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Hot on the tail of Allan Donald heading to Mountaineers comes the news that fellow South African Andrew Hall has been signed as head coach of Mashonaland Eagles. According to the Daily News, Eagles CEO Hugo Ribatika has confirmed that Hall will be unveiled as coach ahead of the start of the new domestic season. Hall will be backed up by Grant Flower, who has been assigned by ZC as Eagles' assistant coach.

I'm running out of things to say about the appointments that are being made at the moment, to be honest. Interesting times indeed...
Daily News - Hall appointed Mash Eagles coach

The Herald carries news this morning of the new grassroots development programme being launched by the Mashonalad Eagles, covering all agegroups from Colts (5+) to U19 level. The eventual aim of the project, according to Eagles CEO Hugo Ribatika, is to establish an academy that would serve as a conveyor belt churning out talented players to both the franchise and the national teams:

"We started off with 50 students because we had not gone all out to create awareness since we first wanted to put structures in place before going full scale. Enrolment, however, is still on-going. The objective primarily is to create a sustainable feeder system for both the men and the women’s teams. In order for us to be able to achieve that goal, proper development structures need to be put in place.

"The reason why we came up with this programme is threefold. Firstly we do not feel kids play sufficient cricket in their respective schools. Secondly not all children who have the passion for cricket have the facilities in their schools and lastly it’s part of our efforts to preach the gospel of cricket to all stakeholders.

"Cricket is becoming very competitive these days and we have a development sub-committee to ensure that Eagles will always compete at the top. One of the board’s mandate is grassroots development and in line with our theme our primary goal is for every kid in the franchise to love cricket. We believe in sustainability and in building a firm foundation for the future."

Grassroots was one area of cricket that suffered from real neglect during the 'dark years'. If you want a decent pool of players to select your national side from, you need to have a constant stream of players coming through the system to choose from, so full marks to Eagles for making this effort.
The Herald - Mash Eagles launch brooding programme

In a thrilling Faithwear semi-final at Kwekwe Sports Club, Mid West Rhinos in some measure atoned for their failure to win the Logan Cup final the previous weekend by scraping home by two wickets against the same opposition, Mashonaland Eagles. They were the better side all round on the day, but so nearly threw away the match at the death due to two stupid run-outs and self-doubt. Despite fine batting from Vusi Sibanda and Rikki Wessels, it took the ninth-wicket pair of Ed Rainsford, who had again bowled superbly, and Simon Mugava to cobble together the last 14 runs to ensure they face Mountaineers in Mutare on Saturday for the one-day competition final.

Mid West won the toss and put Mashonaland in to bat on what appeared to be a flat pitch. There was a good crowd from the start, most of it comprising several hundred schoolchildren, most of them well-behaved and adding to the atmosphere with their enthusiastic chanting and dancing. The start was not promising for Mid West, as they fumbled a run-out in the first over as the batsmen dithered over their opening run, and then Cephas Zhuwawo survived a low chance to third man with the score at 10.

However, there was a little early movement for the bowlers, and Rainsford and Taurai Muzarabani, bowling superbly, had the batsmen very wary, if rarely in real trouble. The first boundary did not come until the eighth over, when Zhuwawo slogged a ball from Muzarabani for six over long on. In the same bowler's following over he pulled a big six over square leg, but off the very next ball edged a low catch to first slip. He made 17 and Mashonaland were 30 for one. His opening partner, Prince Masvaure, did not survive him long, caught at mid-off for 13. Ryan Butterworth was superbly caught low at short extra cover when Mike Chinouya came on to bowl, and Mashonaland were suddenly 40 for three.

Mid West continued the pressure, fine bowling backed by tight fielding. Chinouya took another two wickets, having Forster Mutizwa caught off a slice to third man for 12 and Greg Lamb caught driving to mid-off for five; he was rested after bowling five overs for 20 runs and three wickets, and surprisingly was not called on again. Graeme Cremer was now bowling superbly at the other end, and he it was who took out the big fish. Elton Chigumbura, who had so often steadied his team throughout the season when needed, tried to sweep him, only to lob a catch to the keeper. Mashonaland were now in real trouble at 77 for six in the 24th over. Chigumbura later said that his top order failed to read the pitch successfully: it was slow and did not favour driving.

Now, though, the bowling lost some of its intensity, while the batsmen learned better what game plan to use on it. Regis Chakabva stepped in where his seniors failed and hit a superb 62 off 52 balls (2 fours and 3 sixes), supported by Mark Mbofana with 23, and the pair nearly doubled the score. Their partnership ended in a run-out, Mbofana being the victim, and Chakabva quickly followed, perhaps unsettled by it. From 153 for eight, though, Trevor Garwe (19) and Raymond Price (34 not out) forged an invaluable partnership of 44, with Price in particular showing some innovative strokes, notably the reverse sweep, which unsettled the bowlers. This enabled Mashonaland to save face with a final total of 221 for nine. Rainsford, with only 29 conceded off ten overs, was most unlucky not to take a wicket; he is on present form probably the best seamer in the country at present. There were two wickets for Muzarabani, expensive at the end - the neglected Chinouya in retrospect might have been a better choice for the death overs - and Cremer.

