adminMehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers coach Wayne James has lauded his players for being the Logan Cup first class cricket competition winners for the 2014-15 season. Tuskers, led by 22-year-old Godwill Mamhiyo were confirmed as this season’s four-day cricket champions when they floored Mountaineers by six wickets at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on the final day last Friday. The result saw the Bulawayo based franchise take their points tally to 38, 10 more than second placed Mashonaland Eagles whom they play at home in the last match of the season starting on Thursday.
With only a maximum of seven points up for winners of a Logan Cup fixture, six for the victory and one bonus point for a first innings lead, Tuskers cannot be overtaken by Eagles even if the Harare-based franchise win the match in Bulawayo.
James feels the hard work put in by his players in the build up to the season has paid off as most of the players played a part in the team’s success.
“The preparations we put in at the beginning of the season have really helped a lot. We have had several setbacks along the way, I am really proud of the boys. Everyone has put their hand up at some stage this season,’’ said James.
It has been a remarkable achievement for a team who finished second from bottom last season with only two wins, five losses and one draw. James said the addition of Brian Vitori, Richmond Mutumbami and Luke Jongwe has added depth to Tuskers. He described the three as quality cricketers who have added excitement to the Tuskers line-up.
James believes his players have developed more self belief, which has carried them through this season, than they showed last season.
Tuskers have a chance to win a second trophy as they are in the final of the Pro50 Championship, a match likely to be played in Bulawayo if they beat Eagles in the last match next week.
With the Logan Cup now won, James is most likely to rest some of his players in the last match against Eagles. The likes of Tafara Mupariwa, Thabo Mboyi and Kevin Kandala could be thrown into the fray.
Meanwhile, Tuskers bowler Vitori has been cleared to bowl after undergoing tests to his bowling action at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa last month.
The 25-year-old left arm seamer’s bowling action came under scrutiny when he was called by two local umpires which saw him being sent to the International Cricket Council approved testing centre in South Africa.
Tuskers coach James said now that the bowler has been cleared, the issue of his bowling action has been put to rest.
“Brian Vitori has been cleared after being tested in South Africa. None of his deliveries were found to exceed the limit so the issue of his bowling action has been put to bed,’’ James said.
Vitori made a sensational entry into international cricket in 2011 against Bangladesh with back to back five wicket hauls against the Tigers. Concerns have however since then been raised over his bowling action with suspicion that he could be bowling outside the allowed limits for bowlers.
The ICC has of late come down hard on players suspected of having illegal actions with a number of bowlers being banned from bowling. Zimbabwe’s star slow bowler for years Prosper Utseya was last year forced to change his bowling action after being found to exceed the allowed limit.
Another Zimbabwean spinner Malcolm Waller is currently banned from bowling in international cricket as tests conducted in South Africa proved that his action was not within the permitted degree.
Online Reporter