The defending champions of the Stanbic Bank Twenty20 competition, Mountaineers will face Mid West Rhinos in their opening match of this years edition of the showpiece, which roared into life at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Rhinos will be playing their second match after dating Rocks yesterday at the capitals biggest cricket ground that was recently given a face-lift to seat up to 13 000 spectators from the 7 500 people that it could previously only accommodate.(Pictured: Mountaineers coach Ina Donald)
Rhinos captain, Vusi Sibanda, understands the pressure that comes with playing against such a big name, Mountaineers, who have dominated domestic competitions in recent years. But he realises the pressure is not just on his side.
There will certainly be pressure but the pressure is not just on us but everyone else. Since it is going to be our second match we hope to have picked up the pace and give it our best, said Sibanda.
The pressure all franchises are going to experience in this T20 series matches, in the next six days will be to make a transition from the longer version of the game the Castle Logan Cup- to the limited overs series.
It is quite a challenge really, said Tuskers head coach, Dave Houghton. I get to spend six months training the boys for the Logan Cup and again come the Twenty 20 matches, so the challenge is to get them ready for all competitions.
Tuskers are currently topping the log table for the Logan Cup, which is being played over four days. The competition has given way for the T20 competition and it will resume on November 25 as Tuskers play Rhinos in Bulawayo while Mountaineers hosts Rocks in Mutare.
The ongoing Stanbic Bank T20 competition is a potential thriller as experienced batsmen such as Grant Flower who has not much of experience in the T20 series than he has at One Day Internationals and Brian Lara who has hardly any experience in this game will be given a test on the crease. Ryan Sidebottom, Mountaineers captain Sean Ervine, all-rounder Elton Chigumbura and Rhinos captain, Sibanda will be showing off what they are made of.
In another potentially exciting match, Eagles face Rocks in both sides second match of the showpiece at the same venue.
The admission fee is $US2 while school children and kids will watch the games for free.
Post published in: Football