adminTuskers are the defending Logan Cup champions and on Saturday they lost to Mashonaland Eagles by six runs through the Duckworth and Lewis method in their first ever limited overs final since the introduction of franchise cricket.
This was after the rain affected play.
In an interview yesterday, Tuskers’ captain Gavin Ewing said they were disappointed that they lost in the final.
“Everyone is very disappointed with the loss especially after putting so much hard work to get to the final. Collapsing like that in front of our supporters was very disappointing.
“There are a number of things that contributed to our loss. First, we should have restricted Eagles to a score of 180 and the rains did not make it easy for us either. It was difficult batting under those conditions because of light. Basically I feel we gave away the game. At the end of the day, Eagles never gave up and I think they did well to win the game,” said Ewing.
Eagles had lost the toss and were bowled out for 222 runs with former national team captain Prosper Utseya being their highest scorer with 53 runs.
It was a score that Tuskers who needed 223 runs to win seemed to have been on course to attain when their opening partnership of Ewing and Chari were 120 runs midway through the innings.
Chari, Tuskers’ second highest scorer went out on 47 runs while Ewing was dismissed for 94 runs.
The Tuskers skipper praised his charges and said their focus is on retaining the Castle Logan Cup and winning the Twenty20 tournament set for March.
“We have to put this loss (Pro-50 One-Day Cup) behind and focus on the future. I am proud of the guys for reaching the final. On Monday we travel to Masvingo for our Logan Cup game against Southern Rocks and we just want to continue doing well in that format and defend our title.
“There is also a Twenty20 competition coming in March and we will fight for the two trophies. The experience we got playing in the Pro-50 final I believe will propel us to doing well in the March Twenty20 tournament,” said Ewing.
Tuskers are at the top of the Castle Logan Cup log with four points from their first half of the season victories.
Tuskers beat MidWest Rhinos by three wickets, comfortably cruised to a 312 runs victory over Eagles and beat Manicaland Mountaineers by five wickets.
In the first leg against Southern Rocks that was played at Queens Sports Club, Tuskers beat the visitors by 10 wickets.
Online Reporter