Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
MASHONALAND Eagles Cricket Franchise is likely to feel the pinch as the domestic Pro50 One Day competition continues after losing six players to the national team that is preparing for next month’s ICC World Cup. Matabeleland Tuskers, Mountaineers and MidWest Rhinos each had three players going for national duty leaving Mashonaland Eagles depleted after contributing half a dozen stars to the 15-member national team.

Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Tawanda Mupariwa are the Matabeleland Tuskers trio in the national team with hard hitter Hamilton Masakadza leading Mountaineers’ contingent that has Tendai Chatara and Stewart Matsikenyeri while MidWest Rhinos’ players doing national duty are Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Tinashe Panyangarara and Solomon Mire.

Mashonaland Eagles’ players in national team are Elton Chigumbura, Chamu Chibhabha, Regis Chakabva, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor and Prosper Utseya.

The Harare based franchise is second on the One Day standings with 17 points after six matches, just one behind Matabeleland Tuskers and their quest for a place in the final without their stars begin today when they play host to fired up Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.

In Bulawayo, Matabeleland Tuskers will play host to anchors MidWest Rhinos hoping to return to winning ways after losing by 131 runs away to Mountaineers in a midweek encounter.

Wayne James, Matabeleland Tuskers’ coach expects fringe players to rise to the occasion.

“With national team players all out this is an opportunity for those that have not been regulars to come in and show their worth. Obviously they would want to show the coaches that they deserve to be in the squads and it’s going to be interesting even without the senior guys,” said James.

Matabeleland Tuskers boast of a strong bowling attack which has Brian Vittori, Christopher Mpofu, spin-master John Nyumbu, Keith Dabengwa and captain Godwill Mamhiyo.

Vusi Sibanda and Malcolm Waller will carry MidWest Rhinos’ hopes.

Zimbabwe’s ICC World Cup squad

Regis Chakabva (wicketkeeper), Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Mashonaland Eagles v Mountaineers (Harare Sports Club), Matabeleland Tuskers v MidWest Rhinos (Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo)

Points Table

P W L Tied N/R Pts Net RR

Mat Tuskers 6 4 2 0 0 18 +0.270

Mash Eagles 6 4 2 0 0 17 +0.247

Mountaineers 6 3 3 0 0 14 +0.454

MidWest Rhinos 6 1 5 0 0 4 -0.913

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