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Troubled cricketer Mark Vermuelen, released by Tuskers at the end of last season after disciplinary issues, has been signed for the new season by Mountaineers, according to the Daily News. The deal was confirmed by Mountaineers spokesman Godfrey Koti:

"He has his history, but he is a good man and a good player. We want to give him another chance. If you have noticed, we are more of a bowling side. A batsman of his calibre will add value to the team."

Even in light of Vermuelen's talent, you do have to wonder if this is his final chance. Hopefully he makes the most of it.
Daily News - Manicaland rescues bad boy Vermeulen

There was a press conference at HSC this morning for the official 'unveiling' of Alan Donald and Jason Gillespie as Rhinos and Mountaineers coaches respectively - obviously, I wasn't able to get there myself, but here are a few key quotes:

Reaction towards the appointment as a franchise head coach in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie (MidWest Rhinos)
“I was delighted to take the opportunity, it’s fantastic because the cricket in Zimbabwe is very much on the up and to be a part of it is very humbling. I have been telling the people in Australia that I’ve only been here for a few days and the atmosphere here on cricket and everything is really exciting and as a new coach it really exciting and something we can sink our teeth in. ”

Alan Donald (Mountaineers)
“I did not hesitate one inch and I agree with Jason [Gillespie], we were commentating in Dubai talking about the situation in Zimbabwe and the efforts being made to get cricket where it belongs. It has been a very good move for me and I did not hesitate to make the move.”

On their roles as coaches in Zimbabwe
Jason Gillespie
“Although my main role will be to focus on the Midwest Rhinos but as coaches we have a role to develop the game at all levels and if I can be a part of that in any small way I will certainly jump on that. Midwest Rhinos have a lot of young players and my role is to help them achieve their goals both as individuals and a collective group and if i can be a part of that and work at grass roots level then that will be a real bonus.”

What impression they have on fast bowlers in Zimbabwe
Alan Donald
“I’ve been watching the triangular between Zimbabwe, India and Sri Lanka and I’ve already been talking about a few guys. We will be bumping into a lot of guys along the way and we will certainly identify the talent that is around. There is no doubt that Zimbabwe is got what it takes to play at the highest level-test cricket.”

Notions on their assigned teams
Alan Donald
“I am coming into a team that has two out of three so no pressure at all. That is also the challenge after a dream season like that and you win two trophies, not only is the pressure for the coach but the team as well. I believe that I can maintain the attitude and intensity levels at the franchise for the guys to respond to the responsibility that lies this season and winning becomes a culture. For me one of things I need to do is to make a lot of the youngsters thinks like international cricketers or prepare like international cricketers and that is my aim to try and get that mentality straight up there.”

Jason Gillespie
“My focus is on the Rhinos and getting things in place, first and foremost we will be looking to enjoy our cricket and the number one focus is to be an entertaining side. We want people to walk away and say that we really play positive cricket and we were entertained today. That will be our focus and we are really excited about that.”
[Source: ZC]

A week is a long time in cricket, it seems - this time last week, Mountaineers were touting Australian Sean Clingeleffer as their new head coach (although they admitted at the time that negotiations had not yet been completed). Today, South African fast bowler Allan Donald has been unveiled as the man for the job, in his first appointment as head coach. It's a responsibility he's looking forward to taking on, in the hope that he'll be in the post long-term:

"I have always wanted to move away from being a bowling specialist and become more of a head coach, and this is exactly the sort of opportunity I've been looking for. Quite a few jobs I've applied for have asked for 'at least two or three years experience' as a head coach. It's the old chicken and egg story, how do you get the job without the experience, and how do you get the experience without a job! But now that's behind me and I can't wait to get started.

"We are still putting the finishing touches to the contract but I certainly want to do it for more than one year. I don't think you can prove too much in one season. And it's exciting to be part of Zimbabwe cricket's revival."

