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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORMER national cricket team batsman, Stuart Matsikenyeri, who is the new Mountaineers coach, believes the Mutare franchise has what it takes to retain the Pro50 title and go on to clinch another accolade.
Mountaineers begin their 2023-2024 Pro50 campaign with a date against Rhinos at Mutare Sports Club today (Friday), the same day that Eagles will be taking on Rocks in Harare.
Tuskers will be on a bye.
Mountaineers successfully defended the Pro50 Championship after edging Midwest Rhinos by one run in a nail-biting final that went down to the very last delivery at Kwekwe Sports Club, but failed to last the distance and extend their dominance in the Logan Cup which they last won under the late former coach, Shepherd Makunura at the end of the 2018-19 season.
However, under the tutelage of new coach, Matsikenyeri, hopes are high that the good old days are back for the Manicaland and Mashonaland East cricket franchise.
Matsikenyeri said: “This squad won the Pro50 Championship last season, so it is a good outfit. Obviously, we want to retain that trophy and add at least one more, if not both trophies. It is not an easy feat to achieve, but if we can play to our potential, I am sure we can be up to the challenge.”
Apparently, Matsikenyeri’s new role at Mountaineers evokes memories of the early days of his playing career when he was just a schoolboy at Churchill High School in Harare, but turning out for Mountaineers in a talent-laden line-up that also featured the likes of Guy Whitall, Mark Burmester, Richie Simms and Gary Brent.
He said: “I am happy to be back home at Mountaineers. This is the province I started my first class career as a schoolboy. I have so many good memories. This is an opportunity for me to create more good memories, so I look forward to it.”
Back then, Matsikenyeri played for Manicaland under Mark Burmester’s captaincy, before the name changed at some stage to Easterns and later to Mountaineers.
Matsikenyeri is optimistic that the inclusion of three overseas professionals will raise the standard of domestic competitions.
“The outlook of all the provinces will be slightly different as we all get to use three overseas professionals. Hopefully, it will raise the standard of our competitions, therefore improving our players too.
We are all excited to get going and play some good cricket, and hopefully entertain all Mountaineers fans in Manicaland and all over Zimbabwe,” said Matsikenyeri.
An old hand in the game, Matsikenyeri brings a wealth of experience to Mountaineers, gained over the years from his playing days up to coaching where he was once the national senior team batting coach, leading the coaching department of the Zimbabwe A side which also included Eric Chauluka as his assistant, while Njabulo Ncube is the bowling coach.
Online Reporter