All posts by csb10.top

Former Calmore Sports team-mates Paul Draper and James Hibberd are having a personal duel to see which of the two all-rounders can score the most runs and capture the most wickets."There’s nothing on it, except personal pride," says Hibberd, who lies a single run behind Draper in the batting stakes but one wicket ahead of his South Wilts rival.Both players have done well this summer, with Draper scoring 416 runs and taking 20 wickets for his new club South Wilts, and Hibberd making 415 runs for Calmore, in addition to snapping up 21 wickets with his medium-pace.But Draper has already scored two important successes over his old Calmore team-mate."We’ve beaten Calmore twice this season and I got scores of 88 and 42 without being out. I’m happy to dine out on that," chuckled Draper, who will have Hibberd’s full support in nextFriday’s SEC Cup final at the Rose Bowl.Leading individual performances:Premier 1
Batting: Damian Shirazi (BAT Sports) 501, Luke Ronchi (Bashley Rydal) 491, Russell Rowe (South Wilts) 473, Matt Swarbrick (Bournemouth) 459, Paul Draper (South Wilts) 416, James Hibberd (Calmore Sports) 415, Neil Thurgood (Bashley Rydal) 411, Roger Miller (Andover) 368, Alistair Gray (Liphook) 360, Dave Banks (BAT Sports) 300.Bowling: Dan Golstraw (BAT Sports) 32, Malcolm Hobson (Havant) 28, Richard Dibden (BAT Sports) 25, James Hibberd (Calmore Sports) 21, Kirk Stewart (BAT Sports) 20, Richard Hindley (Havant) 20, Kevin Nash (Bashley Rydal) 20, Paul Draper (South Wilts) 20, Christof Bothma (Calmore Sports) 20.Premier 2
Batting: Charles Forward (OT & Romsey) 582, Danny Peacock (Lymington) 441, Aaron Heal (Lymington) 430, Iain Brunnschweiler (Hampshire Academy) 411, Jason Laney (Hungerford) 405, Owen Dawkins (Hungerford) 397, Jeff Anning (Rowledge) 355, Max Smith (OT & Romsey) 333, Gary Hounsome (US) 329.Bowling: Damien Carson (United Services) 27, Nick Wood (OT & Romsey) 26, Steve Green (Easton & Martyr Worthy) 23, Aaron Heal (Lymington) 23, Danny Peacock (Lymington) 21, Jeff Anning (Rowledge) 20.Premier 3
Batting: Will Prozesky (Purbrook) 610, Mark Parker (St Cross Symondians) 524, Matt Digweed (Hartley Wintney) 501, Chris Baumann (Waterlooville) 482, Michael Howard (Leckford) 429, Colin James (Paultons) 411, Steve Watts (New Milton) 368, Ian Hunter (Purbrook) 368, Michael Heffernan (Alton) 359, Simon Greenfield (Havant) 345.Bowling: Nathan Collins (Gosport Borough) 26, Bob Paul (Bashley Rydal II) 23, Neil Doods (Ventnor) 22, John Barrett (Hambledon) 22, Andy Cattle (Leckford) 22, Julian Ballinger (Alton) 21, Andy Snellgrove (New Milton) 20, Ben Neal (New Milton) 20, Mark Stanley (Purbrook) 20.All Divisions
Wicketkeeping: John Burton (Redlynch & Hale) 14, John Harris (Hursley Park) 14, Dave Banks (BAT Sports) 14, Keith Trodd (OT & Romsey) 13, Lee Wateridge (Andover) 13, Dave Coles (Lymington) 13.Catches: Richard Hindley (Havant) 10, Stuart Tulk (OT & Romsey) 9.