Mid West, in their push for the final, which will take place in Mutare on Saturday, had the worst of starts when Innocent Chikunya, without a run on the board, slashed at the fourth ball of the innings, well outside the off stump from Chigumbura, and was easily taken by the keeper. They nearly lost Brendan Taylor at 12 from a hard chance to mid-on, but this was one of several misfields by Mashonaland. Taylor showed, apparently, great confidence right from the start, but played some risky strokes; however, this may just have been an excess of adrenalin, as he settled down to play more judiciously. Sibanda was less flamboyant but sounder, showing good shot selection.

Price came on to bowl a tight leg-stump line and restrict the scoring, and soon captured the wicket of Taylor, who holed out at deepish extra cover. He made 31 from 34 balls and the score was 78 for two in the 14th over. The hundred came up in the 19th, at which point Wessels was missed off the simplest of chances at mid-on. It now looked as if this pair was well settled, but disaster came as a mix-up between the batsmen led to Sibanda being run out for 56 off 76 balls. Next ball Malcolm Waller was caught at slip, Butterworth being the bowler, and the balance of the match was suddenly changed, Mid West now stuttering at 117 for four in the 24th over.

Wessels, who refused to sacrifice himself for his captain, who was in such fine form, now had a moral responsibility to see his side through to victory. He and Cremer steadied the innings and built a sound partnership together. They added 72 together before, ironically, more poor running and another run-out saw the departure of Cremer for a valuable 22, just as Mid West were looking well set for victory. Wessels himself soon followed for 70, the leg-spinner Tino Mutombodzi taking a sharp return catch, and once again Mid West were in danger at 199 for six, 23 more needed with seven overs left and an unreliable tail to bat.

Friday Kasteni, the left-hander in such poor form recently, was the one recognized batsman left. A sharp pull for four off Chigumbura, returning for the death, showed he was not without confidence - but then the very next ball he tried a similar stroke to the wrong ball and popped up a simple catch to midwicket. This was trouble indeed now, with the two opening bowlers Rainsford and Muzarabani together. The ground erupted when Muzarabani swept Mutombodzi for a risky four, only for him to fall to a smart stumping next ball, with 14 still needed. But, with more than five overs left, at least they were not under pressure from the run rate.

It now looked as if the Mashonaland juggernaut would do it again as the novice Mugava joined Rainsford, talented but very inconsistent with the bat. Surprisingly, though, it was an over from Chigumbura, usually so reliable in a crisis, that gave Mid West their burst to victory. It included a high leg-side wide that went through to the boundary and some loose deliveries that went for runs and relieved the pressure. Finally a mishit by Rainsford brought three runs to the vacant fine-leg position off Mutombodzi, and Mid West were through to the final by the skin of their teeth - or by the thick inside edge of the bat. Full scorecard below the cut.
Eagles 221/9 (50 overs; Chakabva 62, Chinouya 3/20), Rhinos 222/8 (46.3 overs; Wessels 70, Chigumbura 2/42). Rhinos win by 2 wickets.
[Source: ZC]

After looking like a dull draw on the third and fourth day of this five-day final, the Logan Cup final unexpectedly sprang to life on the final day, as Midwest Rhinos came close to pulling off what would have been an incredible victory.

The miracle did not quite happen, but the day belonged to the underdogs from start to finish. Firstly superb batting by Rikki Wessels and Graeme Cremer enabled them to declare their second innings closed, and then, due to good bowling and fielding and some very poor batting by the Mashonaland Eagles top order, they broke through and had the newly crowned champions struggling to save the match to the very end. In the end only the fighting spirit and skill of Forster Mutizwa and Mark Mbofana saw them through to safety at 67 for six wickets - and the Logan Cup trophy.

Overnight Mid West were 174 for five; they had not looked like making a bid for victory on the previous day and now they were in real danger of defeat, without much batting left. But Wessels was still there, and was joined by Cremer. Wessels was nearly caught off an aerial cut early on, the ball just evading the fielder, but perhaps he too was afraid of his team subsiding, as he batted more positively this morning and went to his fifty off 114 balls. Cremer was at first concerned solely with defence, and it took him a full hour and a half to reach double figures, which came with a pull for four off Douglas Hondo; he celebrated with a straight drive for another boundary next ball. The pair added 92 during the morning session, and no wicket fell.

