Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
OVER 500 budding cricketers are competing in the Annual Stragglers Junior Cricket Week which roared into life on Monday at Hartmann House School in Harare.
The annual cricket development programme which has been running for over 60 years has transformed several junior cricket players into international stars.
Some of the players who have passed through the programme include Chevrons captain, Craig Ervine, head coach Dave Houghton former captains Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura and Brendan Taylor, among others.
The Stragglers week offers primary school children an opportunity to test their skills.
“This is the only tournament where primary school children play five matches in one week. For some children this is the most they play in a year, and we are grateful to be playing our part in the development of cricket in Zimbabwe,” said Stragglers Chairperson, Win Ives.
The youth week brings together young players from across the country, while Zambia has also sent in their players to learn from the best.
“We have children from all over Zimbabwe that is Bulawayo, Mutare, Shamva, Gweru you name it here in Harare we have kids from Glen Norah, Highfields, Mbare etc and we are grateful to Stanbic for sponsoring this tournament,” added Ives.
The annual youth cricket week, which also attracts the best development coaches in the country, is sponsored by Stanbic Bank who have partnered Stragglers Cricket Club for 27 years.