The Final of the Under 19 County Championship was concluded on the first day after Hampshire were dismissed for 125 in 57.3 overs.Hampshire chose to bat and lost early wickets to Parsons and Kelly before Snell with 39 gave the innings some substance. His dismissal in the over before lunch, leaving Hampshire at 83-5, effectively ended Hampshire’s chances of posting a competitive total, and two run outs, one a deflection by the bowler to dismiss Thane, the non-striker, did not help.Kelly finished with 3 for 34, Parsons with 2 for 21 and Andrew returned to the attack to take 2 for 17.Although Stokes was soon out mistiming a hook Webley played some excellent strokes in reaching 70 not out and with Andrew on 34 Somerset won by 8 wickets, reaching their target in 25.2 overs.Ken Standring, Chairman of the ECB Schools, Junior and Youth Group presented the Cup and medals.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accepted the request of paceman Wasim Akram, to release him from the two-Test series against South Africa starting at Durban from Dec 26.Wasim, who had confined himself for One-day cricket but suddenly made himself available for Test cricket after reaching Zimbabwe for the five One-day series last month, reverted to his earlier decision with the approval of the PCB.” The chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, spoke to Wasim over telephone yesterday (Tuesday), and after hearing him out, has agreed to accede to his request” acting director PCB Zakir Khan said. However, Zakir avoided to reveal any details of the conversation held between the chairman and the bowler.After Wasim’s omission a 15-member team will play the Test series as no replacement was being made, Zakir said.Wasim along with wicketkeeper Rashid Latif and Misbahul Haq will return home on Dec 20 while middle-order batsman Hasan Raza will join the team for the Tests on Dec 17. Rashid has also limited himself to One-day cricket.Former batsman, Hanif Mohammad, who is the batting consultant of the team will leave for South Africa Saturday.

Firstly Brad congratulations in receiving your ACB contract. As a full-time professional cricketer, are you viewing the game any differently?No, not at all. I try and keep myself busy in the off-season as much as I can. I enjoy doing a bit of work around the house. Last year I was still painting houses and that’s what I do by trade. So, no I don’t think that I view it any differently. Obviously it gives you a bit more incentive. That’s about it.Right now you are looking slim and strong. Injuries have been the major concern for you in the past, so how are you keeping fit during the off-season?What I’ve really enjoyed, especially over the last couple of years, is doing gym work and I do a lot of bike work now just to try and stay off my legs a little bit. Over my career I’ve got to know my body inside and out as well as I could, and now I know what I can and what I can’t do. I suppose you get to know your limitations.One that Dennis Lillee would most likely ask is – Have you been keeping up your core strength through your torso?Yeah, obviously having stress fractures when I was younger I’ve always had a little bit of lower back problem. I always keep my sit-up routine, make sure that I do it every day. That’s just part of life for me now.Brad, December 23 2001, the MCG verses your old state. Did you need much motivation for that match?You never need much motivation to play Victoria when you’ve left them I must admit.That display was rated by many, as the fastest, and most hostile, spell seen on the Australian domestic circuit in years. Perhaps since November of 1999, when Brett Lee broke Jo Angel’s arm. How do you rate that spell?Every time I walk out onto the ground no matter where you are or what you’re doing, I always give 110%. That was no different and it just happened to be against an old team. I suppose that I just happened to have a little bit more of a fire in my belly.Three wickets in seven balls and you could have easily had a hat-trick. It’s the kind of burst, which can swing a match in a matter of minutes. Can you reproduce that on the international stage?Given the opportunity I hope I could. Obviously if you get enough balls in the right area then you never know. If it’s your day, it’s your day.The Vic’s actually won that match but a few months later at the WACA it was a different story. How do you rate the four for 34 you took to help dismiss Victoria for 98, and win, after being made to follow-on?It was a very frustrating game for us. We were still half a chance of making the Pura Cup final. I know, when we went out there and we only had a hundred on the board, I was pretty pumped actually. I thought that we were still half a chance to win outright. I don’t think Victoria’s batting depth is great so I went out there with the view that if we can make some early breakthroughs then we could put them under a bit of pressure. They had a lot of youngsters out there in their side. I didn’t think that they could stand up, and it proved so.What was the biggest thrill, being 12th man for the Boxing Day Test or being chosen in the XI for the one-dayer against New Zealand?That’s a toughie, I must admit just being part of the Boxing Day Test was a big thrill. But actually playing for Australia would have to take the cake I think. Yeah, just playing at the MCG and making your debut for Australia was pretty special.You have chosen to wait until you get picked in the Test XI before you are officially presented with your ‘baggy green’. Is