Former players are eyeing returns in competitive cricket

Posted by Detective RDS on July 15, 2009

Takashinga Premier Winter League Twenty-20 is underway this Sunday. There are four sides playing in it- Hamilton Masakadza captained Chaminuka, Prosper Utseya captained Tongogara and Elton Chigumbura captained Tangwena and the most surprise package was the team ‘ Red Lions’ which will be captained by 33 years old former Zimbabwean test batsman Trevor Gripper.

Red Lions also includes such players like 31 years old all rounder Douglas Marillier, 26 years old opening batsman Barney Rogers, 30 years old batsman Lance Malloch-Brown who played First Class cricket in Zimbabwe.

All of them are playing for Red Lions in the following tournament including 27 years old former Midlands pacer Campbell Macmillan once who was the quickest bowler in Zimbabwe.

It is also believed that 24 years old Stephan Marillier is also playing for Red Lions. He played for Derbyshire 2nd XI last year and played club cricket in Warwickshire, UK also.

It is said that a comeback is a top priority for some of the players of Red Lions. But we have to wait for seeing that. Meanwhile, the franchises squad will be announced on August 5. We will be able to find which player’s name is in the list and which player’s isn’t.

Red Lions have won their matches and there are more matches coming up this weekend.

Talking about the team of Red Lions, it was formed by former Zimbabwean skipper Heath Streak back in 2004 after the rebel strike. Red Lions hasn’t played any competitive cricket before this tournament, they have always played matches amongst themselves on the weekends. But last month they hosted a team from Zambia. They are a fielding strong unit. After the T20 tournament there will be a One Day competition also. All the matches will be played in coloured clothing, something which doesn't normally happen in domestic cricket.

Special thanks to our friend Enock Muchinjo and brmtaylor.com admin for passing the valuable information.