The Zimbabwe national cricket team might have missed out on the International Cricket Council World Cup in India much to the disappointment of their legion of fans but former Chevrons international player, Andy Pycroft, made up for the disappointment with an appearance in the final between hosts and Australia.
The Chevrons planted daggers in the hearts of many after losing to Scotland in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Bulawayo to crash out of the race for India 2023.
Pycroft, a 67-year-old Zimbabwean legal practitioner who used to be a partner with Wintertons and sits on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of match referees, made it all the to final. He was the match referee in the final between India and Australia before a 130 000-capacity crowd that included Prime Ministers of India, Narendra Modi. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was also in attendance while Zimbabwe Cricket board chairperson, Tavengwa Mukuhlani association's managing director, Givemore Makoni also watched the final in India on Sunday.
The on-field umpires were Richard IIIingworth and Richard Kettleborough, the third umpire was Joel Wilson with Chris Gaffaney assuming the role of fourth umpire.
Australia emerged six-wicket winners on the backdrop of Travis Head's 137. The Chevrons have another shot at Qualifiers and left for Namibia yesterday for the ICC Men's Cricket T20 World Cup Qualifier. The top two teams will qualify for the 2024 games to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA.
