adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket have finally confirmed the domestic season which is set to get underway on December 7 with the Pro50 competition.
There were fears that the domestic games would not get underway this year but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel after ZC announced yesterday that all three formats will take place from December 7 to April 17 2014.
The games have been hanging in the balance owing to the financial difficulties that the association has been facing but funds have been secured to get the season underway.
ZC Media and Communications Manager, Lovemore Banda, said the association was happy with the positive development as the games will help the national team players prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 set to get underway in Bangladesh in March next year.
“As you know ZC has been facing some challenges. We have been running around but the companies that we usually partner have also been struggling to make ends meet.
“I am happy though that we have managed to put everything together and the games can now start.
“I am also glad to say as ZC we will be faithful to our three formats of the game and we look forward to an exciting season.
“It’s important that we have these games running because it helps us prepare for our international assignments,” said Banda.
But the games, which now start three months late, will get underway with no sponsorship for all the three versions.
Pro50 champions Mashonaland Eagles will get the ball rolling in the first match at Harare Sports Club against Mid West Rhinos on Saturday, December 7 while Matabeleland Tuskers and Southern Rocks will also be involved on the same day at Masvingo Sports Club.
Eagles, who had earned a berth in the final after finishing second to Matabeleland Tuskers last season, turned the tables to win the championship by five runs via the Duckworth Lewis method in a match that was repeatedly interrupted by rain in Bulawayo.
First class cricket champions Matabeleland Tuskers will begin the defence of their Logan Cup title against Southern Rocks on December 9-12 away at Masvingo Sports Club. Tuskers have been the most consistent side in the long version.
Mashonaland Eagles, who were winless in all eight first class cricket matches in the previous season, will host Mid West Rhinos at Harare Sports Club in their opening Logan Cup match.
The programme will then take a break for the festive holiday on December 20 and then resume on January 18, 2014 with Pro50 matches.
The T20 competition is set to be played over a period of six days continuous at Harare Sports Club starting from February 4, 2014.
Organisers have slotted two games on each day and cricket fans are set to be treated to a week of non-stop T20 cricket action.
Mountaineers are the holders and will be hoping to continue with their good form in this version, which has proved to be the most popular with the fans.
Unfortunately the T20 game will not have a title sponsor again this year following the withdrawal of Stanbic Bank two seasons ago.
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