The pair continued in good style after lunch, with Wessels reverse-sweeping Raymond Price for three off the second ball after lunch. Cremer reached his fifty off 118 balls, and this was closely followed by Wessels' century off 176; he celebrated with a straight six off Greg Lamb. Shortly afterwards, knowing a declaration was imminent, Cremer gave his wicket away, stumped off Price, for 56, and the players left the field. The total was 335 for six wickets declared, and the pair had added an invaluable 161. Wessels was unbeaten with 108 and Price finished with one wicket for 43 off 33.3 overs, 17 of them maidens.

Perhaps the problem with Mashonaland was that they didn't actually need to win this match to secure the Logan Cup, having topped the log, and so their policy was one of "We'll see how it goes before trying for victory." They needed 249 to win off a minimum of 44 overs, and they wanted to take no risk of losing the match. Perhaps this double-mindedness distracted them. Once again their opening partnership failed, both openers falling for 7 with the total at 18, and both caught at second slip, Prince Masvaure off Taurai Muzarabani and Ishmael Senzere off Cremer. Moments later Ryan Butterworth (1) mistimed a pull to midwicket, Mid West suddenly glimpsed victory, and tea was taken at 21 for three.

One would have expected the powerful, experienced Mashonaland side to take the situation calmly, play soundly and make sure of the draw on a good pitch, especially with the presence at the crease of their captain Elton Chigumbura, whose calm mature batting had always saved the situation for his side earlier in the season when the match was in the balance. Chigumbura got off the mark with a pull for six of Muzarabani, and then went for a big hit off Cremer, only to sky the ball to mid-off and depart for 10. When Regis Chakabva was lbw to the googly later in the same over, Mashonaland were 36 for five in the thirteenth over and the alarm bells were really ringing now.

Still in was Forster Mutizwa, though not looking very secure, and Greg Lamb, with a groin injury, had yet to bat. If there was to be a result, only Midwest could win now. Could Mashonaland survive their unexpected crisis? Ed Rainsford replaced Muzarabani, but he could not repeat his magic of the previous day, perhaps trying to bowl too fast and pitching too short. Still, Mutizwa nearly pulled a catch to mid-on, but then the batsmen settled in and looked increasingly solid, although still having the occasional close call. Surprisingly, Mid West accepted a draw with six overs still to be bowled; having done so much in one day, they did not pursue it right to the end. Cremer finished with three for 20 off 17 overs. Mutizwa faced 102 balls for his 18, Mbofana 84 for his 8 runs, and both were undefeated, having spent 99 precious minutes together. At the last ditch, they saved the Logan Cup for Mashonaland. Photos and full scorecard below the cut.
Rhinos 364 (118.2 overs; Taylor 131, Masvaure 3/49) & 335/6 decl (112.3 overs; Wessels 108*, Butterworth 2/26), Eagles 451 (168.1 overs; Lamb 159, Rainsford 6/66) & 67/5 (40 overs; Mutizwa 18*, Cremer 3/20). Match drawn.
[Source: ZC. All photographs in this article ©ZC.]

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.
Rhinos 141 (52 overs; Nyathi 36, Munyede 4/23) & 28/2 (14 overs; Mutyambizi 10, Mutombodzi 1/7), Eagles 198 (66 overs; Mutombodzi 58, Topotsa 3/19). 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 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 158 (41.1. overs; Chari 40, Mbofana 3/13) & 292/5 decl (50.2 overs; Vermeulen 137, Mwenda 1/28), Eagles 62 (20.5 overe; Zinyama 22, Mamhiyo 5/34) & 220 (82.2 overs; Mwakayeni 57, Mankunzini 3/40). Tuskers 'B' win by 168 runs.

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.
Eagles 285/8 decl (75 overs; Tichana 121, Macharaga 2/41), Rocks 155 (54 overs; Moyo 53, Shereni 4/14). Match Drawn.

The Sunday Mail confirms that Douglas Hondo has been installed as player / coach of the Mashonaland Eagles following the early departure of Chris Silverwood. This puts to rest speculation that former national coach Walter Chawaguta would get the nod. Hondo takes on the post in a 'caretaker' role, as Silverwood is expected to return for the 2010/11 domestic season once his English county duties are out of the way, as confirmed by Eagles CEO Hugo Ribatika:

"We currently have a four-year contract with Chris Silverwood, which both parties are committed to honouring. That said, he has since been offered a coaching job by his former county side, Sussex, which he will lead during our off-season and later return when we begin ours later in August. In the meantime, he will continue to juggle between the two jobs. The experience and exposure he gets is going to benefit us. In the meantime, Hondo will take charge of the team for the remaining fixtures, which include the Logan Cup finals and one-day semi-finals."

Hondo takes charge of the side just in time for their appearance in the Logan Cup final.
Sunday Mail - Hondo takes charge

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.
Rhinos 201/9 decl (67 overs; Mahunge 72, Tichana 5/54) & 152/6 (56 overs; Mahunga 76, Tichana 3/60), Eagles 243/8 decl (74 overs; Chinjoka 69, Madziya 2/38). Match Drawn.