CWCQ preview: Zimbabwe hope for home ground edge

Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer acknowledged that the Cricket World Cup qualifier would not be easy but opined that the home conditions could give them the edge.
The hosts are among ten nations vying for two spots at the table when the world’s elite teams contest the World Cup in 2019.
Cremer said: “It’s very, very special for us to have such a big tournament in our country.
“It will be a tough tournament, the associate teams have come a long way, but hopefully being in our home conditions, we will qualify.
“With the home crowd behind us, we are confident about our chances. It will be very special for me to captain the side and take the team through to the World Cup.”
ALSO READ: CWCQ preview: Afghanistan bank on tweakers
Hamilton Masakadza, who has scored more than 5,000 runs in ODI cricket, also hoped to draw inspiration from the crowd.
The 34-year-old said: “It’s very exciting to be playing at home.
“We have got a very passionate cricket following, they follow us quite closely, we owe them a lot.
“We are massively confident, because playing at home, that’s a massive advantage.
“The way the team is playing and gelling together, we are really confident that we have the team to go all the way in the tournament. It is very special to represent the country, for me, it’s my last chance to play in the World Cup.”
With only two spots available for the World Cup Zimbabwe will have to be at their best to make the cut against the likes of the West Indies, Afghanistan, Ireland and the dangerous Scotland and Netherlands teams.
Zimbabwe Squad: Graeme Cremer (captain), Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller.
Fixtures:
First round
March
4 A: Papua New Guinea v UAE, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
4 A: Ireland v Netherlands, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
4 B: Zimbabwe v Nepal, Queen’s Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
4 B: Afghanistan v Scotland, Bulawayo Athletic Club(07:30 GMT)
6 A: Papua New Guinea v Ireland, Harare Sports Club(07:30 GMT)
6 A: West Indies v UAE, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
6 B: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, Queen’s Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
6 B: Scotland v Hong Kong, Bulawayo Athletic Club(07:30 GMT)
8 A: Netherlands v UAE, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
8 A: West Indies v Papua New Guinea, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
8 B: Scotland v Nepal, Queen’s Sports Club(07:30 GMT)
8 B: Afghanistan v Hong Kong, Bulawayo Athletic Club (07:30 GMT)
10 A: West Indies v Ireland, Harare Sports Club(07:30 GMT)
10 A: Papua New Guinea v Netherlands, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
10 B: Zimbabwe v Hong Kong, Queen’s Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
10 B: Afghanistan v Nepal, Bulawayo Athletic Club (07:30 GMT)
12 A: West Indies v Netherlands, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
12 A: Ireland v UAE, Old Hararians(07:30 GMT)
12 B: Hong Kong v Nepal, Queen’s Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
12 B: Zimbabwe v Scotland, Bulawayo Athletic Club(07:30 GMT)
(Top three teams in each group qualify for Super Sixes; others move into play-offs)
Super Sixes and play-offs
15 A1 v B1, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
15 A3 v B3, Queen’s Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
15 Play-off: A5 v B4, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
15 Play-off: A4 v B5, Kwekwe (07:30 GMT)
16 A2 v B2, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
17 9th/10th place play-off, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
17 7th/8th place play-off. Kwekwe (07:30 GMT)
18 A2 v B3, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
19 A1 v B2, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
20 A3 v B1, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
22 A1 v B3, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
22 A3 v B2, Old Hararians (07:30 GMT)
23 A2 v B1, Harare Sports Club (07:30 GMT)
(Top two teams in Super Six make the final – both qualify for 2019 World Cup)
25 Final, Harare Sports Club (08:30 BST)
Latest
-
News
Ireland dig in after England seamer Stuart Broad rips through top order
Paul Stirling and James McCollum helped the tourists regroup.
-
News
Daniel Vettori: England’s winning habit more impressive than style of cricket
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have transformed England’s Test team with 10 wins from 12 matches.
-
News
England team bus delayed by five minutes after Just Stop Oil protests
The MCC has enhanced its security measures in some areas amid the threat of potential protests this week.
-
News
England’s bus journey to Lord’s halted by Just Stop Oil protesters
Jonny Bairstow revealed on his Instagram story that the trip had been delayed.
-
T20 Blast
James Vince becomes Blast’s leading run-scorer but Will Jacks spoils his night
Defending champions Hampshire have lost two of their first three matches.
-
The Ashes
Ben Stokes does not fear for future of Test cricket amid Ashes excitement
Ireland rested star bowler Josh Little following his IPL exploits to raise concerns over Test cricket’s future.
-
The Ashes
England captain Ben Stokes unconcerned over ability to bowl in the Ashes
Ben Stokes bowled only one over in the recent IPL.
-
Ireland
Ireland’s Curtis Campher ‘buzzing’ for Lord’s Test experience against England
The all-rounder has saved his best for the big occasions and would love a place on the honours board at the ‘Home of Cricket’.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire end winless run while Robin Das inspires Essex
Somerset beat Kent in the night’s other Vitality Blast fixture.
-
Ireland
Heinrich Malan sees ‘opportunity’ for Ireland to match England’s fire with fire
A team with a background as white-ball specialists will not hesitate to play attacking cricket at Lord’s.