adminand international players set to take part in the week long tournament that has for the first time been flavoured with schoolboy action.
West Indian batsman Chris Gayle is set to be the biggest attraction in the limited overs game after Bulawayo side Matabeleland Tuskers managed to get his signature.
Mid West Rhinos also have an international flavour with two foreign players in the form of New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent and Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait adding weight to the Midlands side.
Netherlands all rounder Ryan ten Doeschate is part of the Stuart Matsikenyeri led Mashonaland Eagles who are also the defending champions while Australian fast bowler Dirk Nannes turns out for eastern border town side Mountaineers.
Matsikenyeri, who crossed the floor from Southern Rocks – has the huge task of leading the defending champions in his debut season with the Oranges but he feels he has the support from the side to make it again this time round.
“The side did well last season and I hope it will stay the same this time as we have a strong side. We are well prepared and all the players are ready to give their all and retain the title,” said Matsikenyeri.
But the most excited players seem to be those that came from the various countries to play in Zimbabwe with Gayle – who is yet to meet his team mates – leading the pack as he “aims to keep in form” by playing in Zimbabwe. Gayle has not played for West Indies since the 2011 World Cup, following a breakdown in his relations with the West Indies Cricket Board.
Since then he has been restricted mostly to domestic Twenty20 competitions around the world and was the highest run scorer in this year’s Indian Premier League.
“I would rather be playing for West Indies but while that’s not possible I want to use my time wisely, entertain some people and try to do some good.
“I have been playing a lot of T20 games and when I got the invitation from ZC (Zimbabwe Cricket) I did not turn it down but welcomed it with open arms and so I am here to have a good time and enjoy the cricket in a different environment altogether.
“I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the team that I will be playing alongside. It has been a long time since I last played in Zimbabwe and I am just looking forward to the challenge. I will not underestimate any of the players here because first of all how we are going to play will be determined by the time, be it in the morning or in the afternoon and if it rains on the day of play.
“And because of this there is a number of young players who would like to prove themselves and make a name for themselves,” said Gayle.
Tait also spoke of his excitement at playing in the tournament.
“It is good that I am here as I will be exposed to the different cricket and I know there will be different opportunities for me as well,” said Tait.
And for the local players Rocks seamer Brian Vitori will make a return to all forms of cricket since suffering an injury during the Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe two months ago.
“I am fully fit now and I am back for my side and with a number of national team players in our side I think we have a fairly good chance to make it,” said Vitori
Among the national team players in the Rocks side are former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, Chamunorwa Chibhabha and forgotten son Tafadzwa Kamungozi.
However, Rhinos and national team captain Brandon Taylor is happy with his side and he believes that his recent form in the national team will have a positive impact on him in the upcoming tournament.
“The good thing about our side is that it is flexible and depending with how the coach expects the side to play on the day I can bat anywhere in the top four.”
One of the tournament organisers and former Zimbabwe player and selector Alistair Campbell is excited about the event as it has risen above his expectations given the response he got from the foreign players.
“I didn’t expect everyone to be able to accept our invitation but I’m especially pleased that Chris Gayle is coming all the way from Jamaica to be a part of the tournament.
“It makes it even more special for Zimbabwe Cricket that Chris was motivated by the chance to see how the game is progressing in our country and make a contribution to our development and return to competitive international cricket after a pretty bleak decade,” Campbell.
Matabeleland Tuskers:
Paul Horton, Charles Coventry, Chris Mpofu, Njabulo Ncube, Bradley Staddon, Keith Dabengwa, Keegan Meth, Craig Ervine, Steve Trenchard, Gavin Ewing, Glen Querl, Tafadzwa Ngulube, Adam Wheater, Tom Smith, Chris Gayle Coach: Dave Houghton.
Mashonaland Eagles:
Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Cephas Zhuwao, Trevor Garwe, Mark Mbofana, Nathan Waller, Kyle Jarvis, Ray Price, Andrew Hall, Rory Hamilton-Brown, Elton Chigumbura, Peter Trego, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Foster Mutizwa, Ryan Ten Doeschate.
Coach: Kevin Curran
MidWest Rhinos:
Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Roland Benade, Mike Chinouya, Neville Madziva, Simon Mugava, Richard Muzhange, Ian Nicolson, Remembrance Nyati, Ed Rainsford, Malcolm Waller, Gary Balance, Lou Vincent, Riki Wessels, Shaun TaitCoach: Jason Gillespie
Mountaineers:
Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Prosper Utseya, Shingirai Masakadza, Natsai Mushangwe, Kevin Kasuza, Donald Tiripano, Dirk Nannes, Chris Harris, Phil Mustard, Ned Eckersley, Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, Kudzai Sauramba
Coach: Gary Brent
Southern Rocks:
Tatenda Taibu, Brian Vitori, Alester Maregwede, Roy Kaia, Chamu Chibhabha, Prince Masvaure, Richmond Mutumbani, Tinashe Panyangara, Hilary Matanga, Tendai Chisoro, Robertson Chinyengetere, Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Alex Obanda, John KentCoach: Monty Lynch.
Online Reporter