admin
Four primary schools — Baines, Milton, Tennyson and McKeurtan — battled it out in the competition with the winners getting a floating Musa Sibanda Mankunzini Memorial trophy.
In the final, Baines batted first and managed 70 runs for the loss of four wickets after 10 overs but the John Nyumbu-coached Milton Junior were stronger and managed 75 runs having lost six wickets.
On their way to the final, Milton beat McKeurtan by two runs on the last ball, thumped Tennyson by 36 runs and lost to Baines by 25 runs.
Baines were nine wicket winners over Tennyson and were given a good run for their money by McKeurtan who they beat by a single run.
In an interview yesterday, Mankunzini, the brains behind the competition, was hopeful that out of the tournament, stars have been born.
“This is part of my efforts to complement the development of the sport in the city and like they say, to have successful national teams, we have to have a strong foundation.
“I am very grateful to all the sponsors that helped in making the competition a success.
“We had quite a number of stars and the kids were inspired by their presence and it is my hope that from here, we are going to get future Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise players as well as national team stars,” Mankunzini said.
Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise captain Gavin Ewing, Charles “Chopper” Coventry, Nyumbu and guest of honour Keith Dabengwa graced the competition.
Dabengwa is a former Baines Primary School pupil.
Meanwhile, Tendai Takavengwa of Milton won the Player of the Tournament award and got a cricket bat, gloves and a trophy while the hosts’ Cycee van Heerden was voted the Most Dedicated Cricketer.
Online Reporter