adminTuskers’ Steven Trenchard to fill the void left by the two top order batsmen.
Zimbabwe-born Alex Smith, who has been playing County cricket in England for the past 12 years, and all rounder Jaik Mickleburgh have also been taken on board to strengthen the side whose first match will be a One Day match against Southern Rocks at Masvingo Sports Club on October 10.
Rhinos area manager, Admire Marodza, confirmed the departure of Ballance and Wessels before unveiling the incoming quar- tet.
“Gary (Ballance) will not be part of Midwest Rhinos for the upcoming season because he was recently drafted into the England High Performance team and would want to remain in that country to enhance his chances of being called up for the England national team while Rikki Wessels has also decided to stay in that country for the same reason.
“The franchise has already roped in Mark Vermerluen from Southern Rocks and Matabeleland Tuskers’ Steven Trenchard to fill the places left by the two players.
“The two players will be on earn-as-you-play contracts. To further strengthen the team we have also acquired the services of Alex Smith who is a Zimbabwean who was based in England for the past 12 years and Jaik Mickleburgh.
“Both players have already signed contracts with us and now training with the rest of the team,” Marodza said.
It is the departure of Ballance, nephew to former Zimbabwe skipper and coach Dave Houghton, which is likely to be felt in the Midlands and Mashonaland West franchise side’s dressing room as he had been one of the consistent performers with the bat and at one time contemplated turning out for Zimbabwe.
However, Rhinos still have the quality which might see them putting a trophy in their cabinet which has remained empty in the past two years.
National team skipper Brendan Taylor, franchise captain Vusimuzi Sibanda, national team debutant Richard Muzhange, seamer Edward Rainsford and Graeme Cremer
form the backbone of the team to do duty this season.
Recently, the Kwekwe Sports Club-based team announced the appointment of national team batting coach Grant Flower as the side’s new mentor, taking over from Australian expatriate Jason Gillespie who left the country at the end of last season to take charge of England County side Yorkshire.
Online Reporter