So the foreign influx continues, with some real talent now using the Zimbabwean franchises as a proving ground for coaching careers. If even some of the talent on offer rubs off on Zimbabwean players, then the future should be bright.
CricInfo - Allan Donald to coach Mountaineers

No doubt aiming to fill some holes after losing the services of Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Njabula Ncube, Mountaineers have turned to the English counties for three new signings. Derbyshire's Greg Smith returns after making a cameo appearance for the side in last season's Stanbic Twenty20, and is joined by Essex's Tony Palladino and Lancashire's Gareth Cross, according to the Manica Post. Mountaineers CEO Phil Senzani confirmed the appointments:

"Yes, I can confirm the acquisition of the three players who were based in the UK. They are experienced players whom we hope will play a crucial role in enhancing our dominance on the local scene. We also want to take this opportunity to welcome back those players who were part of the franchise last season and are continuing from where they left. As Mountaineers, we are geared to cement our dominance in franchise cricket. We will also go out of our way to ensure that we identify and develop talent from grassroots level."

The Mutare-based side are also aiming to sign Australian Sean Clingeleffer as head coach, with Steve Mangongo stepping down to deputy to allow him to fulfil his duties as national 'A' coach - although Senzani confirmed that negotiations with Clingeleffer had not yet been completed.

Finally, Tinashe Panyangara will be making a return to Zimbabwean cricket for the side, after playing at club level in England in recent years.
Manica Post - Foreign quartet joins Mountaineers

An hour before lunch, Mountaineers appeared to be certain winners of the Faithwear-Met Bank Trophy final after bowling Mid West Rhinos out for 144. At the interval, Mid West appeared certain winners after taking six Mountaineers wickets for only 66 runs. Yet, after all, in this incredible final where the balance swung so strongly from one side to another, it was Mountaineers after all who took the trophy. Helped by some strange bowling changes, the two bowling all-rounders Prosper Utseya and Shingi Masakadza shared a magnificent and totally unexpected unbroken partnership of 83 for the eighth wicket that took the home side home.

Mountaineers won the toss and decided to field, despite the apparently good batting conditions: the weather was hot and sunny, while the pitch looked flat. The first few overs certainly suggested this would be a batsman's game: Vusi Sibanda drove the first ball through the covers for three, and a total of ten runs came off that opening over from Shingi Masakadza. But it did not last long; Sibanda, though looking in superb form, fatally moved across his stumps to aim a straight ball to leg and was lbw to Tendai Chitara for 19 off 23 balls; 33 for one.

Brendan Taylor made a cautious start, and then ran out his partner, Friday Kasteni (16), calling him unexpectedly for a quick run for an overthrow. Briefly the bat took over again, with Taylor pulling Shingi Masakadza for a four and six in quick succession; his new partner, Rikki Wessels, hit a big six off Njabulo Ncube, only to swat a catch to cover in the same over. Then came another run out, with Taylor again culpable, calling Malcolm Waller for a risky single to the vacant slips while disregarding the speed of Tatenda Taibu. After these running misadventures, Taylor owed it to his team to play a major innings - but he then holed out on the midwicket boundary off the bowling of Ncube, and Mid West were 69 for five in the 15th over, after just 80 minutes' play. All their specialist batsmen had gone and the match looked as good as over.

Graeme Cremer and Bothwell Chapungu now got their heads down and put on a useful partnership in a seemingly hopeless cause. Chapungu played some good aggressive strokes, with wise discrimination, and made 27 off 36 balls before edging a catch to the keeper off Utseya. He was destined to be the top scorer of the innings. Cremer, in an hour, scored a determined 19 before getting a thick outside edge to a drive and lobbing an easy catch into the covers. Taurai Muzarabani, 19 not out, was the only other batsman to make a significant contribution, and the innings closed for a mere 144 in less than 36 overs.

