Former Zimbabwe national cricket coach Heath Streak applauded the 2018 CABS St. George’s T-20 tournament in which St Benedict’s (SA) grabbed trophy while defending champions Churchill clinched the plate medal on Sunday at the just ended 3- day tournament dubbed “Smashing Cricket”.
By Tendai Chisiri
Heath Streak who turned for the Chevrons was the Guest of Honour at the event and had words of praise for the inclusion of South African teams in the tournament.” The 3 South African teams make the tournament competitive and brings an carnival atmosphere”, he said.
” The tournament is good as preparation for the cricket school calendar which is underway, he added. He urged structures in Zimbabwe cricket administration to place the needs of the players first for Zimbabwe to be a force to reckon at national level.”Players must be rewarded financially well so that the leagues do not loose players to play for the national team”, he said.Heath Streak has cricket academies in Bulawayo and Harare.
12 teams with three from South Africa locked horns in scintillating cricket games that were a marvel to watch and intriguing.After group games whereby 4 teams were placed in 3 separate pools, play offs were played for the teams to play the trophy final and plate final.The trophy final was competed by the first 6 teams whilst the plate final was for the last 6 teams.
The South African teams, St. Andrew’s, St. Benedict’s and St John’s dominated the festival as none Zimbabwean team won against them.The teams’ positions were determined by net runs.St. Andrew’s (SA) had been the supporters’ favorites after Peter Jarvis had 134 runs on the opening day Friday.However St. Benedict’s (SA) clinched the trophy in a highly entertaining final.
In the final trophy match, St Benedict’s (SA) made 172 runs from the loss of 8 wickets after 20 overs.St John’s (SA) failed to chase the target of 172 runs as they made 168 runs for the loss of 5 wickets after 20 overs.
St Benedict’s (SA) coach Lee Cot hill was impressed by their performance.”This is our second year and am humbled to have won the trophy..We had Under 16’s new in the team. My guys could hit the ball out the ground for sixes and that was were we had advantage.”, he said.
St John’s (SA) coach Adrian Morris it was wonderful, exciting and good experience to participate at the festival.”We didn’t bowl well enough but the results are not bad. This year has been our fourth time and we have won twice and lost twice”, he said.
Prince Edward match against Churchill match was tense as the teams are traditional rivals.Churchill were the first to bat and had 153 runs for the loss of 8 wickets after 20 overs.Prince Edward failed to chase the target as they managed 116 runs for the loss of 10 wickets.
Churchill coach Johnson Marumisa was left in a jovial mood after winning the plate award.” At least we have something to go home with as defending champions.We lost our first 2 games in the group stages”, he said. He hailed the performance of Mutanga, Chinebvu and Chipungu although he also gave the credit to all the team members.
Prince Edward coach Lawvern Mapuranga was disappointed by his team’s performance against Churchill.”Our opening bats men did’t play according to instructions.They were supposed to hold for the bi batters to come and chase the scoreline.Prince Edward is strong in the middle batting line.The opening batsmen hit some balls and were nervous”, he said.
“Musekiwa did his best but failed to get a better partnership. That’s how we lost the match”, revealed Prince Edward coach.
St John’s (ZIM) coach David Mutendera was happy with the outcome at the festival.”It is just a pity that we play less cricket here than our counterparts in South Africa.In South Africa , they play 25 games a season.10 T-20 (white ball and 15 actual games(red ball)’, he said.
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