By Ashley Dube
This new season of Zimbabwe's first-class cricket competition, the Logan Cup [2021/2022] has been a breath of fresh air with new faces coming onto the scene with splendid performances.
The following players have started the season on a blistering note, and are hoping to catch the eyes of selectors with
these performances.
1.
Tanunurwa
Makoni
21-year-old Tuskers opener have a made a magnificent start to the season scoring at an average of 63.8 amassing 255 runs in the process. His season highlight was his 129 off 166 balls against the Southern Rocks. His 83 run knock against the Rhinos was also one classy innings with some impressive stroke play.
2.
Clive
Madande
Sticking with the Matabeleland franchise wicket-keeper batsman Clive Madande is also having a decent start to the season with 96 runs at an average of 46 with a high score of 56. Madande has also shown great ability behind the stumps with four dismissals to his name.
3.
Brad
Evans
After lighting up the PRO 50 championship with a magnicfent 100 last season, bowling all-rounder is not looking back, starting the season with some impressive numbers with both bat and bowl. In the opening match up between Rhinos against his side the Alliance Health Eagles, he finished with 4-45. He then followed up with the bat where bludgeoned 66 runs. He seemingly has formed a lethal pace bowling trio with Richard Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga. However, injury have hampered his progress this season as Evans is out for 6-8 weeks due to a knee problem and is expected to be back in December.
4.
Tanaka
Chivanga
Also playing for the Alliance Health Eagles, Chivanga has been in around the Chevron side for couple of series but is yet to make is debut. Touted as one of the fastest seamers on the local scene. He dismantled the Rocks batting line up in the opening fixture with a great six wicket haul at under 2 and half runs an over.
Notable Mentions
PJ Moor has returned to the local scene and has moved to the Manicaland Mountaineers making it his 4th franchise he has represented for in the country.
Ben Compton who was rumoured to have signed for the Tuskers off season eventually signed for the Mountaineers who are under the tutelage of experienced gaffer Dave Houghton.
Mountaineers batting have been a huge let down so far this season, with “The Don” Donald Tiripano coming to the rescue a number of times with some vital knocks. He has been supported surprisingly by Wellington Masakadza with the pair building very solid partnerships so far this season.
Takudzwa Kaitano took huge strides in becoming the incumbent test opener for the Chevrons with his ever improving performances. His technique looks good as he is both on the strong on the pull shot and the drive. He looks nailed on to start for the Afghanistan test if it goes ahead.
Upcoming stars Wessly Madhevere has also started the season on a positive note, Wessly Madhevere has got his maiden century in red ball cricket whereas Milton Shumba has two fifties to his name.
Meanwhile the U-19 side is playing 50 over practise matches against the Franchise sides as preparation for next year’s world cup. Some good performances have come from the teenagers particularly Matt Welch, Steve Saul and Wolhuter.
The squad looks light on quality bowlers however and there is plenty of room for improvement in that department.
In a blow to Zimbabwe cricket former U-19 skipper Dion Myers
has put his international career on hold as he has enrolled at a university in
Southampton (United Kingdom).
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