Mountaineers had done well in the field, though without quite touching their best, helped by a poor display from the Mid West top order and poor running. The Mid West coach, Andy Waller, did not feel it was big-match nerves; "just poor cricket," he said. Utseya was the best of the Mountaineers bowlers, taking three for 24 with his nagging accuracy and just letting the batsmen get themselves out under the pressure. It looked like a dismally one-sided final and a formality for the home team.

Unfortunately for Mountaineers, their batsmen seemed to think the same thing. It was the sort of match where, if Mid West had made 100 more runs, Mountaineers would probably have knuckled down and got them. But the batting of their top order suggested they were over-confident and eager to finish the match as soon as possible. Mid West for their part came out fighting.

They opened the bowling with the leg-spinner Cremer opposite Ed Rainsford, their two best bowlers. Tinotenda Mawoyo immediately lofted Cremer for two leg-side fours, both only yards short of six, but the captain and bowler did not panic. Cremer adjusted, while Mawoyo failed to do so. He lived dangerously, dropped off a low chance at backward point on 16, and then slicing a catch into the covers off Rainsford for 21. His partner Stuart Matsikenyeri swatted a ball from Cremer straight to midwicket, and two wickets had fallen at 29.

Taibu also showed too little discrimination in his strokeplay, and was bowled for 12, having a big swing at a ball from Cremer. At the other end Rainsford had a good battle with Hamilton Masakadza, which ended in victory for the bowler; Masakadza skied a catch to mid-on for 11. This was the big wicket, and at this point the balance of the match swung from the home side to the visitors. The score was 56 for four.

Incredibly, Mountaineers continued the same senseless tactics that had got them into trouble in the first place. Timycen Maruma hit Rainsford for two fours; two balls later he was yorked for 9, and the score was 64 for five, in only the eleventh over. Rainsford and Cremer continued to bowl, Mid West knowing they now held the whip hand; Mountaineers still continued their march of the lemmings. Steven Nyamuzinga gave a low chance to second slip off Rainsford before slicing a catch to backward point, still without scoring, and now lunch was taken at 66 for six. Fine bowling and suicidal batting had turned the match on its head.

After lunch Rainsford and Cremer, who had still only bowled six overs each, finished their allotted ten, for one more wicket, Natsai Mushangwe going lbw to Cremer for one, departing with obvious dissent. Then Utseya and Shingi Masakadza showed that Mountaineers had not altogether given up hope and shared a partnership of great determination. Both players have first-class centuries to their credit, so Mid West knew that the match was not theirs yet. Muzarabani and Mike Chinouya took over the attack and bowled with purpose, but were resisted with great determination. A four through the covers by Masakadza off Muzarabani brought up the 100 in the 27th over.

This was now the best cricket in the match, with both teams fully concentrated and fighting for the final supremacy that would win the match and the trophy. Masakadza grew in confidence, some fine drives taking him past Chapangu's 27 to become the highest scorer of the match. 120 was posted in the 32nd over, and slowly Mountaineers regained hope. One or two false strokes almost resulted in catches, but the batsmen survived. Perhaps Sibanda erred in removing Muzarabani and Chinouya too soon, as the other bowlers tried made no impression, and even Wessels was called upon to turn his arm over, a quixotic decision. The match was clearly slipping away from Mid West again.

With eight runs needed for victory, Muzarabani was finally brought back. But it was not a good over and five came from it - four in singles and a no-ball. In the next over Mountaineers seized their incredible victory, as Masakadza lofted a ball from Waller high over mid-on for six. With the help and guidance of the national captain, who was unbeaten on 30, with his 41 he had dragged back for his team the victory and the trophy they had so nearly thrown away. They were wildly acclaimed by an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred that had swollen during the day.

Full scorecard & photos below the cut.
Rhinos 144 (35.5/50 overs; Chapungu 27, Utseya 3/24), Mountaineers 149/7 (37.5/50 overs; S Masakadza 41*, Rainsford 4/48). Mountaineers win by 3 wickets.

