adminNgoni Dapira Weekender Correspondent
MUTARE’S cricket franchise Mountaineers are off to a slow start after losing their Pro50 Championship season opener to Matabeleland Tuskers at Queen’s Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.
The Mountain Goats, as they are affectionately known, are the targeted team to beat in the 2014-2015 domestic cricket season following their historic double cup victory last season when they clinched the Pro50 Championship and Logan Cup.
The reigning champions were nonetheless given a rude awakening by the Bulawayo-based franchise who secured a 70-run victory on Sunday.
Despite the fact that Mountaineers did not have most of their key players who are currently on national duty in Bangladesh, the poor start will not reflect well on former Rocks coach Shepherd Makunura, who takes over as Mountaineers coach this season after Gary Brent.
Taking into consideration that there will be the ICC Cricket World Cup next year in February in Australia and New Zealand, Makunura has to be well prepared to soldier on without his key players like Tendai Chatara, Timycen Maruma, Natsai M’shangwe and the Masakadza brothers Hamilton and Shingi, to mention a few, who often get the national duty call-up.
This will put to test Makunura’s new signings Victor Nyauchi, Charles Kunje and brothers Roy and Innocent Kaia, as well as other green-horned young Mountaineers players signed up and groomed by Brent last season.
Even though the Mountain Goats never got close to the winning target, reaching 191 for eight in their allotted overs, Mountaineers captain Tino Mawoyo said he was still optimistic that they would build on their slow start and improve as the season progresses.
“It was a disappointing start, but I believe we will get ourselves to speed and improve on our game.
“We have new players that are still starting franchise cricket like Herbert Chikomba, so I am sure better days are coming as we build on combinations and team work,” said Mawoyo.
Makunura was not available for comment by the time of going to press.
Mountaineers fan club secretary Harris Shoni said last year the Mountain Goats made a dramatic comeback after a slow start, so they were not worried about the poor start.
“Our Pro50 comeback was a dramatic turn of events last season after starting on a very slow note losing all the matches in the first round.
“So we are not discouraged by the defeat as Mountaineers fans,” said Shoni.
The 2014 / 2015 domestic season has four teams following the disbanding of the Masvingo-based franchise, Southern Rocks, by Zimbabwe Cricket end of last season.
ZC cited financial constraints in running a five-legged domestic season.
The four remaining franchises are Mountaineers, Tuskers, Harare’s Mashonaland Eagles and Kwekwe-based Mid-West Rhinos.
On the other hand, Eagles will also be hoping to maintain their fine start after romping to an easy five-wicket win over Rhinos at Old Hararians Sports Club in the Pro50 Championship on Sunday.
As usual in the 2014 / 2015 domestic season, the Pro50 Championship will run concurrently with the Logan Cup.
Players will only get a day’s rest after playing the Pro50 Championship and continue with the four-day Logan Cup.
Online Reporter