adminSenior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers Cricket Franchise coach Wayne James believes his side is perfectly positioned to restore glamour after taking a two-point lead in Logan Cup standings after just two matches. The Bulawayo-based cricket outfit that last won the prestigious Logan Cup in the 2012-13 season have made their intentions clear accumulating 10 points in their matches — a draw and Thursday’s bonus point win against MidWest Rhinos who they beat by an innings and 95 runs.
“We’ve had a fantastic start to the season and what we have to do now is to maintain this momentum as we are hopeful of ending the season still at the top. Obviously it feels awesome when you get such results without some of your key players who are on national duty,” James said.
What further pleases James is the fact that they have managed a bright start even though they are yet to hit their preferred gear. “I don’t believe we’ve played our best cricket so far but to get such results when you are not on top form speaks volumes about the enormous amount of work that we have put in the last season when we were rebuilding.”
Youngsters that Matabeleland Tuskers are keeping their eyes on include Brian Chari who was on tour to Bangladesh with the national team, Nkosana Mpofu, Goodwill Mamhiyo and Bonaparte Mujuru.
They have also roped in the services of Brian Vitori, Luke Jongwe and former national Under-19 wicketkeeper Sean Handirisi to bolster their side in an effort to win everything on offer. “We have won the most coveted Logan Cup but never have we claimed shorter versions like the Twenty20 or the One Day tournaments. I believe that at this rate we are really developing all-round cricketers capable of playing both the longer and shorter versions of the game. With this squad, it is very much possible to challenge for everything on offer this season,” said James.
Matabeleland Tuskers’ next game will be at home to Mashonaland Eagles in a top of the table clash next Saturday.
Matabeleland Tuskers’ national team players John Nyumbu and Craig Ervine are expected to feature for the Bulawayo club when it faces their Northern Region counterparts.
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