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BULAWAYO Metropolitan giants Emakhandeni and Queens Sports Club will represent the City of Kings in the National Cricket League whose start has been moved by a week to May 24.
The National Cricket League which seeks to provide competition for most players who failed to make it into franchise teams will run for five weeks.
Each team will play three matches with four teams advancing to the semi-finals to be played on the fourth week with the finals set for week five.
John Nyumbu, one of the senior players at Emakhandeni Cricket Club said just like last year, they start with an away game against Mutare Sports Club who they beat by 90 runs and they are ready for the trip. The spin bowler who has won three Logan Cup titles with Matabeleland Tuskers said most youngsters in his team are looking forward to the National Cricket League. “Since there was no B League for franchise cricket this season, the national league provides a platform to fringe franchise cricket players as well as upcoming cricketers. Most of the guys failed to break into franchise cricket and this is a good opportunity to show that they have what it takes to play franchise competition,” Nyumbu said.
Emakhandeni will bank on Nyumbu, Matabeleland Tuskers skipper Sean Williams, Brian Chari who had a terrific season for the Logan Cup champions and Matabeleland Tuskers fringe players Thabo Mboyi and Stephen Chimhamhiwa. Matabeleland Tuskers Under-19 captain Bruce Sibanda also plays for Emakhandeni.
Queens Sports Club will be home to Old Hararians.
Victor Mhlanga, the Queens Sports Club chairman said they have enough arsenal to face their opponents and challenged youngsters who will compete in the National Cricket League to take the games seriously.
“The National Cricket League is very important as it gives boys a chance to showcase their talents. I think this is going to be an interesting five weeks for club cricket where youngsters who perform well might find themselves attracting interest from some franchises. Last year we failed to make it to the final and we have set a target of going all the way to the final this season,” Mhlanga said.
Online Reporter