that the major driving force in your cricketing life, to get a berth in a test XI for Australia?Just playing for Australia in general is my major driving force. Now that I’ve had a taste of it, I just want it even more than when I was younger. Because it’s just an unbelievable feeling, it’s something that no words could describe.When you were chosen to make your international debut against New Zealand on the January 11, 2002, did you feel like you had finally ‘arrived’ in the game of cricket?Not finally arrived. I saw it as an opportunity to play for Australia which maybe two or three years ago I thought may never happen. And just being there and being given the new ball for Australia, as I say, was an unbelievable experience.Yet following multiple injuries and operations in the 2000/1 season you were on the verge of retiring, weren’t you?I don’t know about the verge of retiring. I was definitely getting frustrated with having so many injuries through my career. But you talk to a lot of people who have represented Australia and played some sort of cricket for Australia and after talking to them it still keeps your motivation going.Mark Taylor never showed any obvious signs of fear during his career, yet rumour has it that the thought of facing you had him scared witless. Rashid Latif who has earned praise the world over for his courage, was renounced for facing up to the fastest bowlers in the game without a helmet. Yet just a few balls from yourself and he was in genuine fear for his life, calling for a helmet, with a grill. Do you feed off the fear, which you can generate as one of the game’s truly frightening bowlers?No, I think you can definitely use it to the best of your advantage and if they’re scared and thinking about how fast you’re bowling then it takes their focus off their batting. So you can definitely use it to your strengths.Do you ever feel sorry for a batsman when you strike him?No, not at all. They’ve got a bat in their hand so if they miss it, or if they don’t get out of the way quick enough, then that’s their problem.As a young bowler, you forced Allan Border to retire hurt for the only time in his first-class career. How were you feeling when you realised that you had broken AB’s arm with one of your thunderbolts?That was an interesting one actually. I don’t know if he didn’t pick it up, or if he thought it was going to bounce more or what, but he just stood there and it hit him in the arm. He didn’t flinch at the time so I didn’t think it had even hurt him. I walked down to fine-leg and then I turned around and he was walking off the ground. Then Dean Jones came up to me at lunch and said, “Did you know that that is the first time Allan Border has retired hurt in his career?” I had no idea and then news got back later in the day that he had a broken arm. But it didn’t stop him from coming back out and batting. So you’ve got to have a bit of respect for a bloke who can come out and do that.Was Allan Border one of your childhood heroes?Yeah, definitely.Your first One-Day International and Steve Waugh asks you to open the bowling ahead of Brett Lee. What did you think of that?I remember sitting in the rooms and I just presumed that I’d be bowling first change behind Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee. I remember sitting there and I was just putting my boots on ready to go out onto the ground and Steve said, “Yeah, you’re opening the bowling with Glenn”. I’ve never, ever, been in that situation, where I was relaxed, I was ready to go and then suddenly nerves just hit me and I started shaking and everything. But it was a special feeling I must admit.You seemed to bowl brilliantly in tandem with McGrath. Was it a pre-meditated plan for McGrath to attack from one end whilst you bowled for containment at the other?No not at all. My strength beforehand, to get picked to play for Australia, was my consistency and I believe in one-day cricket your main goal is to go for as least amount of runs as possible and not so much taking wickets. That’s the way I have viewed my oneday cricket over the past three years and I just believe that was my role in that game.You were the most economical bowler in that match by the way. In that match, you opted for control and bowled well within yourself being constantly around the 140kph to 143kph mark and only conceding 31 runs from your 10 overs. How tempted were you to go full throttle and see just how fast you could bowl?No, I wasn’t tempted at all. I was pretty focused in that game. My main goal was to try and keep the runs down and I just stayed focus throughout the whole game. I tried to go for under 35 and I achieved that. So it was my day I suppose.You average over 15 with the bat in first-class cricket, won a one-dayer for WA striking a six with two balls remaining last year, and you were 13 not out for Australia when your thumb was broken. What view do you take of your batting?It needs a lot of improvement. I enjoy my batting. I admire guys like Brett Lee, who give a fair bit out but he handles the bat pretty well and can take anything that gets dished back. It’s a pretty important part of my game and something that I really want to work hard on and improve.It looked as though the broken thumb, courtesy of Shane Bond, may cost you an ACB contract. Has that been something you have thought about over the past few months?Not over the past few months. Obviously when it happened I was extremely disappointed. You get your opportunity to play for Australia and I thought my first