[Match Thread] Tuskers v Rhinos (Logan Cup)

[Train Driver]

News from Bulawayo this morning, Tuskers have won the toss and chosen to bat first.

Tuskers side according to cricinfo,

Mujuru, Ewing, Vermeulen, Strydom*, Dabengwa, Coventry, Meth, Mupariwa, Ebrahim, Nyumbu & Mpofu

Rhinos side,

Sibanda*, Taylor, Cremer, Kasteni, Nyathi, Chinouya, Muzarabani, Chapungu, Waller, Lewis & one not yet named

Tuskers are currently 38-0 from 11 overs with Mujuru 5* and Ewing 29*

[zimfan1]

Looks like Riki Wessels has been signed up for the Rhinos, this is another coup for Zimbabwe cricket as he is a top young batsman who is a regualr in the Northampton side in the English county season and he will add good experiance in the side and hopefully will challange the bowlers who are up against him.

[Train Driver]

Yes indeed, it would be nice if his father could come down and do a bit of coaching as well !!, i managed to get in a bit of Kelper watching when he was a Sussex player, what a batsman, nobody took his wicket without a fight.

A few players missing in this game, once again no Rainsford or Mugochi in the Rhinos side, while Duffin, Williams and Ngulube are missing from Tuskers.

[zimfan1]

Yes indeed, it would be nice if his father could come down and do a bit of coaching as well !!, i managed to get in a bit of Kelper watching when he was a Sussex player, what a batsman, nobody took his wicket without a fight.

A few players missing in this game, once again no Rainsford or Mugochi in the Rhinos side, while Duffin, Williams and Ngulube are missing from Tuskers.

Well for the Rhinos Rainsford has got a hamstring injury and Queens is not a spinning track so looks like they have only gone with the one Spinner in Cremer

For the Tuskers Williams is out for six weeks with that hamstring injury that keeped him out of the Bangladesh tour whilst looks like Coventry has been given the gloves so that they can fit both him and Vermulen in the side whilst i have njo idea why Duffin is not in the side, probabley got a little niggle as he scored a big century in the last game.

[zimfan1]

hmmm without Rainsford the bowling looks a bit short baring Cremer. But its nice to see Ewing and Ebrahim scoring some runs as they are amoungst the ones who will be pushing for a national team place when the selecters next get together.

The Tuskers look a formidable outfit on paper with only Mujuru and Nyumbu not having previously played for the national side.

[zimfan1]

Cremer takes Ewing and Vermulen out in two consecutive delivery’s

Good knock by Ewing looks like he has found his place at the top of the order now after a couple of good knocks now, Vermulen continues his poor run of form and looks to be one of the players under pressure in the national side.

[zimfan1]

Matabeleland Tuskers take on Mid West Rhinos

By Godfrey Koti





Matabeleland Tuskers return to action today as they take on Mid West Rhinos in the second round of the Logan Cup.
They are still banking on the form they displayed in the last match of their first round campaign in which they beat Southern Rocks in a match played at Masvingo Sports Club.
The Kwekwe-based Mid West Rhinos who beat a star studded Mountaineers in Mutare a fortnight ago hope to carry that momentum through to this round two opening match to be played in the City of Kings.
Mid West Rhinos are relying on the services of captain Vusi Sibanda who is the leading run scorer in the country’s number one cricket league.
They also pin their hopes of winning on their most valuable player Brandon Taylor who has been on song since the beginning of the league.
Malcom Waller, who marks his return to domestic cricket after touring with the national team in Bangladesh and South Africa, is spearheading the victory hunt for the Rhinos.
Former national team opening bowler Edward Rainsford is expected to lead the attack with Taurai Muzarabani who has had a tremendous show during the first half of the season.
Former Matabeleland star player Clement Mahachi makes a return to his home soil this time as an opponent to his former team.
Mahachi is the Assistant Coach for Mid West Rhinos and has had a fine run winning two out four matches and scrapping two draws.
He outclassed his opposite number Robin Brown in the first match that was played at Kwekwe Sports Club.
“We played some good cricket in the first round of the matches but this time around we have a different game plan”, said a confident Mahachi.
Andy Waller, who is head coach for the visitors echoed Mahachi’s sentiments citing that Tuskers were no push overs.
On the other hand Brown is happy to have Mbekezeli Mabuza in his huge pool of batsman.
Mabuza and paceman Simba Kusano were involved in a car accident three months ago but have since recovered.
Kusano is however still recovering. “I am ready to play for my franchise and l will leave the rest to the coaches to decide through my performance,” said Mabuza.
Tuskers will be happy with the return of national team players Chris Mpofu, off-form Charles Coventry and Mark Vermuelen who were also on tour.
Tawanda Mupariwa, Terrence Duffin, Dion Ebrahim, Bornapate Mujuru and the ever-shining John Nyumbu Jnr are expected to carry the day for the hosts.
Mid West Rhinos arrived in the city yesterday morning for the thriller and had a light training session at the match venue.
The Logan Cup Four-Day match begins today and ends on Thursday.
Probable Teams
Rhinos
V.Sibanda,B.Taylor,F Kasteni, M Waller, R Wessel, R Nyathi, T Muzarabani, M Chinouya, J Lewis
G Creamer, B Chapungu, E Rainsford, I Chinyoka
Tuskers
G Strydom, M Vermeulen, T Duffin, D Ebrahim, B Mujuru, K Dabengwa, C Coventry, K Meth, T Mupariwa, J Nyumbu, C Mpofu, M Mabuza, G Ewing.

http://www.chronicle.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=596&cat=5

[Train Driver]

Nice to see any reports from within Zim about the games, i have to say though, that Mr Koti does seem to let accuracy drift out of the window when he gets his pen into his hand ........

Scorecard coverage from cricinfo seemed to dry up at around tea time, could they have had rain in Bulawayo today ?

Showing Tuskers 181-5 after 59 overs at close of play

Ewing 62 & Ebrahim 44 - Cremer 4-43

[Detective RDS]

Scorecard: http://www.cricinfo.com/zimdomestic-09/ ... 14300.html

CricInfo is giving live coverage of the match.

Matabeleland Tuskers 284/6 (Ewing 62, Strydom 55, Ebrahim 44, Coventry 36*, Meth 35*)
Cremer 4/77, Sibanda 1/44, Muzarabani 1/63

Good to see for a Tuskers point of view, Ewing and Ebrahim scoring runs. I guess Ebrahim is definitely going to make the next national squad. Skipper Strydom also made a half century. Coventry and Meth is also having a good go.

The disappointing facts are Vermeulen didn't get any run Hope he gets a veryyyyyyy big score in the 2nd innings. Can't understand why Duffin isn't in the team especially after the big century he made against the Rocks.

And good to see Cremer taking wickets.

[Detective RDS]

Coventry and Meth both have made half centuries

Matabeleland Tuskers 329/6 (Coventry 59*, Meth 57*)