Nearly 500 young cricketers have gathered at Hartmann House and St George’s College for the 2026 Stragglers Cricket Week, as Zimbabwe’s premier grassroots cricket development programme seeks to nurture the next generation of players.

The Stanbic Bank-sponsored week-long programme began on Monday and runs until Friday, bringing together primary school children aged between nine and 12 from across the country.

Stragglers Cricket Week representative Win Ives said this year’s edition was running at full capacity, with increased participation by girls highlighting the programme’s growing appeal.

“We have registered 236 players, and six development sides have been slated to participate throughout the week, bringing an additional 240 players,” said Ives.

The tournament is divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with Grades 4 and 5 playing in the morning and Grades 6 and 7 taking to the field in the afternoon.

Twelve teams participate in each session, including two development sides, with players placed into teams named after cricket-playing nations, including England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka.

The format is designed to maximise participation rather than focus solely on results, with every player guaranteed at least two overs per match and batting orders rotated daily to give youngsters equal opportunities.

“It’s a wonderful week for our young cricketers,” Ives said. “Each player is placed in a team named after a cricket-playing country, such as England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka, and every day each country plays against a different one.”

She added that wicketkeeping was open to any interested player, while every participant was required to contribute in the field.

“It is a great way to start the season, with plenty of practice and performance certificates to be won while having loads of fun,” she said.

The development sides have been drawn from Mabvuku, Highfield, Mashonaland Central, Chitungwiza, Glen View and Glen Norah, creating an opportunity for young players from community cricket programmes to compete against youngsters from established schools.

Players from elite schools are predominantly drawn from Harare and Marondera, although the programme has also attracted participants from Bulawayo, Kwekwe and Chegutu.

Ives said the interaction between players from different backgrounds was one of the programme’s most important features.

“Stragglers is an amazing way of meeting cricket friends and like-minded people. The development sides are exposed to playing against players whom they might not otherwise have the opportunity to face,” she said.

The tournament has also received continued backing from Stanbic Bank, which provides shirts for registered and development players and funds meals for coaches and development players.

Stanbic Bank Head of Brand and Marketing Tariro Memo said the bank was proud to support the programme as part of its wider corporate social investment strategy.

“Stanbic Bank’s involvement in Stragglers Week forms part of a broader and well-calculated Corporate Social Investment initiative that spans several pillars, including health, environmental sustainability and sanitation, education, and sport,” said Memo.

The importance of the tournament extends beyond the five-day competition, with the programme having served as an early platform for several cricketers who went on to represent Zimbabwe at senior international level.

Former and current national team players who participated in Stragglers at primary school level include Matthew Campbell, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Kundai Matigimu, Dion Myers, Ben Curran, Mike Frost, Jono Campbell, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl and Brian Bennett.

With nearly 500 players taking part this year, Stragglers Cricket Week continues to provide a pathway for young cricketers to gain competitive experience, develop fundamental skills and, importantly, experience the game in an environment where participation is prioritised alongside performance.