MATSIKENYERI, CHAKABVA RESCUE BLUNT EAGLES

Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva’s 148 run partnership resuscitated a sinking Mashonaland Eagles batting line in the logan Cup match against Matabeleland Tuskers at Harare Sports Club. Tuskers made 268 on day one and the Eagles ended the second day on 247 for 9 leaving them trailing by 21 runs.

Eagles resumed from their overnight total of 17 for 2 with ray Price coming in as the night watchman and was with Chamu Chibhabha at the crease. Chibhabha was the first to depart on 24 then Price soon followed after having played a brave innings that spanned 14 runs. Matsikenyeri and Chakabva began to search for gaps taking singles and doubles frustrating the oil tuskers attack engine which saw Kegaan meth end up on 4 wickets.

The duo steadied the ship until the 80^th over when Meth trapped the Mash Eagles’ skipper leg before wicket after contributing a well orchestrated 78 runs. Matsikenyeri stayed at the crease for over three hours, facing 180 deliveries and clearing the boundary for 4, eight times.

Prosper Utseya came in at number eight and only lasted for 16 deliveries before being caught behind by wicketkeeper Bilal Shafayat. After that Chakabva was the next man to head back to the pavilion with 79 runs that was characterized by some sensible shot selection that yielded seven fours and one six.

The pick of the Tuskers was Meth who claimed five sculps for 41 in 22 overs while the other four wickets went to Glen Querl. Querl’s action has been a cause for concern but the Tuskers paceman has been one of the most consistent bowlers so far in the league and in this particular match he only conceded 53 runs in 29 overs with a healthy economy rate of 1.82 to the over.

Eagles ended the second day on 247 for 9 leaving them trailing by 21 runs.

In Kwekwe, Midwest Rhinos play against the Mountaineers at Kwekwe Sports Club. The Mutare based visitors batted first on day 1 and made 252 and at the close of play on Wednesday were on 161 for seven. The Rhinos made a first innings total of 183 runs, leaving the Mountaineers with a healthy lead of 230 runs.

Play resumes at 10 am …

WILLIAMS RESCUES TUSKERS

Matabeleland Tuskers all rounder, Sean Williams top scored with 69 runs on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club in a Logan Cup match against title contenders Mashonaland Eagles. Tuskers were eventually bowled out for 268 on day one while at the close play Eagles were on 17runs for two wickets.

Eagles won the toss and sent the visitors in to bad and disaster struck as early as the seventh over as opener Brian Chari fell victim to after mistiming a Nathan Waller ball to depart on leg before wicket. Moments later, Prosper Utseya trapped the duo of Terrence Duffin and Keith Dabengwa for leg before wicket leaving the visitors in all sort of troubles on 34 for three. Tuskers new signing, Bilal Shafayat provided some resistance by well crafted 51 eventually falling victim to a well bowled Tino Mutombodzi delivery.

Glen Querl was the most unlucky of the Tuskers batsman after falling short on a half century by one run. Experience proved to be the most priced element when Pay Price simply beat Querl with some exuberant ball turning exploits in the 82^nd over. Kegaan Meth contributed a handy 30 runs on the board before Price struck again deceiving the Tuskers skipper with a well bowled off cutter that trapped him leg before wicket.

No other Tuskers batsman passed the 20 run mark as Price picked the most wickets for the hosts, retaining figures of 4 for 62 in 19.2 overs. Utseya and Mutombodzi picked up two wickets each while Waller and innocent Chinyoka claimed a wicket each.

At the close of play the eagles had lost two wickets in the form of one Twenty 20 specialist Cephas Zhuwawo (14) and new boy Keith Kondo who failed to get off the mark. Zhuwawo faced 11 balls, cleared a huge 6 and a four before attempting to slog a fairly good ball from Meth and was caught by Querl. Kondo on the other hand faced just two deliveries before completely mistiming a Querl delivery only to have his middle stump uprooted.

