Wise man from the East

[zimfan1]

Wise man from the East

Sports Editor/zimcricket

FORMER Kenya cricket captain Steve Tikolo hopes his involvement in Zimbabwe’s domestic cricket will help develop up-and-coming players in this country.

Tikolo, regarded as the best batsman not to play Test cricket, flew into Harare on Tuesday to join Masvingo-based franchise, the Southern Rocks.

"I’m obviously happy to pass down the little I lave learnt in my playing career," Tikolo said soon after arriving.

"If I do that I will be happy. Obviously, when I play cricket I am always looking for new challenges, and playing in Zimbabwe is a big challenge.

"For me it’s an honour to play in Zimbabwe and I would like to thank Southern Rocks for the opportunity."

Tikolo made his debut for his new team in a Logan Cup match, which started on Wednesday, against the Mashonaland Eagles, at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy ground.

He will soon be joined by his Kenya teammate Thomas Odoyo, who is also set to sign for the Zimbabwean franchise.

The 38-year-old Tikolo took 2-54 on the first day.

He removed the dangerous Elton Chigumbura for 61, caught by Robertson Chinyengetere and then trapped Regis Chakabva for seven.

The Rocks won the toss and decided to field.

Tikolo commended the healthy relationship between Kenya and Zimbabwe cricket.

"At board and playing level relations are excellent," he said.

"Obviously in Zimbabwe the standards are better. In Kenya we’ve had our problems with new players coming in all the time and change of personnel.

"More games will obviously help our standards. The more you play the better you get."

The recent appointment of West Indian Eldine Baptiste as Kenya’s national team coach is a step in the right direction, said Tikolo.

"I have worked with him for two weeks. He is very focused on the job. He wants guys to work hard. Discipline is his work line."

Meanwhile, The Rocks further boosted their squad by signing three more players.

The talented duo of Stephen Marillier and the Ervine brothers — Craig and Matthew — arrived from England yesterday morning and trained with their new teammates.

The Rocks had an indifferent start to the season.

They lost to Manicaland Mountaineers in Mutare by eight wickets in the Logan Cup and by five wickets in the Faithwear one-day series.

"The presence of these four, with Thomas Odoyo also arriving soon, gives us a really balanced and competitive side now," said the franchise’s chief executive Givemore Makoni.

"Everyone in the franchise is really excited about this development."

SCORECARD

Mashonaland Eagles 1st innings

S Mwakayeni c Chinyengetere b Mahwire 25

RE Butterworth lbw b Chisoro 3

P Masvaure c Tikolo b Matanga 29

GA Lamb c Kamungozi b Matanga 8

F Mutizwa b Chibhabha 48

E Chigumbura c Chinyengetere b Tikolo 61

RW Chakabva lbw b Tikolo 7

RW Price c Maregwede b Kamungozi 11

TN Garwe not out 28

AM Manyuwa not out 58

Extras (lb 8, w 3, nb 14) 25

Total (8 wickets; 90 overs) 303 (3.36 runs per over)

Fall of wickets 1-8 (Butterworth, 3.5ov), 2-35 (Mwakayeni, 14.5 ov), 1-8 (Butterworth, 3.5 ov), 2-35 (Makayeni, 14.5 ov), 3-72 (Lamb, 24.2 ov), 4-83 (Masvaure, 26.3 ov), 5-171 (Mutizwa, 46.2 ov), 6-185 (Chakabva, 50.1 ov), 7-202 (Price, 58.3 ov), 8-207 (Chigumbura, 60.4 ov).

Bowling

O M R W Econ

NB Mahwire 16 4 44 1 2.75 (1nb, (1w)

TS Chisoro 14 3 36 1 2.57 (2w)

CJ Chibhabha 17 2 65 1 3.82 (11nb)

T Kamungozi 18 6 51 1 2.83 (2nb)

H Matanga 8 0 45 2 5.62

SO Tikolo 17 3 54 2 3.17

— Sports Editor/zimcricket

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=10845&cat=5

[zimfan1]

The talented duo of Stephen Marillier and the Ervine brothers — Craig and Matthew — arrived from England yesterday morning and trained with their new teammates.

good to see more players returning from england after the season has ended

But never heard of Matthew Ervine any one ever heard of him???

[Detective RDS]

I think, it should be Ryan Ervine. Or may be he is called Ryan Mathew Ervine...like that