The ManicaPost
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has pushed the start of the 2020/21 Logan Cup contest by a week to allow for more time to finalise the logistics for a bio-secure bubble for the first-class competition — a development that comes in handy for Mountaineers’ preparations.
The team is yet to have a coach.
The four-day tournament had initially been scheduled to begin on Thursday this week, but it will now get underway next Wednesday.
In an interview with Post Sport this week, ZC spokesperson Darlington Majonga said the delay is indeed a blessing for Mountaineers.
“We are working on the appointment of a Mountaineers coach and as soon as the task is completed, we will make due announcements. Yes, the delay in starting is a blessing for the Mountaineers as they still do not have a coach,” said Majonga.
The Logan Cup will see the Mountaineers facing the Eagles, while the Tuskers will take on Rhinos in the first games.
Southern Rocks, back in the elite domestic competitions for the first time since the 2013/14 season, will only get into action against Tuskers in the next round of Logan Cup fixtures scheduled for December 15 to 18, which will also see Rhinos and Eagles tussling it out in the other match before the Christmas break.
All matches will be played at Harare venues.
In another first for local sport, ZC has set up a bio-secure bubble — which refers to an environment cut off from the outside world so as to greatly minimise the risk of players and support staff from contracting Covid-19.
This will see about 100 players and supporting staff getting tested for Covid-19 before they check into the strictly controlled accommodation facilities.
The bubble will cover the teams’ accommodation, practice, match venues and transport costs.
All those in the bubble will not be permitted to have access to families, visitors, friends and relatives for the duration of the seclusion period.
Apart from being expected to strictly adhere to all Covid-19 protocols such as sanitisation and physical distancing, all individuals within the bubble will be monitored daily through temperature and symptom checks.
Meanwhile, the six players and a coach who tested positive to Covid-19 last month have all returned to duty following their recovery, thereby giving ZC a clean bill of health ahead of the start of the 2020/21 domestic season. — ZC/Senior Reporter
