Tuskers to field strong side against Midwest Rhinos

Tuskers play MidWest Rhinos in their last Four-Day match of the 2011/12 season that starts today and ends on Thursday at Kwekwe Sports Club.
The Bulawayo club successfully defended the most coveted cricket silverware last week when they beat Harare’s Mashonaland Eagles by an innings and 30 runs.
Tuskers coach Dave Houghton made only one change to the team that made history in ensuring that the club became the first in the new franchise system to successfully defend the Castle Logan Cup. Rookie Tony Mupariwa gets his first class cricket debut today as he replaces wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Ngulube.
Houghton said they wanted to underline their dominance in the Castle Logan Cup and wrap up the season without losing a match.
Tuskers have won five out of their seven encounters with the other two matches being draws at home due to rains.
“Winning the first Castle Logan Cup was good and I must say we worked hard to defend the title. Having secured first class victory with a match to spare, we will go with the same attitude for the MidWest Rhinos game as we are taking along a full-strength team.
“Young Tony Mupariwa will be our glove man in Kwekwe for the first time as wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Ngulube will be resting,” Houghton said.
The former Zimbabwe international who was ecstatic with his bowling attack, giving them credit for a magnificent season that led to winning the Castle Logan Cup will be hoping that his boys maintain their momentum.
All-rounder Keith Dabengwa, seamers Njabulo “Papa” Ncube, Bradley Staddon, Glen Querl and Richard Jones will lead Tuskers’ bowling attack.
Ncube’s performance saw him getting a national team call up last year.
The pace bowlers’ performance will mean that injured Christopher Mpofu will have to work hard to reclaim his starting place next season.
Skipper Gavin Ewing is subject to passing a late fitness test while the Ervine brothers Sean and Craig, Briton Paul Horton and top-order batsman Charles Coventry being other regular players in the Tuskers team for Kwekwe.
Rhinos on the other hand will bank on Ed Rainsford, Vusi Sibanda and Gary Balance to lead them.
Tuskers Castle Logan Cup squad
Gavin Ewing, Sean Ervine, Craig Ervine, Stephen Trenchard, Keith Dabengwa,, Tony Mupariwa, Glen Querl, Njabulo Ncube, Terrence Duffin, Richard Jones, Charles Coventry, Paul Horton.