In Kwekwe, it was Day one between Midwest Rhinos and Mountaineers at Kwekwe Sports Club. Half centuries from Tino Mawoyo 58, Tymcen Maruma 51 and Kudzai Sauramba 55  made sure the visiting Mountaineers set a comfortable first innings total of 252 runs. Rhinos Spinner Graeme Cremer claimed three wickets for 84 in a massive 26 overs while Edward Rainsford, Mluleki Nkala, Mike Chinouya and Malcolm Waller took a wicket each.

Play resumes at 10 am …

HEADACHE FOR MAKONI AS WEST INDIES BECKONS

The sport has been brought to yet another conundrum of dealing with the racism matters in this day and age, unfortunately. As we curiously await the announcement of the final squad that will travel to West Indies from the 24 men training squad (In the midst of a selection controversy).

But looking on the brighter side we continue to ponder in our thoughts on who will exactly make the cut of the final squad to tour the West Indies in about 20 days time. There is players that have shown some hunger after being left out of the 30 men training squad and there has been rumor that the likes of are Elton Chigumbura, Charles Coventry, Raza Butt, Mark Vermulen and Shingi Masakadza might force their way into the side.

In the truest sense of trying to win it would appear sensible for some of these individuals to be drafted into that travelling squad but judging from the reasons cited for them being dropped, the selection panel must just stick to its original plan and keep them dropped.

A look at possible candidates according to The Chief, In the One Dayers, Brendon Taylor is the captain of the team and has been exceptional in the past year so he would be the rightful man to lead the team despite having failed a fitness test. He has an added advantage of being the keeper and gives selectors that option of fielding either an extra bowler or batsman. That would be bad news for Regis Chakabva who hasn’t been at the top of his game in the ongoing domestic season.

In terms of the batsman l would opt for Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza and definitely its time Givemore Makoni and his team to give Tino Mawoyo the nod in the shorter version of the game. He has a proven track in these games especially in the past two seasons where he made a commendable number of good performances bettering fellow “specialist” batsman. Maybe to a very distant extent the inclusion of Malcolm Waller would work for Allan Butcher when the crunch time calls, off cause considering how powerful the West Indians can be since they are the raining Twenty20 champions.

Talking of giving chances Tino Mutombodzi and Natsayi Mushangwe are now suitable replacements for the aging Ray Price, in my opinion they must get the spots ahead of Price. In that spin department Graeme Cremer is a player par-excellence but must be given time to rehabilitate that knee if we are to have him for longer. But obviously one player who is enjoying a good spell of form is Prosper Utseya, in my view he mu be part of that team.

In the fast bowling department Chris Mpofu and Kyle Jarvis must lead and maybe be partnered by Heath Streak’s favorite Kegaan Meth. Here Utseya, Mutombodzi maybe played as all rounders and maybe the possibility of including Sean Williams in the fray to balance up the all rounders.

In the Test Arena, Williams, Chakabva and Price will definitely have to be in there somewhere to consolidate and add experience to the fairly young inexperienced team. However in the fast bowling lane Brian Vitori has to get a chance to play, to me he is a natural paceman who needs mental fine tuning.

Well for now we can only ponder and wait for the Makoni led selection panel to provide us with the men they think are ready to do battle in the next 20 days.

Training Squad:
Brendan Taylor (Captain), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Mike Chinouya, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tinashe Panyangara, Raymond Price, Edward Rainsford, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Nathan Waller and Sean Williams.

CHIGUMBURA, MASAKDZA REGISTER FIRST LOSS IN BPL

Elton Chigumbura's Sylhet Royals finally ran out of steam as they lost their first match after five wins, to Dhaka Gladiators by 31 runs. Royals had previously won four matches chasing more than 140 with ease, but fell well below the target this time.

Three Royals batsmen were run out, starting with Dwayne Smith, who slipped in the middle of the pitch in the second over. Mohammad Nabi and Nazmul Hossain Milon also ended up short of the crease, reducing Royals to 47 for 5 in the ninth over. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim made 41 off 37 balls, but couldn't take the team past the three-figure mark.

