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Sports Reporter
MID WEST Rhinos chief executive Kenyon Ziehl says investing in youth is the way to go as the Kwekwe-based side look to introduce new blood in the cricket season set to begin next week. Rhinos will not be turning to their overseas professionals in the coming year, besides the prospects of luring Riki Wessels back for a brief spell.
Ziehl yesterday told The Herald that the Midlands side set their sights on their development structures with 18-year olds Carl Mumba and Mkhululi Nyathi set to be promoted.
Rhinos are also looking at bringing on board promising batsman Kudakwashe Munyede from Mashonaland Eagles while 21-year old wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo, who made few appearances last season, is likely to play a bigger role.
“It’s nice to see the youngsters coming through because they need this exposure. They have played for the Zimbabwe Under-19 team and they need to be exposed to first class cricket in order for them to develop quickly.
“Look at the other guys like Richard Muzhange and Neville Madziva who came through the structures. These guys are doing okay and we hope to see more of that.
“We also have some youngsters coming from the local community and we aim to give them the platform to play. Rhinos has a thrust for development as well,” said Ziehl.
The Kwekwe-based outfit have also roped in batsman Mark Mbofana from Eagles as they try to strengthen their squad after retaining most of their players from last season.
Captain Brendan Taylor and top order batsman Vusi Sibanda are expected to steer the ship again this year with their experience.
Grant Flower will continue as the head coach as the side battles for a silverware to show for their efforts as they have come close in the past only to fall at the last hurdle.
Rhinos lost all-rounder Graeme Cremer, who has hinted on retirement, while fast bowlers Edward Rainsford and Richard Muzhange might not be available on full-time basis.
They will start their season with an away fixture against Mashonaland Eagles at Harare Sports Club on December 7 in the Pro50 competition, with the Logan Cup match against the same opponents expected two days later.
“We are really excited by the starting of the new season. We haven’t really engaged overseas professionals. We are going to try and keep the local players.
“The team has been in serious preparations for about three weeks now. We lost one or two players but we managed to replace them and now we have got all our players contracted.
“There is likely to be no foreign players but we are hoping to engage Riki Wessels for a couple of Pro50 and Logan Cup matches before he goes to play in the UK.
“We are not sure about the dates he might be available but it’s most probably end of January or early February.
“We are targeting some silverware in the cabinet and hopefully we will achieve that. It’s disappointing that we always play well and on most occasions come close to the title but at the end miss it,” said Ziehl.
Online Reporter