adminBulawayo cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as both sides are looking to starting their campaign on a high with Tuskers hoping to clean all the available silverware.
Tuskers captain, Gavin Ewing, who has led his side to two consecutive Castle Logan Cup trophies, said they were ready to add other accolades to their trophy cabinet.
“The guys have had a fantastic pre-season and we are going to try and win everything that is on offer.
“In the past two seasons we have played better in the Four-Day game (Castle Logan Cup) and I believe that this is the year where we have to show that we are a powerful team as we have a good squad capable of doing great things.
“We just have to apply the same attitude we do in the Logan Cup to One-Day and Twenty20 matches. It is doing small things right that will make us win,” said Ewing.
When Chronicle Sport arrived at Tuskers’ training session yesterday, the players were in the nets with seamer Njabulo Ncube bowling to national team’s Christopher Mpofu.
John Nyumbu was also batting at the other net while Tuskers’ technical advisor Kevin Curran and Ewing were having a look at the centre wickets.
“The wickets look great and we are looking forward to good cricket on Saturday. The weather looks fine and cricket lovers must come in their numbers to witness the beautiful game.
“We know that being Castle Logan Cup holders everyone will want to beat us and we like that because it means that our opponents won’t defend a lot leaving us to play our game and win.
“To our supporters, they have been marvellous sticking by us and they love it when we win and just want to continue winning,” Ewing said.
Tuskers managed to retain a bulk of their players who were instrumental in them winning back-to-back Logan Cup titles but lost former national team seamer Tawanda Mupariwa who has since joined Southern Rocks and Stephen Trenchard who signed for MidWest Rhinos.
The Bulawayo side did not renew contracts for Britons Paul Horton and Adam Wheater.
Ewing, Ncube, hard-hitting Charles Coventry, fringe national team player Keegan Meth, spin bowler Nyumbu, Glenn Querl, Bradley Staddon, Brian Chari, Godwill Mhamhiyo and Terrence Duffin are expected to lead Tuskers.
They also have Mpofu, the only local who has a Zimbabwe Cricket contract, Thabo Mboyi, Sean Williams, Sean Ervine and Mluleki Nkala to bank on this season.
Online Reporter