – +263-4-495020.  Skype: glen.byrom

BELOW: Zimbabwe u16 leg-spinner Kyle Hopper of St John’s College in action 

www.glenbyrom.wordpress.com

@ZimPups

Tatenda Chiradza to lead Zimbabwe under-16 in South Africa

Tatenda Chiradza

Prince Edward School’s Tatenda Chiradza will captain Zimbabwe under-16 in the Easterns Junior Cricket Club Association (EJCCA) Festival to be held in Brakpan near Johannesburg from July 4-8, 2012.

This will be the eighth year of this event and will feature eight teams, including Easterns, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Griqualand West, KwaZulu Natal, Swaziland and Botswana.

The national team, comprising 14 and 15 year olds, is dominated by Mashonaland Eagles players who provide 10 of the 13, five of them from St John’s College, Harare.

From the ranks of the high-density areas development programme comes a fine prospect in spinner Takudzwa Takodza from Highfields High School, while Blessed Muzite is from Southern Rocks, Masvingo, and is a correct and talented top-order batsman.

Zimbabwe Under-16: Tatenda Chiradza (Prince Edward, captain), Tabayz Butt (Ridgeview High, Harare), Kieran Dunn (Hellenic Harare), Bradley Evans (St John’s), Kyle Hopper (St John’s), Adam Keefe (Falcon College, Matabeleland), Richard Lock (St John’s), Edward Byrom (St John’s), Blessed Muzite (Kyle College, Masvingo), Kush Patel (St George’s), Dean Peall (Peterhouse, Marondera), Takudzwa Takodza (Highfields High), Mark Hulbert (St John’s). Coach: Wayne James. Manager: John Nyumbu.