Sunday News
Senior Sports Reporter
14 March 2010
Matabeleland Tuskers cricket franchise captain Gavin Ewing has apologised to the fans for his team’s poor display this season.
Speaking at the Matabeleland Tuskers franchise management committee chairman, Delma Lupepe’s cocktail, held at the Tuskers chairman’s enclosure at Queens Sports Club last Friday, Ewing acknowledged that his team did not play well and promised better things next season.
“I would like to apologise to all our fans for letting them down. We did not play well this season but we hope to come back stronger next season,†said Ewing. Despite having some of the best cricketers in the country, the Robin Brown coached Matabeleland Tuskers had a dismal season, finishing at the bottom of the log in the Faithwear/Metropolitan Bank one-day competition with only one win. They came out fourth in the Stanbic Bank Twenty20 series where they lost to the Desert Vipers in the third place play off. They are at second from bottom in the Logan Cup four-day competition with one match remaining away to Masvingo based Southern Rocks.
Minister of Education, Sports and Culture David Coltart presented prizes to schools and players, which excelled in the Matabeleland Tuskers champions of champions schools cricket tournament held last year.
Isaac Mandisodza of Mzilikazi High School walked away with Player of the Tournament award in the secondary schools category while Kevin Dube of Mbizo Primary School took the honours in the primary schools sections. The duo walked away with $25 each.
Mzilikazi got $250 for being secondary schools champions while Njube High School received $150 for the runners up spot. Mbizo took home $200 for winning the primary schools section while Gampu got $150 for being runners up. Merlin sponsored all the prize money.
Sports and Recreation Commission chairman Joseph James was one of the high profile figures at the function.
The cocktail gave the franchise management committee an opportunity to interact with the players.
All the Matabeleland Tuskers players attended the function save for top order batsman Charles Coventry and pace bowler Christopher Mpofu who are on national duty in the West Indies.