adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket have announced that the Stanbic Twenty20 Series which used to attract renowned cricketers will not be there when the domestic season takes off next month. In an interview from Harare yesterday, the ZC media and communications manager Lovemore Banda said the domestic cricket season would start in mid-November and announced that the only event that would be missing from the calendar is the Stanbic T20 series.
He said ZC has severed ties with Dominus Sports Company which has in the past co-ordinated the competition.
“The domestic cricket season starts in mid-November and right now we are working on finalising the fixtures.
“We are going to have three formats of the game that is the Twenty20, One Dayers and the longer version that is the Logan Cup.
“The only competition that will not be there is the Stanbic T20 series as ZC is no longer involved with the sports company that used to run the event,” Banda said.
In 2011, Matabeleland Tuskers had internationally celebrated all-rounder Chris Gayle as their guest player in the Stanbic T20 Series that was held in Harare.
The other four franchises that is the Mashonaland Eagles, MidWest Rhinos, Mountaineers and Southern Rocks also had international stars turning out for them during the competition.
There have been concerns in the cricket game about the delay in starting of the 2013-2014 season.
Traditionally, the domestic season starts in the months of August and September running for eight months, but due to recent international tours and financial challenges that ZC is facing the season now has to start in November.
Despite the delay, Banda is adamant that the quality of the game will not be compromised as players have been training at their bases while others have been with the national team.
However, the Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise coach Wayne James has said they need to know the exact dates of the start of the season.
The former national team fringe player said it was difficult for him to tie down players because they are waiting for ZC to allocate them their budget.
“We are just training because we do not want to be caught unaware.
“I have not engaged any players and I am just working with the guys that were here last season because as a manager I cannot negotiate with players while I don’t know what I will give them.
“I believe the situation is the same with all other franchises,” said James.
Online Reporter