Zimbabwe women set for first ever international match

Zimbabwe women are set to play their first international match when they take part in the World Cup regional qualifiers in December.

Zimbabwe Cricket have announced a 13-player squad to travel to Kenya for the competition, and named a further two reserves. The captain has not yet been chosen, although the hot favourite is Julia Chibhabha, a prolific batsman and one of the few female cricket coaches in the country.

A three-day camp for the players starts on Monday and this will be followed by a warm-up match against Mashonaland Under-16 boys' team at Takashinga Cricket Club on Saturday. They then return to Harare for a ten-day training session which starts on November 25. The squad leave on December 7.

The team will be managed by Joyce Chizano, a Manicaland Provincial Cricket Association committee member.

Jimmy Chikange, who has been managing the women's section, was delighted with Zimbabwe's progress. "This is truly a milestone achievement for both ZC as an organisation and the ladies that will be representing the country at this showcase," he told The Herald newspaper.

"It is indeed history in the making as no Zimbabwean women's team has ever featured in an official international match in the country's long cricket playing history that spans for over a century."

Squad Julia Chibhabha, Joana Chanjack, Ruvarashe Chinyemba, Stacey Davis, Emily Jinjika, Shaene Meyers, Thandolwenkosi Mlilo, Siphatisiwe Moyo, Sinikiwe Mpofu, Pellagia Mujaji, Mary-Anne Musonda, Nonthlanthla Nyathi, Yvonne Rainsford.

Reserves Sharice Saili, Thelma Tshuma.