Mat’land Tuskers bring out big guns

players some game time for the One Day match played on Saturday.
Tuskers cruised to an eight-wicket win over Southern Rocks which was their second victory in the Coca-Cola sponsored competition.
Some of the players that were rested for the One Day match who will play in the Castle Logan Cup are seamer Njabulo “Papa” Ncube, Terrence Duffin, Paul Horton and 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 are some of the regulars that were in Tuskers’ One Day team.
Tuskers captain Gavin Ewing said they have set their sights on defending the Castle Logan Cup and were ready to crush Southern Rocks.
“The guys are all geared up for the game. Defending the Castle Logan Cup won’t be easy but we have a fantastic team that wants to stay at the top until the season ends.
“We are focusing on winning the Castle Logan Cup because that is the biggest trophy on the land which everyone wants to win,” said Ewing.
Tuskers are the defending champions and trail Mashonaland Eagles who have 27 points by six.
The Bulawayo club have a game in hand and will be hoping to get the better of winless Southern Rocks as well as keep breathing down Eagles’ neck.
Eagles are at home to third-placed MidWest Rhinos.
For today’s match in Bulawayo, Southern Rocks are without pace bowler Brian Vitori who is on duty with the national team in New Zealand.
They will bank on their skipper Chamu Chibhabha, top order batsman Prince Masvaure, Richmond Mutumbani, Roy Kaia and har-hitting Mark Vermeulen as they seek their first Castle Logan Cup victory.
With Tuskers having a strong line-up, it will be difficult for the Masvingo-based team to beat the defending champions who will be playing in front of their home supporters.
Keegan Meth is the only Tuskers player on national duty.
Tuskers will pray that MidWest Rhinos do them a favour by defeating Eagles in a match that starts today.
Eagles will be fielding a depleted side as they are without Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu, Regis Chakabva, Forster Mutizwa and Kyle Jarvis who are on tour with the national team.
Rhinos on the other hand will bank on Ed Rainsford and Gary Balance to lead them.
Manicaland Mountaineers have a bye.
Tuskers Team
Gavin Ewing, Sean Ervine, Craig Ervine, Stephen Trenchard, Keith Dabengwa,, Tafadzwa Ngulube, Glen Querl, Njabulo Ncube, Terrence Duffin, Richard Jones, Charles Coventry, Paul Horton.
Fixtures
Today: Castle Logan Cup: Matabeleland Tuskers v Southern Rocks (Queens Sports Club), Mashonaland Eagles v MidWest Rhinos (Harare Sports Club).