adminThe championship race for the country’s most coveted silverware has been confined to the two clubs with Midwest Rhinos, Manicaland Mountaineers and Southern Rocks falling by the wayside.
Saturday’s clash at Queens Sports Club is a must-win encounter for both clubs as they seek to lay their hands on the Castle Logan Cup.
Tuskers are the defending champions and trail Eagles by five points.
The encounter would be Eagles’ last game of the season while Tuskers still have an outstanding fixture against Midwest Rhinos.
A victory for Eagles who have amassed 27 points from six outings would see them winning the Castle Logan Cup.
If Tuskers win the match, the reigning champions would have to collect maximum points against Midwest Rhinos to retain the title.
Tuskers’ chief operations officer Samu Nkiwane said they were preparing hard for the Mashonaland Eagles game and was hopeful that they would retain the Castle Logan Cup.
“Everyone has been working hard to make sure that we successfully defend the Castle Logan Cup. As it is the technical team has been taking the boys through their paces doing fitness and other field training. Judging by the players’ attitude, I am confident that Tuskers will win against Eagles and complete a memorable double,” Nkiwane said.
Tuskers demolished Eagles in the first leg played in Harare last year as they won by an innings and 228 runs.
The Harare game saw Glen Querl playing for the first time for Tuskers and the pace bowler took six wickets while Briton Paul Horton got his 13th first class cricket century.
Brandon Staddon took four wickets to inspire Tuskers to a memorable win.
Another plus for Tuskers is that they go into the match with a strong side with only Keegan Meth doing national duty in New Zealand.
Zimbabwe will play their last match in New Zealand on 14 February and this means that Eagles’ key players Stewart Matsikenyeri, bowling sensation Karl Jarvis, Regis Chakabva, Forster Mutizwa and Elton Chigumbura will miss their franchise’s crucial game.
Some of the players that are expected to lead Tuskers in the final stretch include seamer Njabulo ‘Papa’ Ncube, Terrence Duffin, Paul Horton, newly signed Briton Richard Jones, all-rounders Keith Dabengwa and captain Gavin Ewing, top order batsman Stephen
Trenchard, Sean Ervine, wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Ngulube and Bradley Staddon.
Nkiwane called on Bulawayo cricket enthusiasts to rally behind Tuskers.
Online Reporter