'Playing in a World Cup is the ultimate goal' – Sharne Mayers
Mayers is part of a Zimbabwe team that is battling it out with Namibia in the final of the ICC Women's Africa Qualifiers on Sunday, 12 May.
She has been in spectacular form, having hit two half-centuries in the tournament. She smashed a 45-ball 62 in the first match, against Mozambique, helping Zimbabwe to a huge total of 198/3 in 20 overs. She followed that up with 65 off 50 balls against Tanzania, and a solid 40 against Rwanda. The right-hander is the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 180 runs in four matches at an average of 60.
The 26-year-old had captained Zimbabwe at the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Global Qualifier, but the team failed to make it to the big tournament. This time, however, she is very clear about what she wants. "Playing in a World Cup is the ultimate goal. It is something that I really want to achieve before I retire from the game," she told The Sports Hub.
Women's Qualifier 2019 – Africa: Zimbabwe's Sharne Mayers brings up her fifty
"As a team, we are currently so motivated and focused on achieving our goals. We all know what we want, and it fits with the team goals, so I have no doubt we will go all the way, especially if we continue on our current path."
Zimbabwe have been excellent throughout the tournament, winning four out of four games to top the Group A table. Mayers attributed her success to her coaches as well as to the efforts she has put in.
"I have worked hard for this, and I also got a lot of feedback from my coaches on how to go about my innings. It feels good performing for my team, and I hope to continue doing more," she said.
Mayers, who comes from a big sporting family, has also represented Zimbabwe in hockey in which she is also a qualified umpire. Having made her Zimbabwe debut at a young age, she has come a long way to achieve her goals.
"I started playing backyard cricket at about six, before I started playing at school when I was about 10," she said. "And I made my debut for the national team in one-day international matches at 14."
The winner of Zimbabwe v Namibia will book a spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier as well as the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, taking Mayers one step closer towards her long-awaited dream.