 

Hamilton Masakdza was dropped after a poor run in the last two matches, with his absence the team limped to 127 for 8 in 20 overs. After Smith's run out, Gladiators captain Mashrafe Mortaza took his first wicket of the tournament. Alfonso Thomas and left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib took two wickets each to stifle the middle-order further.

 

Gladiators had put together a competitive total, though it was short of the scores put up the previous night in front of a full-house. They had some luck initially when Sohag Gazi dropped a simple chance at mid-on to let off Josh Cobb. But Mohammad Ashraful was the first to go, falling to Sulieman Benn in the fourth over. Shakib Al Hasan and Cobb also fell in the next four overs, before two fifty-plus partnerships rescued the Gladiators.

 

Stevens cracked two sixes in his unbeaten 35-ball 55, adding 53 for the fourth wicket with Owais Shah and another 52 for the fifth wicket with the aggressive Anamul Haque, who smashed three sixes and a boundary in his 18-ball 32.

CHIGUMBURA SHINES IN BANGLADESH

Elton Chigumbura's 31 off 17, which was characterised by some aggressive strokes took the Sylhet Royals to victory with three balls to spare by 3 wickets against Brendon taylor's Chittagong Kings to record a fifth consecutive win, eventually increasing their lead at the top of the table.

The win silenced a sell-out crowd at the MA Aziz Stadium, but part from disappointing the home support it is the sort of cricket that the BPL requires to bring in more crowds.

Paul Stirling started the chase by going across the line a number of times in his 25-ball 38 before getting run out after a mix-up with Nabi. Stirling had earlier survived a chance off a top edge that was dropped after Ravi Bopara and Naeem Islam collided at mid-on.

Nabi made up for his error by hitting consecutive sixes soon after in a vital 43 off 26 balls. But the chase came down to Chigumbura and the former national team captain made the difference with his three sixes, shepherding the finish with Suhrawadi Shuvo who crunched a boundary to complete the victory.

 

Earlier, Naeem anchored the Kings innings to make a career-best 72 off 52 balls with nine boundaries showing he could adapt after remodelling his game to suit longer versions. Naeem and Ravi Bopara added 78 for the first wicket before the Kings started to lose regular wickets. Ryan ten Doeschate made 21 off 10 balls towards the end to prop up the total, which seemed to be enough on a slow wicket.

 

But the wickedly fast outfield, with barren patches around the rope, played a role as the Royals used their power to good effect. For the Kings it continued their problems at home and this was their third loss in four matches

NO TO TRYING TIMES AGAIN IN CRICKET, WE ARE TIRED!!!

The Coltart/ Makoni saga got me thinking really hard about our cricket affairs in general from the boardroom to the field. The directive has been the cause of much concern in the country particularly for the cricketing world since its announcement. Its initial draft stated that only former national players could be considered as selectors. ZC took the issue with a pinch of salt t because of Zimbabwe’s past which saw few black African players represent the country at national level. The country’s cricket governing body said the directive would continue to marginalize the majority of the population by ruling them out of administrative positions.

How good have we been in the past decade in this gentlemen’s game? Some would argue that we haven’t played enough cricket this far. Some would like me say there has been a considerable amount of development in this game, enough to say we have rebuilt cricket to the extent that it has bore some internationally recognized stars like Hamilton Masakadza, Brendon Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu, world class umpires Jeremiah Matibiri and Owen Chirombe record breakers like Brian Vitori and the youngest T20 umpire Langton Rusere.

I am sure most of us would boldly say, we can never go back to the era of oppression by any standard what so ever. Whether or not Makoni is a worthy candidate it remains to be seen but for now until we can place a trusted "white man" we would be looking at another black man succeeds him and continue fighting for the cause of the general black cricketers. For now the directive by the SRC shades nothing but those painful days of our cricket history. Those days were being black was one’s undoing whether or not you were a good cricketer.

