The Sunday Mail
Newly crowned Zimbabwe Cricket National League champions Country Club have set their sights on a prolonged dominance. Country Club are basking in glory after lifting their maiden title courtesy of a two-wicket victory over Masvingo Sports Club in last weekend’s final at CFX. The win capped a fantastic season for the Harare-based side as they also bagged the Vigne Cup T20 title in April.
The champions’ manager, Devon Martin, believes greater things are yet to come from his side.
“We are thrilled by our success; the guys were fantastic throughout the season.
“Our focus now is on building on this success. Next season our aim is to sweep everything that is on offer, all we want to do is get better,” he said.
Martin hailed some of the team’s youngsters for showing good temperament especially in the absence of big name players like Brendan Taylor, Malcolm Waller and Hamilton Masakadza.
One such youngster is 16-year-old batsman Nick Welch, who reasserted his billing as one of the country’s brightest prospects by scoring 49 runs in the final.
Welch finished as the league’s run scorer with an average of 60 from four games.
“The big names are important for us, but whenever they are not around our youngsters have showed they are capable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dawson Mutsekwa Tournament enters the third week at Takashinga Sports Club.
The tournament, which traditionally uses the Two Day game format, is using the One Day game format due to poor response.
Tongogara, Kaguvi and Chaminuka are battling it out in a round-robin format that will see the top two teams meeting in the final. The Harare Metropolitan League Two day games are now expected to roar into life soon after the conclusion of the Dawson Mutsekwa tourney.
