Zimpapers Logo

CITY of Kings cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat today when the country’s old foes Matabeleland Tuskers take on Mashonaland Eagles in the Pro-50 One Day final at Queens Sports Club. Matabeleland Tuskers are hunting for their first limited overs silverware since the introduction of franchise cricket in 2009.Memories of a near victory over Mashonaland Eagles at Queens Sports Club two seasons ago are still fresh in Matabeleland Tuskers’ players who lost the Pro-50 One day final through the Duckworth Lewis method after rains disrupted play. Matabeleland Tuskers captain Godwill Mamhiyo and his boys are praying for fine weather, hoping that the light drizzle that fell yesterday won’t turn out to be heavy rains today and disrupt the game.

He said they have prepared well for the encounter even though “a few nerves will be flying out” during the final.

Mamhiyo appealed to the Bulawayo community to come in their numbers so that they share their joy with them.

“We respect our opponents and we hope the heavens won’t open up and disrupt play. Everyone is upbeat. It’s not going to be easy but I believe we’ve done enough to make sure that we control the controllable,” Mamhiyo said.

Matabeleland Tuskers have a strong bowling unit — which will be key to their success.

They welcome Sean Williams and Tawanda Mupariwa in their bowling attack who were on national duty at the ICC World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. They will miss the services of national team player Craig Ervine who remained in Australia to see his family.

All-rounder Williams could be a key figure in this final. He is expected to play a big part in leading the batting attack and is a very effective and economic left-arm spinner.

Matabeleland Tuskers have an impressive batting line-up which also includes Brian Chari, who rediscovered his form and confidence with an outstanding century against the same opposition on Tuesday, Nkosana Mpofu, Bonaparte Mujuru, the experienced Keith Dabengwa, Mamhiyo and Richmond Mutumbami, who has not been keeping wicket regularly this season due to a back injury.

Mpofu, Chari and Mamhiyo have all scored more than 200 runs in this Pro-50 tournament this season, although the coach, Wayne James, would like to see more really big scores from his players.

Mupariwa is back as the most consistent of a strong pace-bowling attack which includes Christopher Mpofu, in fine form in this competition with a season total of 18 wickets, Brian Vitori, very quick in Tuesday’s match, and the exciting young all-rounder Luke Jongwe.

John Nyumbu leads the spinners — although he has much to live down after Mashonaland Eagles’ number 11 Tatenda Gumunyu-Manatsa drove him for two sixes on Tuesday — and he is supported by the two left-arm spinners Dabengwa and Ainsley Ndlovu.

On the other hand, Mashonaland Eagles will be without injured national team skipper Elton Chigumbura, spin bowler Prosper Utseya who picked an injury during Thursday’s training.

Brendan Taylor will not be available to make a farewell appearance in Zimbabwe cricket due to personal commitments.

Mashonaland Eagles’ coach Mufaro Chiturumani says that batting has been his team’s main weakness this season, so he will be delighted to have three fine attacking batsmen in Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva and Chamunorwa Chibhabha back in his team for this final. Their presence will certainly challenge the home team’s superiority!

Of the Mashonaland Eagles’ other batsmen, only Ryan Burl has passed 200 runs in this competition this season, and he has been out through injury recently. The other major batsman is the captain, Gregory Lamb, who also bowls off-spin, but he has also been injured and is not expected to be fit for the final. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, an exciting but inconsistent batsman and leg-spinner, will take over the reins.

The opening batsmen, Keith Kondo and Simbarashe Gupo, have not had much Pro-50 success this season, neither has the powerful hitter Cephas Zhuwao, while the English professional Mark Pettini has returned to Essex for the coming English season.

On the other hand, there could be a dark horse in Joylord Gumbie, the young 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who scored a very impressive 172 not out in the Logan Cup match last weekend and could be in the national team next season. Taylor has left, while other recent national wicketkeepers, Mutumbami and Chakabva, both suffer frequently from back injuries. — Sports Reporter/online.