Reigning Stanbic T20 champions Mountaineers cruised easily into the finals of the Faithwear-Metbank one-day competition after sealing a seven wicket semi final victory against Southern Rocks at Mutare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Mountaineers captain Hamilton Masakadza won the toss and sent the Masvingo based Rocks to bat. Rocks had a bad day in the crease as wickets started falling as early as the fifth over. Razzar Butt and Chamunorwa Chibhabha opened the batting and managed to score seven and four runs respectively. Eric Chauluka was the next man but did change the situation as he picked up eight runs before falling victim to Shingirai Masakadza.

Veteran Steve Tikolo was the only Rocks batsman to score above thirty managing a total of 37 runs before providing Tatenda Taibu with a simple catch behind the stumps off the bowling of national team skipper Prosper Utseya. The rest of the team added a total of 57 runs on the board bringing the troubled Rocks to a grand total of 134 all out.

The younger of the Masakadza brothers, Shingi, was the pick of the bowlers for Mountaineers as he posted figures of three wickets for 20 runs in six overs. He was also named man of the match, with an economy rate of 3.33 conceding two no-balls in his spell. Prosper Utseya who also had a fantastic game picked up two wickets after conceding eight runs in two overs. Tymcen Maruma claimed two wickets for 26 runs while teenage sensation Tendai Chatara walked away with one wicket equaling his captains wicket-taking in this match.

Tinotenda Mawoyo and Stuart Matsikenyeri opened the proceedings for the hosts with a 53 run partnership off 65 balls. Matsikenyeri was the first to heard back to the pavilion for a well orchestrated 36 runs after facing 48 balls proving five fours and one six. H. Masakadza joined Mawoyo and together they made a 54 run partnership before Mawoyo attempted to go for the maximum and was caught and bowled by Hillary Matanga for 40 runs. Masakadza who cleared the boundary for six five times and for four two times made 44 runs off 28 balls before being caught by Alistair Maregwede at cow corner. Nyamuzinga wrapped up the game with a square cut that went all the way for four off Butt's bowling.

Off spinner Hillary Matanga was the pick of the bowlers for the Rocks as he picked up two wickets for 333 runs in five overs. Butt claimed one wicket for five runs in five balls, ending Rocks campaign for the finals.

Full scorecard below the cut. Mountaineers will host Midwest Rhinos in what will be a stampeding final at Mutare Sports Club this Saturday.
Rocks 131 (39.5 overs; Tikolo 37, S Masakadza 3/20), Mountaineers 134/3 (19.5 overs; H Masakadza 44, Matanga 2/33). Mountaineers win by 7 wickets.
[Source: ZC]

The Logan Cup season finished in bitter disappointment for Mountaineers, who had anticipated a place in the final, only to be pipped at the post by Midwest Rhinos, who beat them by eight wickets in three days at Mutare Sports Club. Struggling after two days, Mountaineers had no great heroics in their second innings and, despite early jitters, Rhinos got home mainly on the back of a devastating innings of 62 not out from Brendan Taylor.

Mountaineers resumed their second innings on 62 for three wickets, still 64 runs behind the Rhinos innings total. Things entered badly from the start, as Stuart Matsikenyeri (17) was dismissed lbw to Ed Rainsford without any addition to the score. Hamilton Masakadza took his responsibilities so seriously that he took 49 balls and 65 minutes to get off the mark, before he finally forced a ball through the covers for four. Soon after that he lost Timycen Maruma, who played on to Rainsford, playing back, for 4; Mountaineers were now 75 for five and looked to be tumbling headlong towards an early defeat.

They should have been worse off still, as Prosper Utseya was dropped off a sharp chance to second slip before he had scored, the ball travelling for four. Rhinos paid quite heavily for this error, as the pair almost doubled the total while in partnership, putting on 62 runs together. The deficit was erased just before lunch, so Mountaineers went in for the break just six runs ahead and with a little more hope of making a fight of it.

