Andrew
Don Makanyanga
CIRCUMSTANCES appeared to delay destiny, but once Tuskers had set a firm groundwork, their cricket success was never to be denied.
This was the case leading to Tuskers being crowned the 2021-22 Logan Cup champions.
After finishing their round of matches on top of the Logan Cup log with 53-points on February 15, they had to wait for closest rivals Mountaineers – who had a game in hand – to finish their assignments.
Mountaineers only needed a draw to snatch the championship from right under Tuskers’ noses.
But, as fate would have it, the Mutare-based franchise fell to a seven-wicket defeat by Southern Rocks.
Tuskers coach, Mbekezeli Mabuza, described their crowning moment as a nervy experience.
“I heaved a huge sigh of relief after the Mountaineers-Southern Rocks game finished.
“We had finished our games earlier and our rivals to the championship still had a game to play in which a draw would have seen us finishing second.
“It was a nervy experience for us,” said Mabuza.
He felt some kind of relief at the sight of Cephas Zhuwao in the Masvingo-based side franchise team sheet.
“We knew it wasn’t in our hands, but when I saw the team sheets and saw Cephas’ name, my confidence got boosted a little bit more.
“Cephas seemed in good form when they played against us and he is a destructive batter and having played at Harare Sports Club, which is predominantly a batting track, I hoped he would score at a fast rate thereby taking the time factor out of the game. Remember a draw would have still favoured Mountaineers,” Mabuza said.
Despite going through an anxious experience, Mabuza believes his charges deserved to be crowned champions.
“Being crowned champions, I feel it’s a trophy we truly deserved to win because of the way we played throughout the season.
“It was a brand of cricket that had been in the making for the past three or so seasons.
“A lot of effort was put in by everyone involved with the franchise.
“It was a team effort, coaches who worked behind the scenes, the ground-staff who were always on call whenever the team needed the grounds, the players and the board who were backing the team,” he said.
Having endured a week-long wait before being crowned champions, Mabuza revealed that the team celebrations also had to be delayed until March 14 when the team starts preparations for the upcoming T20 tournament.
“Most people were with their families as we hadn’t been home in quite a long time so I’m sure the guys celebrated with their loved ones, but we will be meeting for a belated team celebration on March 14 when we start our preparations for the T20 tournament.”
He added that the Logan Cup win will work as a confidence booster as his charges seek to defend the T20 title.
“The feeling of winning normally stays on for a bit longer and hopefully getting another trophy is motivation enough,” Mabuza said.
Online Reporter