Dion Ebrahaims Return Confirmed

[zimfan1]

Franchise cricket hits town

By Tinashe Kusema

WITH its roots firmly anchored on pride, tradition and honour, Zimbabwe’s oldest sporting competition, the Logan Cup, will tomorrow return for its 109th edition.



Add to this the return of five former internationals, the launch of Franchise cricket and you have the recipe for some captivating cricket.
The competition, despite maintaining its roots in the four-day format, is now in its third trimester having gone through several changes over the years.
Prior to the 2006-07 season, the contesting teams were Matabeleland, Mashonaland, Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland.
In 2007, the Logan Cup format was revamped to include the following teams, each from their respective geographical locations: Northerns, Southerns, Centrals, Westerns, Easterns and Kenya Select.
Now 2009 signals the dawn of a new era as the cup has been incorporated into the new franchise cricket along with the Faithwear Limited Overs and domestic Twenty-20 competitions, as recommended by the International Cricket Council.
Five franchises — Eagles, Mountaineers, Tuskers, Southern Rocks and Midwest Rhinos — will be fighting for top honours in all three competitions throughout the new domestic season which ends March 10 2010.
Two potentially explosive matches are lined up around the country tomorrow as favourites Eagles and Mountaineers clash in the capital while Midwest Rhinos and Tuskers lock horns in Kwekwe.
Southern Rocks received a bye.
It is, however, the clash in the capital that will attract most attention, as it not only sees two of the country’s top cricketing cities clash, but it will also mark the comeback of Dion Ebrahim, Terrence Duffin, Gavin Ewing, Craig Strydon and Greg Lamb.
Ebrahim, Strydon, Duffin and Ewing, who had allegedly quit cricket, have all been roped in by Bulawayo-based Mountaineers while Lamb has been snatched by Eagles.
Eagles, however, will have to do without the services of Tatenda Taibu, Graeme Cremer, and Brendan Taylor, who crossed the floor to Mountaineers and Midwest Rhinos respectively.
They have since acquired the services of Tafadzwa Mufambisi, Forster Mutizwa and Tinotenda Mutongedzi as replacements.
Leading the bowling attack will be skipper Elton Chigumbura alongside seamers Trevor Garwe and Admire Manyumwa.
Raymond Price and new sensation Matongedzi will be the first-choice spin options.
In the batting, Regis Chakabva, Mutizwa, Lamb, Alois Tichana and Chigumbura will form the backbone of the top-order.
During a visit to Eagles’ training sessions last week, there was an aura of serenity in their camp as caretaker coach Walter Chawaguta ran his charges through their paces in preparation for their clash against Mountaineers.
“Basically we have done all we can to prepare for the season and I am generally satisfied with the progress we have made, especially in the bowling section where we had had Heath Streak lending his assistance,” he said.
In Bulawayo, Mountaineers chief Stanley Staddon did not mince his words expressing his desire to take the team to the top.
“We have made our goal to be the best and have brought in some players who we believe will get the job done.
“Among them are openers Strydon, Duffin, Ebrahim, Sean Williams, Charles Coventry, Gavin Ewing and Matthew Williams,” he said.
Coventry, still fresh from his record 194 not out against Bangladesh, will be instrumental in the team’s batting line-up alongside Mark Vermeulen while Christopher Mpofu will be expected to chip in with the wickets as he leads the Mountaineers’ bowling attack.

http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/inside.aspx ... 485&cat=18

[Train Driver]

I see that he was still playing in England this weekend

http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/S ... 30550.html

[zimfan1]

hmmm and hes not in the sqauds on cricinfo (dont trust them lol)

perhaps he is finishing of his contract in England like Taylor before he joins his franchise

[Train Driver]

Sunday News report of the Rhinos v Eagles Logan Cup match includes a piece on Dion Ebrahim.

http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/inside.aspx ... 4525&cat=5

He is now reported to be in Zim and is understood to have been offered a contract by Tuskers ,along with Gavin Ewing, who arrived too late to be included in the 1st round of matches.

[Detective RDS]

That's excellent for the Tuskers ! Dion Ebrahim is very experienced in FC cricket and currently Zimbabweas most experienced test player with 29 test caps. Gavin Ewing will also boost the Tuskers lineup.