adminSenior Sports Reporter
MIDLANDS Province’s MidWest Rhinos Cricket Franchise will have to do without national team duo of Malcolm Waller and Vusi Sibanda when they take on Mashonaland Eagles today in Kwekwe.They are also without head coach Grant Flower who is the national team’s batting coach and is with his two players in Bangladesh for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
The ambitious franchise which has made its intentions of challenging for the most coveted Logan Cup known, had been banking on the duo to play a significant role in their campaign following the departure of Brendan Taylor to the IPL in February.
MidWest Rhinos’ chief executive officer Kenyon Zeihl said they are ready to topple second-placed Mashonaland Eagles.
Mashonaland Eagles go into the match smarting from a 52-runs defeat against defending champions Matabeleland Tuskers who are third on the log and are at home to Southern Rocks who they played to a draw in the first leg.
All-rounders Mark Mbofana and Kudakwashe Manyende who were signed by MidWest Rhinos from Mashonaland Eagles at the start of the season are likely to face their former paymasters.
“Our preparations are well on course and everyone has faith in youngsters that we have introduced to franchise cricket. We have done well; so far so good and if we win this match, we will be in the top three and enhance our chances of challenging for the title. The boys are not under any pressure and what we just have to do is to play good cricket,” said Zeihl.
MidWest Rhinos also have Edward Ransford in their camp whose experience will be key against Mashonaland Eagles.
Peter Moor scored 57 runs when they lost to log leaders Manicaland Mountaineers last week and is expected to carry on from where he left.
Moor, Stephen Trenchard, Bothwell Chapungu and Ronnie Chakunyunga will lead their batting attack with Mbofana, Richard Muzhange and Kudakwashe Munyende leading their bowling attack.
Nathan Waller is expected to lead Mashonaland Eagles’ bowling attack which has Taurai Muzarabani, Tafadzwa Muzarawetu and Chamunorwa Chibhabha.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Matabeleland Tuskers will announce their squad for the game this morning.
“We are yet to decide on the team and we will announce it when we get to the ground. What we want is to maintain our performance and make sure that we take control of the game from the onset,” said Wayne James, Matabeleland Tuskers coach.
The Bulawayo-based team is likely to maintain the team that beat Mashonaland Eagles with Bonaparte Mujuru and Nkosana Mpofu batting first followed by Brian Chari, Keith Dabengwa and Goodwill Mamhiyo.
Richmond Mutumbami leads a Southern Rocks side missing Tinashe Panyangarara and Tafadzwa Kamungozi. Some of the players to look out for are Bernard Mlambo, Innocent Kaia, Luke Jongwe and Trevor Garwe.
Online Reporter