Where l hail from, in Bulawayo, there were players like the late great wicketkeeper batsman Wisdom Siziba, Godwin Dube, Mbekezeli Mabuza, Lucky Ngwenya, Trevor Phiri, Tinashe Hove, Sydney Dingizita, Chris Phiri, Vumindaba Moyo, Bhethule Mlotshwa and yours truly but unfortunately these gentlemen where denied a chance to showcase their skills to the nation because of the racial card being pulled time and again, eventually ending most of our careers at provincial level.   

The racial card though must not be used as an excuse for our short comings; we have had our fair share of pathetic decisions as the black administrators. On the field of play there has been a ‘trial and error’ approach for the better part of the past decade or so until the arrival of the most successful project cricket has seen in this country; the franchise system. It has been successful, l mean judging from the fact that the system has produced a couple of progressive stars like Nathan Waller, Kevin Kasuza, Brian Chari, Stephen Chimhamhiwa, Tino Mutombodzi, Tendai Chatara, PJ Moor to mention just a few.

It’s interesting how Coltart has attracted so much attention when in actual fact cricket isnt doing that bad ( from my point of view). It’s a broke institution yes, its management has its short falls yes, its players have put one too many dismal shows yes, but with all due respect can all these problems be solved by appointing a former national team player to be convener of selectors? From the surface it looks and sounds well to have quality selectors but how many black faces do we have the backs of those hapless youngsters?

This directive is coming a bit too early, we will have to have the Vusi Sibanda, Masakadza, Matsikenyeri playing era coming to an end. Then they can usher the game from a hands on approach in terms of experience but until then the black majority, am sure will guard this convener of selectors post jealously because it provides for a fair player selection platform.

ZC ON THE HUNT FOR COACHES

The Zimbabwe Cricket has started its hunt for the Under 19 and national team head coaches. The cricket body as of Wednesday and yesterday held interviews with short listed candidates that included former Test players Grant Flower, Andy Waller and assistant coach Steve Mangongo for the senior national team. Walter Chawaguta, Gary Brent and Shepard Makunura are in the running for the 19’s job.

ZC’s interviewing panel was comprised of Freddy Kapuya, Trevor Mutangadura the ZC General Manager, Board member Sylvester Machaka who was also the chairman of the panel, Brian Murphy senior, an independent representative and Alistair Campbell together with the organization’s Human Resources representative.

The Under 19 interviews set the ball rolling on Wednesday and there it’s almost clear who Chris Harris’ predecessor is; with Chawaguta leading the pack with his proven track record at that age group. He also holds experience from the national team which he was in charge of for more than four years while Brent who is currently the head coach at Mountaineers has vast experience as a player and not necessarily as a coach.

 Makunura will be one to be groomed for the position in the next few years as he is a charismatic fella who has a bit of experience under his belt and is currently getting the best mentorship from Dave Houghton at Southern Rocks in Masvingo.

The junior’s job requires a coach who understands the needs of the youngsters, a leader who can turn the little boys’ dreams into reality and above all a mentor who can bring them to believe that they can play the game of cricket. Looking at how things went in Australia last year at the World Cup, Harris many a time appeared to have no clue what so ever when the crunch times prevailed, he faltered under pressure eventually managing to get a 15^th place finish. However Chawaguta was part of that technical team and most of the times players turned to him for guidance, choosing to elude the head coach. That on its own says a lot about the caliber of coach Chawaguta is.

Looking at the main job in the game, in a team that is depleted and lacks respect for the man at the helm, the next man on the line must be a firm believer of unity creation methods. In the recent past the team has been torn along racial lines although many within the circles decide to down play this however  it has been rearing its ugly head in the senior team.

Then his second task should be to bring back the passion and national pride into the changing room that is characterized by ill discipline especially from the so called senior players. Thirdly, to bring back the fighting spirit (winning mentality) for the team to gain some sort of respect from other opposition teams.