The afternoon session all but extinguished their hopes. Neither batsman lasted long after lunch. Utseya was the first to go, caught in the gully off Rainsford for 32, but the celebrations really took off with the fall of Masakadza. He had batted with the utmost restraint for 37 off 135 balls in just over three hours, but he fell another victim to Rainsford, pushing at a ball moving away outside off stump to give the wicketkeeper a straight-forward catch. Mountaineers had slumped to 144/7 and defeat seemed imminent.

But now was the time for real defiance. Shingi Masakadza and Natsai Mushangwe laid into the bowling with a vengeance, sharing the highest partnership of the innings as they hammered 73 together. Again, catches went down, until Masakadza finally sliced a low catch to third man to depart for 27. Mushangwe, the leading partner, raced to 53 off 49 balls, but was then adjudged lbw next ball; Taurai Muzarabani dismissed them both. The last wicket fell for 230, leaving Rhinos with 105 runs to win. Rainsford was the best bowler, taking four vital wickets for 46 and showing great determination and skill.

Rhinos have shown some fragile batting this season, so the target was not a foregone conclusion; the pitch was taking a bit of spin, and no respectable side should have been bowled out chasing that target unless they choked. Mountaineers went on the attack from the start, using Utseya as their second bowler with close fielders, and the openers seemed rendered strokeless. Bothwell Chapungu, nonplussed by a spinner from Utseya, was clean bowled for 2, but Brendan Taylor was taking no nonsense. He swung successive balls from Utseya over the pavilion for six, and continued to assault the spinner, despite losing Friday Kasteni, lbw padding up to Shingi Masakadza for 4.

Vusi Sibanda was almost a sleeping partner as Taylor laid into the bowlers, racing to his fifty off 34 balls. His off-side drives and leg-side flicks and pulls were particularly impressive. It was an off-driven four by Sibanda, followed by four byes from a wild delivery down the leg side, that finally took Rhinos to a well-earned victory and a place in next week's Logan Cup final against Mashonaland Eagles. Taylor finished unbeaten on 62 (42 balls) and Sibanda 23.
Mountaineers 212 (56.3 overs; Maruma 59, Rainsford 3/41) & 230 (69.3 overs; Mushangwe 53, Rainsford 4/46), Rhinos 338 (104.2 overs; Waller 117, Chitara 5/42) & 106/2 (17.4 overs; Taylor 62*, Utseya 1/28). Rhinos win by 8 wickets.

These matches took place a while back, so I'm not going to dig into the details, but the scorecards are only becoming available now. Posting what I have for the record - full scorecard below the cut.
Mountaineers 155 (38.2 overs; Mushangwe 66, Munyede 3/7) & 106 (33.1 overs; Maparura 39, Mutombodzi 6/32), Eagles 136 (42.2 overs; Mwakayeni 39, Mushangwe 6/32) & 126/4 (24.2 overs; Mwakayeni 65, Mushangwe 2/46). Eagles 'B' win by 6 wickets.

These matches took place a while back, so I'm not going to dig into the details, but the scorecards are only becoming available now. Posting what I have for the record - full scorecard below the cut.
Tuskers 183 (39.4 overs; Ngulube 40, Bukutu 4/45) & 206/5 decl (32 overs; Vermeulen 121, Sanyika 2/59), Mountaineers 106 (50.1 overs; Kasuza 40, Mamhiyo 4/22) & 21/2 (4.1 overs; Kasuza 7, Mamhiyo 1/8). Match Drawn.

These matches took place a while back, so I'm not going to dig into the details, but the scorecards are only becoming available now. Posting what I have for the record - full scorecard below the cut.
Mountaineers 304/8 decl (75 overs; Ncube 99, Mushayi 3/41), Rocks 146/0 (40 overs; Maunze 68*, Kondo 67*). Match Drawn.