game wasn’t too bad and to end up with a broken thumb out of it, it rips your heart out to a degree because I thought my dream had gone. But now I’m focused again, working hard again and once I get back out there, hopefully I can prove it again.You are a similar age, pace and stage of development to Bond. Will you have a few special deliveries of your own lined up for him on your next encounter?Yeah, hopefully I’ll get to bowl to him one day, that would be nice. I wouldn’t mind giving him some of his own medicine back.Only six bowlers in the world have exceeded 150kph over the past couple of years. Do you have designs on being No 7 in the ‘express paceman’s’ club?I wouldn’t say that was a goal of mine but I believe it’s in my ability to achieve it and if it happens, it happens. I mean it’s all about rhythm these days. If I can stay fit enough and if your rhythm’s out there on the day, and if their happens to be a speed gun there, then it’s certainly achievable.As a very young bowler you were clocked at 146kph v NSW. No doubt you’ve far exceeded that speed at times. Do you feel that despite the injuries you are capable of bowling as fast today as you ever have?I believe these days I’ve got the ability to bowl faster at times. I’ve gotten smarter over the last few years and I know that I can’t do it every ball, but as Dennis Lillee would say to me, “It’s not about bowling your fastest ball every ball, it’s a matter of being consistent, being able to produce that quicker one”.What is your fastest spell to date?This year against Queensland, my little mate Ryan Campbell (wicket-keeper) was standing outside the 30-metre circle. It was the quickest I had bowled this year and I wouldn’t have minded seeing a speed gun there that day to see what I was bowling at.In Lee and Jason Gillespie, the Australian cricket team is lucky enough to have two of the fastest bowlers on the planet. You are a ready-made replacement if either of them are injured, but barring that, how do you plan on getting into the Test XI?That’s a tough one. Obviously those two there are quality bowlers and to even put your name alongside them is a great thrill. But, as I’ve said in the past, my main goal three years ago when I moved to Perth was to be more consistent and I still believe that these days, if I can be more consistent then everything else takes care of itself.Do you have any advice for young bowlers who dream of one day being as fast as you?All I can say is that I don’t think it’s all about bowling fast. Rhythm is a main key to bowling fast and as long as you let your body develop, the rest of it takes care of itself. It’s a little bit of natural ability, but if you can get your action right and rhythm’s there then you can still bowl fast.Who is the fastest bowler you have ever seen?Probably Allan Donald in his prime. He was inspirational to watch. When I was young I saw the tail end of Marshall and Garner and those and they were pretty fearful.And yet I read that Paul Reiffel rated yourself in ’97 as faster than Donald.Did he really? Oh, that shocks me. In his prime Donald was quick.

Surrey have completed an emphatic win inside three days in their Championship match against Kent at The Oval. They bowled Kent out for 268, with Ed Giddins taking three for 80, and knocked off the required 61 runs for victory, losing just one wicket in the process.Warwickshire have reached a strong position against Leicestershire at Edgbaston, leading by 210 runs with six second innings wickets remaining. Grant Flower extended his first innings for Leicestershire to 75 and Neil Burns weighed in with a useful 64 as the visitors were bowled out for 370. Warwickshire then reached 118 for four in their second innings, but not with an urgency that suggests they are on course for anything other than a draw.There was drama at the end of a rain-interrupted day in Bath after Somerset declared their first innings on 161 for nine, 91 runs behind Hampshire. Richard Johnson and Matt Bulbeck then cut a swathe through Hampshire’s top order, reducing them to a stunning three for four at stumps.Just short of 24 overs play were possible at Headingley, but that was enough for Sussex to force the beleaguered champions to follow on. James Kirtley polished off the Yorkshire tail to finish with five for 49, and Yorkshire closed on eight for no wicket, 210 behind.In Division Two, Northamptonshire are in a precarious position against Essex at Ilford. Having been forced to follow on, they are still 25 runs behind with only four second innings wickets remaining, despite 71 from Mike Hussey and 46 from Jeff Cook. Their batsmen offered little resistance to the Essex bowlers first time around to be bowled out for 204 with four wickets falling to Ashley Cowan. Those bowlers had to work harder in the second innings with all the batsmen dismissed so far at least getting into the twenties, but it would appear that only the weather can deprive Essex now.At Trent Bridge Derbyshire were dismissed just one run short of Notts’ total of 393. Mohammad Ali contributed a useful 43, while Nadeem Malik and Richard Logan each finished with three wickets. Notts reached 75 for three in their second innings by stumps, 76 runs ahead.At Lord’s, Mike Powell made 122 as Glamorgan were bowled out for 369 by Middlesex, who had reached 131 for one at the end of another rain-blighted day.Durham and Worcestershire managed just nine overs and three balls at Chester-le-Street. Allan Donald took the wicket of Andrew Pratt for 67 as Durham closed on 206 for five.