Our dalliance with cricket should not only be about competitiveness but also winning hence the need for someone who shares such a vision to coach the national team. A closer look at the short listed candidates.

Amongst the short listed candidates was Anton Roux a 31 year old South African who was born in the United States. He does not have any experience in the field play as a national team representative on the international scene. Roux however did not turn out for the interview or respond to his short list letter.

 According to Mangongo’s CV he has played first class cricket for Mashonaland and the President’s XI. He coached the Under-19 national team to plate glory at the 2002 World Cup in New Zealand. Albeit never played cricket at the highest level. He has however been the most decprated coach in the past decade in Zimbabwe have coached all age groups, collecting silverware with every franchise team he has ever taken charge of. Manicaland won the first class competition, the 50-overs and the T-20 competitions under his guidance. He also led Mountaineers in the popular Stanbic T-20 championships as well as the Met Bank Pro-40 competition and as of last week he won the Pro 50 Championship with The Mashonaland eagles and is on the verge of winning the Twenty 20 Championships in a fortnight.

While the playing experience argument may appear to have its merits Mangongo has a reservoir of experience and technical ability. He has excelled in player management, dressing room command and knowledge of the demands of the modern game. Mangongo can transform average players into competitive ones. He identified and nurtured Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Elton Chigumbura and Vusi Sibanda, among many others, and deserves to finish the work he started with them.

Mangongo won the ZC Coach of the Year award twice in 2009 and 2010 before winning the Coach of the Year award at the Annual National Sports Awards. He has also worked as a national selector among other various roles.

Tall and athletic, Andy Waller's career suffered as a result of a spate of injuries and the demands of tending his tobacco farm. A popular character, he was an entertaining batsman, an outstanding fielder, and a more than useful - if occasional - medium-pace bowler. A regular in the Zimbabwe one-day side from the mid 1980s - he appeared in the 1987, 1992 and 1996 World Cups however his Test debut didn't come until he was 37. This was largely because of his reputation as something of a slogger, a tag he disproved with a patient 50 in his first Test against England in 1996-97.

His experience as a coach includes being the first coach of the Mid West Rhinos where he fell out favor with most senior players who included his talented son and national team all rounder Malcolm. He has that required charisma but would have challenges in commending one hundred percent respect from the changing room due to his gentleman like approach to things which was Butcher’s biggest let down.

And finally younger brother to one of the most decorated coaches in current world cricket trends England Director of Coaching Andy Flower, Grant an experienced top-order batsman who began his career as an opener who then slipped down the order. Grant had the stubborn temperament needed to play long innings, but was also a powerful hitter when required.

He was also a brilliant fielder anywhere close to the wicket, and a handy left-arm spinner at one-day level during his playing days. He seems to have the mental toughness required for the job but has had his disappointing escapades with the current set up of the selection panel. At the Twenty 20 World Cup Grant is said to have displayed his immaturity levels by refusing to get to the field of play after a dispute over the selection of Prosper Utseya. Butcher had to eventually intervene on the matter, despite that maturity imbalance he is a wonderful tactician who still needs to do his time in the coaching trenches.

Many would have wanted to see Heath Streak’s name appear in the short list, however the former national team captain now bowling coach decided not to apply for the job. Streak has done well with the bowling department of the team and commands a lot of respect from the current crop of players. He has molded some good relationships with players from his Matabeleland Tuskers franchise; he has been instrumental in the return of the forgotten yester year players like Gavin Ewing, Keith Dabengwa and Charles Coventry.

Another fitting candidate who never bothered applying is former national team coach Dave Houghton; he is one of the most influential individuals ever to be part of the cricket setup. He has all the qualities of a good coach and has shown that he is capable after winning the Logan Cup with The Tuskers two times in a row in 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Now the ball is on the Machaka led panel which will submit it’s findings to the ZC board chairman Peter Chingoka who will then sit with his board and give the deserving man the job of national team coach. In the mean time we have to watch how Butcher intends to exit the top job in the forth coming tour to the West Indies.

