The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S domestic first-class tournament — the Logan Cup — roars to life this weekend with The Mega Market Mountaineers seeking to put their campaign back on the rails when they face Eagles in a four-dayer at Mutare Sports Club.
The match, which is the second for the Manicaland and Mashonaland East cricket franchise in this revered competition, starts tomorrow (Saturday).
The Mountain Goats had a slow start to the competition when they allowed Rhinos to secure a 25-run victory in their opening Logan Cup match at Harare Sports Club a fortnight ago.
The defeat came after a superb innings of 89 from Tony Munyonga failed to complete a good Mega Market Mountaineers fight-back in an otherwise exciting finish to the encounter.
And Mega Market Mountaineers’ coach, Njabulo Ncube thinks the mood, the preparations, the environment as well as the determination to record impressive stats will see them through this time around.
The Mountaineers coach said: “The boys are looking forward to put up some fine performances. Our preparations have been good and the mood in the camp is exciting.
“It is unfortunate that we did not win the first game, but, however, there were a lot of positives from that outing and in our internal preparations of the next game. We have to back our processes and the rest will fall into place.”
Eagles come into the encounter against Mega Market Mountaineers while flying above the clouds after they bowled Rhinos out for 190 in their second innings and cantered home to an easy victory by nine wickets at Harare Sports Club in their previous round of fixtures, in which Mega Mountaineers was on a bye.
Rhinos began the final day of that Logan Cup match on 39 for two wickets in their second innings, having conceded a first-innings lead of 126.
The best they could hope for was a draw and more batting as in their first innings of 455 would achieve this easily.
However, only Remembrance Nyathi showed much resolve and a steady fall of wickets saw Rhinos slide slowly towards an avoidable defeat.
Elsewhere in the Logan Cup competition, Tuskers continue with their title defence mission against Rhinos at Old Hararians Sports Club.
From December 17-20, Rocks will entertain Mega Market Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club, with Eagles taking on Tuskers at Old Hararians Sports Club in the last fixtures before Christmas.
Logan Cup action will resume after the festive season break.
Meanwhile, Mutare-born cricketer, Marshford Shungu is part of the Zimbabwe Under-19 men’s cricket team currently on tour of India.
Shungu’s potential with the ball shone brightly when he managed career best figures of a five wickets haul in a tie against the Eagles during a local competition encounter.
It is from the that match that his pace bowling skills grew from strength to strength in the Mega Market Mountaineers franchise for the past five years with a string of brilliant performances that captivated those who follow the game.
Coach, Square Square described Shungu as a dedicated and hardworking player.
He said: “He is a testament that anyone through commitment and hard work can make it further in their cricketing career. Such a breakthrough is an example of how grassroot cricket structures have elevated the game of cricket. As a coach, I am proud of Shungu and excited for what the future holds for him.”
