Westside takes on Takashinga 2

Fungayi Munyoro -Chingaira

MUTARE- Westside Cricket Club coach Square Square says his charges will be looking for nothing short of victory when they take on Takashinga Patriots 2 in a National Premier League (NPL) match today at Mutare Sports Club.

After a good start to the NPL, Mutare’s sole representatives Westside have won 6 out of 7 games they have played.

On Wednesday last week, Westside suffered a 3 wicket defeat in the hands of Takashinga Patriots 1.The defeat saw them dropping from first position on the log to third position. Even Westside’s Sunday victory could not help them regain their pole position. On Sunday they got the better of Amakhosi and winning by 15 runs.

Gladiators are now the log leaders after winning their match against Nortonians by 9 wickets. They have amassed 65 points so far. On second position is Takashinga Patriots 1 with a total of 60 points the same as Westside. Westside is on third position due to Net Run Rate (NRR).

NPL which started in mid-April is an annual club competition organized by Zimbabwe Cricket and is contested by Zimbabwe’s top clubs. A total of 10 clubs namely Takashinga Patriots 1, Takashinga Patriots 2, Gladiators, Lions, Great Zimbabwe Patriots, Bulawayo Athletic Club, Nortonians, Amakhosi, Westside and Harare Kings are battling for top honours.

Square says his charges must win their remaining two games of the league as they seek to utilize home advantage. The remaining two games will be played at Mutare Sports Club, which is their home ground.

Top six teams in the NPL will take part in the Twenty20 competition.

Square went on to say he still stand a chance of winning the NPL. 

“We started our campaign so well but on Sunday we played on a difficult wicket. The wicket was ill-prepared. We scored 135 runs. The wicket was so difficult and it was providing uneven bounce. It was tough to put runs on the score board. In reply Amakhosi managed to put 120 runs. We bowled them all out for 120,” he said.

Square believes his bowlers did a sterling job on Sunday though he admitted that his top order batsmen failed to impress.

“My bowlers did a good job. My batters had a tough time especially my top order batsmen. It’s an area that needs to be worked on,” he admitted.

Square declares his charges ready for tomorrow’s game.

“We have done our homework. We are very much prepared for Takashinga Patriots 2. Yes we have fallen down the ladder but today is a must game to win. In actual fact we have to win our remaining two games. On Sunday we will play against Gladiators. We still stand a chance to win the NPL. We have already qualified for the upcoming Twenty20 competition,” he said.

Going into tomorrow’s game, Westside will be banking on the services of pace bowler Tinashe Muchawaya who has done very well in all the seven games he has played. Muchawaya’s superb performance has earned him man of the match in five games. Skipper and leg spinner Vincent Masekesa is also expected to do well with both the bat and the ball. Malawian import and top opening batsman Donnex Kansonko is also expected to do well.https://chipingetimes.co.zw