Gavin Ewing still injured PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 30 October 2012 00:00
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Sports Reporter
Matabeleland Tuskers captain, Gavin Ewing, will have to wait a little longer to recover from a spine infection when his side host Mountaineers in a Logan Cup match at Queens Sports Club starting today. The top order batsman has been advised to rest and might only be able to come back in their second game next week.
“I want to start playing cricket as soon as possible but we cannot rush it since it is a medical condition,” said Ewing.
“It all depends on how I respond to treatment though my wish is to be able to get enough game time because I want to play for Zimbabwe again.”
Ewing has been out since the beginning of the season and, despite watching from the sidelines as his side got off to a slow start, he is still confident they will turn things around in defence of their title.
Tuskers have the won the title for two successive seasons, a feat no other franchise has managed to achieve.
The side has a good blend of experience in players such as Charles Coventry, who is set to keep wickets, Keith Dabengwa, seamer Chris Mpofu, Terrence Duffin, and youthful prospects like Brian Chari, all-rounder Keegan Meth and Njabulo Ncube.
They are also set to field their overseas players — Sean Ervine and Moeen Ali — who is joining them from Worcestershire.
But Tuskers are likely to be approaching the match with caution after losing both the Twenty20 and Pro-50 match to the same opponents earlier in the month. As defending champions we are obviously the team to beat. We have a big challenge to win the title three times in a row,” Ewing.
“If you look back to the last two seasons, our bowlers have won us the Logan Cup. We just hope that they continue their good work.
“The batters will also need to step up and take off some pressure from them.
“It’s unfortunate I might not be able to feature in this game, of course, unless there is great need (for that).
“But, as I have said, there is no need to rush it since we have a strong batting line-up.” Mashonaland Eagles host Southern Rocks at Harare Sports Club starting this morning.
Eagles’ coach, Stanley Timoni, said he is looking forward to a fruitful season following a promising start in the other two formats.
“These guys have been working hard and I am glad that some of our players who were injured are back to full fitness,” said Timoni.
“We have been winning matches and we need to maintain the position so that we secure our place in the semi-finals.
“But we have the Logan Cup matches coming and we need to be up for it.
“We are talking of three to four days of play here and, in the case of bowlers, someone should be prepared to bowl at something like 20 overs.
“So, it needs people to be mentally tough, physically fit and above all to be smart.” Mid West Rhinos have a bye and will only begin their quest next Tuesday against Southern Rocks away in Masvingo.
Fixtures
Eagles v Rocks at Harare (Harare Sports Club)Tuskers v Mountaineers (Queens Sports Club)
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