AFTER the first World Cup match to ever be played at Takashinga Cricket Club between the Zimbabwe Under-19 National team and Scotland was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield, many began to question the suitability of the venue in hosting such a high-profile tournament.
Daggers began to be thrown around and social media went into overdrive berating the decision-makers, with some suggesting shifting all the remaining six World Cup matches to Harare Sports Club, which has the best drainage system in the country.
Many forgot that cricket is traditionally a summer sport and the Under-19 World Cup is always played during the January window, and rain has always had its say in one or two games.
The cricket gods, however, won, with all the subsequent games being played in spite of the threat of inclement weather.
This Under-19 World Cup has been dubbed “cricket finally coming home”, and on Sunday, even the naysayers could not help but admire how colourful the ground looked, packed to the rafters with a partisan home crowd that came to spur the young Chevrons in their match against England.
Light patches of drizzle at the beginning of the match could not dampen the spirit of the vociferous crowd; they stayed patient, like a batsman starting out at the crease.
The biggest ever crowd seen at Takashinga was treated to some delightful cricket in patches by the young Chevrons, which ultimately was not enough to upstage England, who emerged victorious by eight wickets.
But from a tournament perspective, the plan to host matches at Takashinga proved to be a masterstroke, as some supporters had to find somewhere to stand as the ground had reached full capacity.
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It was great to see people of all races, young, old, and from all walks of life, being part of the cricket carnival in Highfield, enjoying a different cricket experience.
Tatenda Johannes, an avid cricket fan, was amazed by how magnificent the ground looked and how people had come out in their numbers to cheer the future stars.
“I never miss a cricket match, and at Harare Sports Club, I normally sit at the embarkment, and it was good for a change to sit at the newly built embarkment at Takashinga,” he said.
“I am disappointed with the result, but seeing such a big crowd in Highfield, I can only say cricket was the winner.”
A resident of Old Highfield, Chido Munyoro, was just happy that the world got to taste the hospitality of her neighbourhood.
“I am thankful to the organisers for bringing the world to Highfield and letting them see for themselves that this is a wonderful place, not the stereotypes that they hear,” Munyoro said.
“Takashinga has given them several national team players, and it was a chance for everyone to see our oasis of hope, a sign and a wonder.”
Zimbabwe face Pakistan tomorrow in a must-win game if they entertain any hopes of qualifying for the Super Six stage.
Another big crowd is expected again at the spiritual home of cricket.
