adminThe Castle Logan Cup is the most coveted silverware in domestic cricket and the Bulawayo team have set their sights on retaining it.
Tuskers chief executive officer Stanley Staddon said they were not disturbed by their players’ joining the national team that will tour New Zealand later this month.
Pace bowler Njabulo Ncube and Keegan Meth are some of Tuskers’ influential players likely to be part of the New Zealand-bound national team.
Already Tuskers are without seamer Christopher Mpofu who has been ruled out for the better part of the season as he has a back injury.
“Everyone gets down to business after the festive holiday on Monday 9 January. That is when we will start our preparations towards defending our Castle Logan Cup and also compete for the One Day silverware.
“Everyone was disappointed after failing to reach the final of the Stanbic Bank Twenty20 competition especially after doing well in the first three games of the tournament. We had arguably one of the strongest sides, the guys played to the best of their capabilities but they failed to go all the way to the final.
“The Stanbic Bank Twenty20 tournament is now under the bridge and everyone has set their sights on the remaining games of the Castle Logan Cup and the One Day matches.
“However, we might be losing two or three of our regular players who will be on duty with the national team that leaves for New Zealand later this month. Chris Mpofu is out for some time recuperating from a back injury but I believe we have enough replacements as we have a big competitive squad,” said Staddon.
During the Stanbic Twenty20 Tuskers imported West Indies all-rounder Chris Gayle and Englishman Thomas Smith and the duo has since left the country.
Tuskers strengthened their side by signing Sean Ervine, brother to Tuskers and national team player Craig.
Sean, who is on off-season from County Cricket, joins pace bowler Glen Querl on the earn-as-you-play contract.
Other players expected to lead Tuskers in their quest for victory include spin bowler John Nyumbu who missed the Twenty20 competition, Querl and Charles Coventry.
Keith Dabengwa, Gavin Ewing, Steven Trenchard, Meth, Adam Wheater, Paul Horton and Craig are expected to lead Tuskers’ batting attack.
Online Reporter