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Godwill Mamhiyo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
SIX Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise players have secured off-season deals in Europe and are scheduled to leave the country during the second week of April.

The Logan Cup champions’ captain Godwill Mamhiyo, veteran Keith Dabengwa, Nkosana Mpofu, Steve Chimhamhiwa and the Mupariwa brothers Tawanda and Tafara, will be based in the United Kingdom.

Wayne James, the Matabeleland Tuskers’ coach who saw his charges fail to lift their first limited overs silverware on Saturday losing to Mashonaland Eagles by four wickets, confirmed that the six players would be active during the off-season.

“We’ve organised for quite a few guys to play in the United Kingdom during our off-season. This will help them keep in shape so that when the 2015-16 season resumes they are sharp. We are also trying to organise for two more players that is if we manage to get them teams,” said James.

Mamhiyo, 22, led Matabeleland Tuskers to their fourth Logan Cup since the start of franchise cricket in 2009. He has played in England before, turning out for Cookham Dean Cricket Club in 2013 after being recommended by ex-Matabeleland Tuskers coach Dave Houghton.

Seamer Tawanda, 29, also spent some time at Strabane, in Northern Ireland last year before returning home to join Matabeleland Tuskers. He was part of the Zimbabwe senior national team that played at the ICC World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

Dabengwa, 34, played for Lymington Cricket Club for the 2006 season. He went on to sign for Scottish side Ferguslie for the 2013 season. After a successful season helping them win the CricHQ40 Cup, he returned in the summer of 2014.

The 2014 season for Ferguslie was a successful one for Dabengwa as he scored over 700 league runs including a high score of 184 against Greenock. He also helped Ferguslie win the WDCU CSL First Division title.

According to online information, Dabengwa returns to Ferguslie once again with overseas amateur Fritz de Beer of Free State, South Africa.