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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers Cricket Franchise’s 131-run defeat away to Mountaineers on Wednesday was a wake up call that they need to pull up their socks if they are to make it for the Pro50 One Day final. The Bulawayo cricket team’s defeat saw their five-point lead on the Pro50 One Day standings reduced to a point by Mashonaland Eagles.
Eagles took their points’ tally to 17 after six matches following their 43-run victory over MidWest Rhinos on Wednesday.
Wayne James, Matabeleland Tuskers coach whose club is seeking their first silverware in the limited overs, conceded defeat to Mountaineers and said they have to work on their shortcomings when they play host to MidWest Rhinos on Sunday.
“We didn’t play well at all in Mutare and I believe that this defeat was a good wake up call for us, reminding us to do things differently. Our fielding was poor as we had many dropped catches which simply gave our opponents about 40 to 45 runs,” said James.
“Our batting was also not impressive as our top order failed to deliver with young Nkosana Mpofu being the only one getting 32 runs. We just have to improve on that in the next coming few days because Midwest Rhinos despite being at the bottom of the table, won’t give us the points on a silver platter meaning we’ve to fight for them.”
So pathetic was Matabeleland Tuskers’ batting that their highest score was 35 runs from skipper Godwill Mamhiyo with Mpofu’s 32 being second best while Brian Vittori got 25.
Opening batsman Brian Chari only managed seven runs with Keith Dabengwa getting a duck, Sean Williams (10 runs) and Craig Ervine just a run. Dabengwa, Williams and Ervine were expected to lead the way for Matabeleland Tuskers’ chase of 255 runs set by Mountaineers.
No doubt, Matabeleland Tuskers have a strong bowling attack made up of seamers Vittori, Tawanda Mupariwa and Christopher Mpofu, spinmaster John Nyumbu, Dabengwa and Williams and will have to improve on their batting and fielding on Sunday.
However, the Bulawayo club will have to do without the services of Mupariwa, Williams and Ervine who are expected to join the national team camp in Harare this morning ahead of next month’s ICC World Cup.
Fixtures
Sunday: Mashonaland Eagles v Mountaineers (Harare Sports Club), Matabeleland Tuskers v MidWest Rhinos (Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo)
Points Table
P W L Tied N/R Pts Net RR
Mat Tuskers 6 4 2 0 0 18 +0.270
Mash Eagles 6 4 2 0 0 17 +0.247
Mountaineers 6 3 3 0 0 14 +0.454
MidWest Rhinos 6 1 5 0 0 4 -0.913
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