adminBoth teams are in the running for the most coveted silverware in domestic cricket.
Matabeleland Tuskers are top of the log with 28 points from five outings having won four matches and were held to a draw by Mashonaland Eagles in Harare last week.
The Bulawayo club will be hoping to return to their winning ways but they have to do it without three of their key players Christopher Mpofu, Keegan Meth and Graig Ervine who joined the national team camp yesterday.
Gavin Ewing, the Matabeleland Tuskers skipper said they are ready for the Midlands Province side.
“Every game is difficult but we always step out there to play and win. We are going to miss Craig (Ervine) for his batting while Bobby (Mpofu) and Keegan Meth have also been good leading the bowling attack.
“MidWest Rhinos will also be missing some of their key players like Vusi (Sibanda), Brendan Taylor and Malcolm Waller who are with the national team. Basically I think it is going to be an interesting game of cricket and I am confident that the guys will do well as we want to defend our Logan Cup,” said Ewing.
MidWest Rhinos are second on the log with 21 points, seven behind Matabeleland Tuskers and they will be hard-pressed for a win if ever they entertain hopes of snatching the title from the Bulawayo outfit.
The Midlanders have played a game more than Matabeleland Tuskers.
In the first leg played in Kwekwe last year, Matabeleland Tuskers beat MidWest Rhinos by three wickets.
Ewing is confident that the players who will be selected for the four-day game will deliver.
In the absence of Mpofu, Meth and Ervine, some of the players likely to get some game time include rookies like Tony Mupariwa, Goodwil Mamhiyo, Ctephen Chimamiwa and Bradley Staddon.
Due to competition for first team places, Staddon is one of the players who were regulars last season who has been sitting it out and will be hoping to grab an opportunity to fill in for those away on national duty.
“Obviously in such times whoever comes in for those absent will like to make their presence felt and I believe the youngsters in our squad are capable of filling the gaps.
“What we need to do is bowl well, be good when batting and field well. If we manage to keep all three disciplines simple and avoid mistakes, we are going to win,” said Ewing.
Ewing, Terrence Duffin, Sean Williams, Briton signing Bilal Shafayat and Keith Dabengwa are expected to lead the home team’s batting attack.
Matabeleland Tuskers’ strength has been in bowling and they will pin their hopes on seamers Glen Querl and Njabulo Ncube, John Nyumbu, Ewing, and Dabengwa.
Fixtures
Today: Matabeleland Tuskers v MidWest Rhinos (Queens Sports Club), Manicaland Mountaineers v Southern Rocks (Mutare)
Log
P W L D Tied Aban Pts
Mat Tuskers 5 4 0 1 0 0 28
MidWest Rhinos 6 3 3 0 0 0 21
Mountaineers 5 3 2 0 0 0 21
Southern Rocks 4 2 2 0 0 0 14
Mash Eagles 6 0 5 1 0 0 1
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