THE curtain came down on a fun-filled week of grassroots cricket last week with seasoned players, coaches and parents hailing the Stanbic Bank-sponsored Stragglers Cricket Festival.
Some of the current Zimbabwe players, led by their captain Hamilton Masakadza, took time from their training camp with the senior side to sign autographs and support the future stars of the game in the country.
Masakadza was joined by P J Moor, Brandon Taylor, Ryan Burl and the youngest member of the Chevrons, Liam Roche.
All the five participated in the festival when they were still at primary school from grades 4 to 7.
Former cricketer, Stewart Matsikenyere, also showed up at the festival as a parent as his 11-year-old son, Jayden, was playing.
These cricket stalwarts gave their thumbs-up to the week-long cricket festival, describing it as “the best tournament for junior cricket development in the country.’’
The annual Stragglers Cricket Festival burst into life on Monday 27 August at Hartman House and St George’s College, with over 200 boys, aged between 9 to 12, taking part, each playing five matches where they all batted and bowled.
While the matches were competitive, the Stragglers Festival organisers ensured that the highest level of fair play was upheld.
Masakadza became the youngest cricketer to score a century on Test debut at the age of 17 years and 254 days with a brilliant 119 against the West Indies.
This record has, however, since been eclipsed by Mohammad Ashraful.
“Stragglers is a very important festival and is an excellent platform for not only identifying talent but for young people to enjoy themselves playing the game they love.
‘’I definitely would like to see it continue into the foreseeable future,’’ said Masakadza.
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