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Stanley Staddon

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
LOGAN Cup champions Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise will play Botswana’s national cricket team in a friendly match next month to mark the end of their 2015 season.

The Bulawayo based cricket franchise will be keeping most of its first team players in action by making it compulsory to play in the local club league.

Stanley Staddon, the Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise chief executive officer said Botswana had approached them for a friendly match in March but turned it down as they were participating in Pro-50 One Day competition.

Matabeleland Tuskers, despite finishing at the top of the Pro-50 One Day table, failed to lift their first limited overs silverware on Saturday losing to Mashonaland Eagles by four wickets.

It is Saturday’s public turnout that has revived Matabeleland Tuskers’ interest in playing Botswana — a member of the ICC Associate League — in April.

“Obviously we’re disappointed by failure to lift the Pro-50 One Day Cup but I’m happy with how my players and coaches performed throughout the season. The Bulawayo community supported the boys and even came in numbers for the Pro-50 One Day final which we lost. As a way of showing our gratitude for their support, we will play Botswana next month and right now we’re working on the modalities,” said Staddon.

Matabeleland Tuskers will have to seek clearance from the Sport and Recreation Commission through Zimbabwe Cricket to play host to Botswana.

However, by the time they take on Botswana they will be without half-a-dozen players who are leaving the country for European attachments.

Captain Godwill Mamhiyo, veteran Keith Dabengwa, Nkosana Mpofu, Steve Chimhamhiwa and Mupariwa brothers Tawanda and Tafara will not be available for the Botswana meet.

Mamhiyo, 22, led Matabeleland Tuskers to their fourth Logan Cup since the start of franchise cricket in 2009 and is expected to join Cookham Dean Cricket Club in the UK.

National team seamer Tawanda, 29, will play for Strabane, in Northern Ireland while Dabengwa returns to Scottish side Ferguslie who he helped win the CricHQ40 Cup last year.

Despite the unavailability of some star players, Staddon remains confident that Matabeleland Tuskers will field a strong side against Botswana.

“What we’ve agreed on is that all the players will keep busy by playing for their clubs since franchise cricket season is over. That way, the coaches will be able to monitor their performances and use those games to select a squad to face Botswana,” said Staddon.