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MATABELELAND Tuskers Cricket Franchise start their 2014-15 season preparations on Monday with the former Logan Cup champions, hoping to sign defunct Southern Rocks trio of Richmund Mutumbami, Brian Vitori and Luke Jongwe.
The Bulawayo team is also chasing after national team player Craig Ervine.
Stanley Staddon, the Matabeleland Tuskers chief executive officer said they are retaining their last season’s squad and will be adding the trio as they prepare to challenge for the Logan Cup, Pro-50 One Day and Twenty20 glory.
“Training starts on Monday and our coach Wayne James will be with the boys, ably assisted by Pollock Mubhobho. We’re retaining almost all our players and we shall be starting contract negotiations soon,” said Staddon.
National team wicketkeeper Mutumbami travelled with the national team for a long tour of Bangladesh on Thursday.
He was Matabeleland Tuskers’ prime target last season, but reneged at the last minute.
All-rounder Jongwe looks certain to join the Bulawayo side after the Matabeleland Tuskers boss said they are waiting for Ervine and seamer Vitori to finalise their deals.
“Chances are high that Craig Ervin will be rejoining us after the national team tour of Bangladesh. We’re hoping to bargain on Southern Rocks’ disbandment in getting Vitori, Mutumbami and Jongwe. Actually, the only player that is yet to get back to us is Vitori,” he said.
Among the players that Matabeleland Tuskers will be retaining are John “Master of Spin” Nyumbu, top-order-batsman Brian Chari, captain Sean Williams, Thabo Mboyi, Tafi Ngulube and Mbekezeli Mabuza.
The 2014-15 season starts in December.
derick.khumalo