This Week in Zimbabwe (#8)

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on May 24, 2009

This week in Zimbabwe Westerns shocked the competition with their Twenty20 trophy win, more details about the franchise structure are revealed and Zimbabwe A's inclusion in the Intercontinental Cup is all but confirmed.

Westerns win the Metro Bank T20

In an impressive display after two shocking performances in the Faithwear series and the Logan Cup, back on home soil Westerns demonstrated that they can compete with the best. Westerns and Northerns made it to the final, but it was Westerns who emerged victorious with Mark Vermeulen leading the way with 22. Westerns scored 116, while Northerns managed just 9/112.

Vermeulen won the best batsman award as well as the award for most sixes. Chris Mpofu and Trevor Garwe shared the best bowling honours. Westerns won $1000 for winning the trophy.

More domestic games in 2009-10

Ozias Bvute told more of the plans for a domestic franchise structure in an interview with Cricinfo. The domestic season will start in August and run until February, with local players to get much more match experience. The Logan Cup will consist of 16 matches for each side with every side playing the other four sides on four occasions. Faithwear one-day matches will take place at the conclusion of the 4-day matches, while the Metro Bank T20 will take place in February.

It appears that the 5 teams will continue to be named by their rough geographical locations: Northerns, Southerns, Easterns, Centrals, Westerns.

Zimbabwe A to take part in the ICC Intercontinental Cup

It's not yet official, but you can pencil it in. Zimbabwe A will play in this years edition of the Intercontinental Cup against the likes of Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Canada, Netherlands and newcomers Afghanistan.

Don't expect too many home matches though. While Afghanistan and Kenya will have no qualms about touring, it is more likely than not that Zimbabwe A's matches against the western countries will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or maybe even South Africa.

Afro-Asia Cup to include 5 Twenty20's

It looks like the 2009 edition of the Afro-Asia Cup will consist of 5 Twenty20's, and no ODI's. The previous series in 2007 was extremely exciting, with the Zimbabweans Vusi Sibanda and Elton Chigumbura performing well.

The series is scheduled to take place in Kenya in July.

South Africa resume ties with Zimbabwe

Cricke South Africa officially announced that they will resume ties with the Zimbabwe board. Hopefully what this means is that South Africa will play in the July tri-series, and Zimbabwe will be allowed to re-enter the MTN Domestic Championship and Standard Bank Pro20.