The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
WHEN Shepherd Makunura saw hunger and focus from his charges, he knew he had laid a solid foundation for a strong Rocks comeback season.
It was early days marked by the uncertainty from the corona-virus pandemic, but extra individual practice and high intensity team training sessions gave him reason to believe.
Now, Rocks, formerly Southern Rocks, are the toast of town, basking in Logan Cup glory.
This is a first Logan Cup title for the team disbanded six seasons ago due to Zimbabwe Cricket’s financial challenges of that time.
“This just makes it extra special,” said Rocks’ head coach Makunura.
“Rocks only just came back into First Class (cricket) after a long absence.
“We felt we needed to make a statement and show that the Rocks are back and not just to make up numbers, and we had targeted to win at least one trophy.”
That one trophy is secured and it’s the big one.
Rocks reached an unassailable 30 point mark after beating Eagles at Old Hararians on Friday.
When left arm-seamer Andre Ordenaal bowled Eagles’ number 11 batsman Tadiwa Nyangani, the Rocks players broke into celebrations with cheers and hugs all round.
It was a job well done for a team that had good depth, and was arguably the strongest side on paper.
The Rocks lived up to expectations.
They played only one match with their full-strength side, which included two overseas pros Ben Curran and Shane Snater, when they beat Tuskers at Harare Sports Club.
In their next two games they were missing the overseas players, who returned to their bases, as well as Zimbabwe internationals Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and captain Richmond Mutumbami.
The trio was away on national duty.
Makunura was missing too, since he is the Chevrons’ fielding coach, and in his stead was the duo of assistant coaches Stanley Chioza and Cephas Zhuwao.
“I thought we had a balanced side, not the strongest, but players who are hungry for success.
“Workaholics, who want more from the game,” said Makunura.
“We felt that our survival in the franchise set up rested on how well we do this season.” One man who has stood out, perhaps the hungriest of the lot, is Roy Kaia.
The 29-year-old starred with a century that inspired a win over Rhinos.
He followed that with a fine 96 against Eagles.“He has done very well this season with both bat and ball and his performances span even from the NPL,” said Makunura of Kaia who was the National Premier League’s player of the tournament.
“He is certainly asking the right questions.
“Other players that are hungry, and have also done well, are Innocent Kaia, William Mashinge, and Tendai Chisoro to mention but a few.” Players like seamer Trevor Mutsamba, Tadiwa Marumani and Ordenaal have also been impressive for Rocks.
Makunura said there was one extra motivation for the champions — an unbeaten season.
“Definitely that would be the icing on the cake,” he said.
So the warning is loud and clear to Rocks’ next opponents — a team Makunura and some of his players once called home.
Mountaineers stand between the champions and their quest for perfection.
“It will be (emotional), I have very good relations with a lot of the (Mountaineers) players and staff.
“I had a lot of good successful years at the Goats,” the Rocks coach said.
As a parting shot, Makunura can now be called “Mr Logan Cup”, as he has made the tournament his own with four consecutive titles.
“Glory to God and obviously this is also to the players and Rocks at large, “ he said.
“It’s also four Logan Cups in a row for the likes of Roy and Innocent Kaia, as well as William Mashinge.
“I have come a long way with these soldiers.”
