The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE commencement of the already interrupted country’s domestic first class cricket season is expected to finally get underway today with two Logan Cup four-day contests lined up for Bulawayo and Mutare.
ZC public relations and communications manager Darling Majonga said the matches will start today, a week late than they were supposed to.
Majonga pointed out that he has been given an assurance that the two matches will go ahead.
“I can confirm the Logan Cup is on this Sunday, Tuskers playing Rhinos at Queens and Mountaineers versus Eagles in Mutare,’’ said Majonga.
Even though he did not elaborate on the challenges faced which made them cancel the matches in the first place, those familiar with goings on at ZC said a delay in the arrival of funds coming from the United Arab Emirates headquartered International Cricket Council led to the decision to postpone the start of the domestic first class season.
“The delay in the transfer of money from the ICC to ZC caused the delay in the start of the domestic cricket season but the matches will start in the next coming days,’’ said the source.
After months of speculation, ZC two weeks ago released the domestic first class fixtures for this season. In the opening matches, Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers clash with Midlands Rhinos at Queens Sports Club while Mountaineers take on Harare Metropolitan Eagles at Mutare Sports Club.
The 2016/17 season will run from this month until August next year as ZC believe that the country has a conducive weather which allows for the game to be played even in winter.
ZC have done away with the franchise system which proved to be costly and failed to attract sponsorship. The local cricket governing body is reeling from an accumulative debt that is said to be just below $20 million which has significantly affected its ability to carry out its mandate.
— @Mdawini_29
