adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Tuskers will use fringe players for their one-day opening match of the 2015-16 season against Mountaineers in Mutare.
The Bulawayo side will be without eight key players, who include all-rounders Godwill Mamhiyo, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami, spin bowler John Nyumbu, top order batsman Brian Chari and seamers Christopher Mpofu and Brian Vitori, who are with the national teams.
Ervine, Jongwe, Mutumbami and Nyumbu are part of the squad that will tour Bangladesh from today up to November 16 for three one-day internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 matches.
Tuskers captain Mamhiyo, Chari, Mpofu and Vitori are part of the Zimbabwe A side that are engaged in a home series against Bangladesh A at Harare Sports Club today.
Zimbabwe A is coached by Tuskers coach Wayne James and will play three unofficial ODIs and two unofficial Tests.
Stanley Staddon, the Tuskers administrator, said his players have been training under assistant coach Pollock Mubhobho and are ready for Mountaineers.
“This is the time for fringe players to shine and show the coaches that they deserve to play regularly in the absence of national team guys. We’ll be without our key players for the opening two matches against Mountaineers and MidWest Rhinos. I think the hunger to play will be enough to motivate the players as we try to effectively challenge for all silverware on offer,” said Staddon.
Tuskers are the defending Logan Cup champions and seem to be keen on winning the limited overs’ trophy having lost to Mashonaland Eagles in last season’s one-day final.
In the absence of national team players, Tuskers will bank on former national team all-rounder Keith Dabengwa, seamer Tawanda Mupariwa, opening batsman Nkosana Mpofu, all-rounder Steve Chimhamhiwa and Tafara Mupariwa.
They also have right-handed batsman Cunningham Ncube and medium pacer Thabo Mboyi to pin their hopes on against Mountaineers.
Online Reporter