adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
MOUNTAINEERS International Cricket Council World Cup-bound players Hamilton Masakadza and Tendai Chatara proved to be in top form against Matabeleland Tuskers on Wednesday at Mutare Sports Club, leading their team to victory.The Mountain Goats as they are fondly known put up a sterling performance and trounced the visitors by 131-runs, ending the match 255/124.
Mountaineers had been struggling in the past two games since the domestic franchise league resumed last week Wednesday.
Masakadza and Chatara proved to be in top form against Tuskers, the current log-leaders as if they were sending a loud message why they were selected to be part of the Chevron squad (Cricket national team) that leaves the country next Wednesday for World Cup preparatory friendly matches.
The World Cup is slated from February 14 to March 29 in Australia and New Zealand.
Masakadza was the top-scorer (85), while Chatara had four wickets to his name, also scoring the highest wickets in the match.
Mountaineers took some fast wickets showing impeccable form in their fielding. Tuskers on the other hand struggled to bat that at one point they were 72/7 with only three men left chasing 256 runs.
Tuskers’ Goodwill Mamhiwa, however, had some impressive runs scoring the highest runs for his team (35), while their pace bowler Chris Mpofu also held fort with three-wickets to his name.
Wednesday’s matches concluded the second-round of the Pro50 championship. Despite their defeat to Mountaineers, the Bulawayo giants remained on top of the log.
Mountaineers had ended the first-round on second place, but are now down to position three trailing Tuskers and Mashonaland Eagles.
Eagles added points on the board on Wednesday after beating MidWest Rhinos in Kwekwe by 43 runs to secure their second- place spot.
The Kwekwe-based Rhinos still sit at the bottom of the log with only four-points.
The quiet and composed strong right-hand batsman, Masakadza after the match, said he was content with his fitness and was ready to represent his country at the World Cup.
“I am feeling good about my fitness. I am striking the ball well and ready for the World Cup. This may be my first World Cup, but I have had a lot of international games experience so I am not nervous at all,” he said.
Commenting on his career and prospects in cricket, the 32-year-old batsman, said he still had a lot of cricket left in him, so his main concern for now was the World Cup ahead.
Mountaineers star bowler, Chatara, who now has 20 international ODIs and seven Test cricket experience, said he was more than ready for the World Cup.
According to last year’s Reliance International Cricket Council One-Day International rankings, Chatara climbed to a career high 48th place, after taking six wickets for 189 run in four matches on their tour against Bangladesh.
This catapulted the 25-year-old fast bowler to become Zimbabwe’s highest ranked bowler.
“I feel I am on top of my game now and more than ready to give my best at the World Cup. I am usually the opening bowler, which means I have to be at my best to always give my team a good start.
“The weather conditions in Australia are the same as in Zimbabwe so it will not be a problem for us to adjust,” said Chatara.
Mountaineers coach, Shepherd Makunura, said they still had a shot to overturn the table and defend both their titles, Pro50 and Logan Cup.
He said he had strong reserves that would uphold the team for the rest of the season without the World Cup bound players.
“Today’s performance shows what we can do as the Mountain Goats. We were lacking on the bowling, but even without Chatara, there is Natsai Mshangwe, Shingi Masakadza and Donald Tiripano who are equal to the task.
“I am confident we will retain both titles and we will continue to pull up our game in the third round of the Pro50 championship,” said the upbeat Makunura after the match.
Online Reporter