adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TWO games into the second third of the Logan Cup, former champions Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise have lost ground and will now struggle to reclaim the most coveted title in domestic cricket following their nine-wicket loss to Mashonaland Eagles on Wednesday. It was Matabeleland Tuskers’ second defeat in a row having lost to MidWest Rhinos before their trip to Harare.
The Bulawayo-based cricket outfit last won the prestigious Logan Cup in the 2012-13 season and in just two games they have surrendered the top position to MidWest Rhinos and blown away an eight-point lead.
Wayne James, Matabeleland Tuskers’ coach said they are feeling the absence of the national team trio of Sean Williams, Tawanda Mupariwa and Craig Ervine who are at the ICC World Cup finals. This is despite the fact that their opponents have six players on national duty.
He also blamed the lapse of concentration by his fielders for their defeat in Harare which allowed MidWest Rhinos to climb to pole position with 20 points, three above Matabeleland Tuskers.
“Everyone is very disappointed with the latest developments that have seen us drop points because of our failure to do the basics correctly. In the match against Mashonaland Eagles it was a case of playing one session well and performing terribly in the other. Fielding let us down as we had about six drops which is too much and at the end of the day it affected our mindset when we went to bat,” said James.
“Despite losing top spot, we aren’t throwing in the towel because I believe we have great talent in our squad which can challenge for the title. What’s important is to get all departments to click. The guys have to have that zeal, hunger and eagerness to win more than their opponents.”
James believes that the title race is still wide open as all the teams are within striking distance.
On Sunday, Matabeleland Tuskers will take on Manicaland Mountaineers in Mutare hoping for a return to winning ways which will ensure that they keep breathing down on MidWest Rhinos’ neck.
Seasoned players Keith Dabengwa, Brian Vitori, John Nyumbu, Richmund Mutumbami and Brian Chari are expected to lead the Bulawayo club in Mutare while Manicaland Mountaineers will pin their hopes on Forster Mutizwa, Shingirai Masakadza and Natsai M’shangwe.
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