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Tuskers seek return to winning ways

Sport
FOLLOWING the back-to-back defeat to Mashonaland Eagles in Harare this week, Matabeleland Tuskers will be hoping for a return to winning ways when they take on MidWest Rhinos at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo this weekend.

FOLLOWING the back-to-back defeat to Mashonaland Eagles in Harare this week, Matabeleland Tuskers will be hoping for a return to winning ways when they take on MidWest Rhinos at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo this weekend.

REPORT BY DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER

The two teams face off in a 50-over one-dayer today before clashing in a Twenty20 (T20) encounter at the same venue tomorrow.

Tuskers, who have won the last two editions of the four-day Logan Cup first-class competition  – have struggled in limited overs matches, managing a single victory from six matches.

The lone victory came in a 50-overs match against Southern Rocks and they remain winless in the T20 format, an unflattering record for a team that boasts quality batsmen such as Charles Coventry, Sean Williams, Sean Ervine and his younger brother Craig.

Tuskers, who are under the guidance of assistant coach Wayne James in the absence of Heath Streak, also possess one of the most lethal bowling attacks on the domestic scene with quality arsenal in the likes of Chris Mpofu, Glen Querl, Keegan Meth and Njabulo Ncube.

They come up against a Grant Flower-coached Rhinos side that is on a high and currently setting the pace in the 50-overs format with an unblemished record of three wins from three matches.

Rhinos are this season hoping to shed their nearly men tag having come close to capturing their first silverware in the last couple of seasons.

The Rhinos’ bowling attack early this week destroyed the star-studded Mountaineers bowling attack, dismissing them for just 66 runs to set up a crushing eight wicket win in the 50-overs match.

Meanwhile, Southern Rocks, who had a bye during the mid-week matches return to action with tough away matches against Mountaineers at Mutare Sports Club starting today.

Rocks, who have been branded the domestic game’s whipping boys, will be eager to show some progress under new head coach Dave Houghton.

The last time they were in action, the Masvingo-based franchise shocked visiting Matabeleland Tuskers in the T20 encounter for their first win of the season.