Mountaineers out to maintain record

Mountaineers, who currently lead the five-team Faithwear Metbank One Day series log table, have proved a force to reckon with by winning all the three matches they have played so far.

Mangongo, who is also the Zimbabwe A-side mentor, attributes his troops good run to hard work and commitment.

We have been together as a team for almost three years now, we have grown and developed as a team and everyone has been sure to execute their role with a lot of commitment, he said last week.

We have senior players like Hamilton (Masakadza) and Stuart (Matsikenyeri) who have strengthened our batting line up. They have given us a good start to our matches with big performances.

Masakadza has so far notched two of the highest scores in the 2009/2010 domestic competition. The outstanding batsman smashed 188 runs against Mashonaland Eagles and 178 against Matabeleland Tuskers.

But unlike the other four teams Tuskers, Rocks, Eagles and Rhinos the heavyweights from the countrys eastern city of Mutare boast a balanced side that dominates the game not only with the bat, but also with the ball.

Mountaineers bowling attack has shone across the countrys five first-class cricket venues.

Our spin attack led by (Prosper) Utseya has also done well. Tymcen Maruma has claimed the highest number of wickets so far and Natsai Mushangwe (18) has shown a lot of promise. We believe in developing young talent, something I do not think other sides have taken focus on. That has helped us maintain a consistent performance all these years, Mangongo said.

Despite emerging a difficult side to beat in almost every competition on the domestic scene, Mountaineers have always found the going tough against Harare-based Mashonaland Eagles.

Mangongo however told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that they are not worried about what happens in their opponents camp.

We have mostly struggled against Elton Chigumbura each time we face Eagles, but since that has appeared to be like a one-man effort we have managed to beat them. I believe in the franchise system and I think all the sides have been competitive. We have pulled through tough times because we always set targets for ourselves, we try to compete against ourselves and not try to be reactive but proactive, he said.