                                               Steve Mangongo after the interview

EAGLES WIN PRO 50 CHAMPIONSHIP

Mashonaland Eagles are the CHAMPIONS after beating Matabeleland Tuskers by 5 runs in a rain affected Pro 50 Championship Final. The Duckworth Lewis method had to be employed to help  get a result in the match played at Queens Sports Club yesterday.

The Tuskers won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat and Stuart Matsikanyeri and Cephas Zhuwawo opened the account with a first wicket stand of 47 off seven overs. Zhuwawo was the first to head back for the pavilion after mistiming a Glen Querl delivery after contributing 33 runs off 28 balls. Chamu Chibhabha was the next man in but did not do much as the middle order crumbled. Nathan Waller, Regis Chakabva and Razza Butt made 68 runs between the  them. Man of the match Prosper Utseya produced a fine batting show with a well crafted 53 off 44 balls having cleared the boundary for four 4 times and once for 6. There was not much contribution in the lower order as Tino Mutombodzi, Taurayi Muzarabani and Innocent Chinyoka added only four runs to the board leaving the Eagles on 222 all out in the final over.

Topping the bowling figures for Tuskers was Kegaan meth who claimed three wickets for 54 runs inside his ten overs. Christopher Mpofu bowled well to retain figures of 2 for 31 in 9.1 overs while spinner John Nyumbu also claimed two scalps with Querl and Keith Dabengwa taking a wicket each.

Tuskers opened their account with Captain Gavin Ewing and Brian Chari and put up a first wicket partnership of 138 runs. Chari made 43 while Ewing ended up on 94 and there after the middle order tumbled with poor shot selection being the order of the day. Charles Coventry tried to salvage some pride for the hosts as he made 24 off 28 deliveries, pretty much sealing the eagles’ victory in the 46^th over. In the 47^th over the heavens opened with tuskers 5 runs behind on the Duckworth Lewis par score with Mpofu and Dabengwa at the crease. The match was stopped and the rains persisted giving the Eagles their second Pro 50 crown.

The pick of the bowlers for the visitors was Utseya who took 3 for 41 in 9.5 overs while Waller picked two wickets and Chinyoka, Muzarabani, and Mutombodzi taking a wicket each.

 

COVENTRY JOINS THE ELITE IN THE BPL

National team contender Charles Coventry has been signed by Duronto Rajshahi to play in the Bangladesh Premier League. The Dhaka based side made a late call up of the naturally gifted pinch hitter late Friday night for an undisclosed fee. Coventry will play in the same team with his Tuskers teammate Sean Ervine and becomes the fifth player to join the elite BPL.

He joins Elton Chigumbura, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendon Taylor and Ervine. This call up gives Coventry a boost in his career after being over looked by the selectors for Zimbabwe’s tour of the West Indies in mid February.

If he makes the team on arrival he will play against the Khulna Royal Bengals on the 25 th of January. The captain is of the Duronto Rajshahi is Simon Katich and his deputy is Tamim Iqbal. The team is coached former national team wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud and the batting coach being former national team spinner and commentator Athar Ali Khan.

Coventry is an aggressive middle-order batsman who can open in one-day cricket and also keep wicket. He was Zimbabwe's youngest first-class player at 15 years 303 days, for Matabeleland in 1998.

Chopper as he is affectionately known in the cricketing circles currently plays for Bulawayo Athletic Club. He was part of the national Under-19 team in the World Cup in 2002, he cherishes the lofted drive but is yet get the discipline required of a consistently successful batsman. Coventry has played two Tests against India in September 2005, after the mass exodus of the then senior players.

 Coventry like many other Zimbabwean players went to play club cricket in England and wasn't part of the senior Zimbabwe side for three years. He made a headline-grabbing return in August 2009, equalling the record for the highest individual ODI score by blasting an unbeaten 194 in the fourth match against Bangladesh in Bulawayo.