Two centuries in CricInfo Championship games already this season have helped persuade Hampshire captain Robin Smith to withdraw his threat to retire at the end of this summer.The former England batsman is 38 in September but now says he intends to carry on playing until his 40th birthday.Smith had a poor season last year and averaged just 20, prompting his retirement announcement. But his change of fortune this year has led to a change of mind.He said: “I feel pretty good this year and I could not be happier with theway things have gone.”Throughout my career I’ve been lucky in that I’ve always scored runs butlast year I suffered and I lost my confidence.”I was considering quitting if it went on but with a further two years lefton my contract I would love to fulfil that and play until I’m 40.”It has always been my ambition to finish at 40 and leave on a high and withthe last scheduled game being on my 40th birthday I would love to bow outthen.”

Manicaland moved closer to their first Logan Cup victory of the season at Mutare Sports Club yesterday by forcing Matabeleland to follow on 330 runs behind. With another first session lost to bad weather yesterday time will become a big factor in deciding Matabeleland’s survival or Manicaland’s victory. Needing a further 283 to make Manicaland bat again, Matabeleland need to bat three sessions to safety. Openers Siziba (31 n/o) and Walker (11 n/o) made a good start by seeing off 23 overs before bad light stopped play for a third day running.Resuming their first innings score on the overnight 142 for three, Matabeleand lasted just 38 overs to finish on 244 all out off 70 overs. Only Strydom (72) offered worthwhile resistance and he remained positive throughout. This wish to dominate noticeable in all the Matabeleland batsmen may be the key to Manicaland’s chances of success on the last day. The pitch is unlikely to change significantly so it will be up to Manicalands bowlers to tempt and provoke indiscretion from the Matabeles. Paul Strang is the most likely to succeed in this tactic, having already lured Mbangwa to a swift stumping in the first innings. His repetitive forearm-stress-fracture forces him to bowl loopy leg-spinners these days and in some grades of cricket this is enough. Although this match has been designated first-class status, a lot of Matabeleland’s batting looks sub-second league class.It is likely that Alistair Campbell and Ian Coulson will be used for long periods during the day with Kingsley Went as an additional off-spinning option. Strang left the field late yesterday to seek physiotherapy treatment so his fitness is in question. The other three have had little impact on the game so far so will be fresh to answer their captain’s callings. ‘Jumbo’ King looked good for his 43 in the first innings, and with Siziba and Strydom showing good touch Matabeleland might just frustrate the home side.

The second warmup game of the Australian tour, against the Ranjitrophy champions Mumbai, commenced at the CCI today. Mumbai ended thefirst day at 328 for nine off 94 overs. Ramesh Powar (65 not out) andNilesh Kulkarni (14 not out) were at the crease when stumps were drawnon the first day.The momentum of play kept swinging through the day. It was aninteresting day which had the bowlers dominating the first session anda brave fightback from the batsmen in the next one. There were momentswhen it seemed that the hosts would fizzle out under the pressureapplied by the Australian pace attack but skipper Sameer Dighe ledthem with a fighting knock.The ever accurate Glenn McGrath dominated the first session of theday. After the crowds went after the tourists, they were unable tomaintain the pressure mounted early on in the morning. The Mumbai tailwagged to the cheering of the crowds and frustrated the Australianattack. Shane Warne looked less than impressive as most of the batsmengot stuck into him. He went for 81 runs off 19 overs with one wicketto his credit. The highlights of the day were a well made 84 byDighe and an unbeaten 65 by Ramesh Powar in the late order. GlennMcGrath bagged three for 46 and Ricky Ponting picked up two forten. Damien Fleming, Matthew Hayden and Colin Miller picked up onewicket each.Earlier in the day, Mumbai skipper Dighe won the toss and decided tobat on the flat brownish wicket at the CCI in Mumbai. The first sessionof the day was disheartening for the hosts as they lost fourwickets for 78 runs at lunch. Jatin Paranjpe made a valiant effort toresurrect the innings early but failed. Warne accounted for him in thesecond over after lunch. Vinod Kambli soon walked back to the pavilionwithout troubling the scorers.The lunch interval did come as a blessing in disguise for the hosts.After Paranjpe’s dismissal, Dighe found an able partner in SairajBahutule. The duo added a 117 run partnership for the sixth wicket off36.3 overs. The left handed Bahutule scored 51 off 108 balls with sixhits down the fence before being trapped legbefore by Ricky Ponting.After losing Bahutule, Dighe found another partner in Powar whocame out firing on all cylinders. He raced away to a half-century off49 balls. The duo added 63 runs for the eighth wicket in 13.1 overswith Powar dominating the partnership and taking the pressure offDighe. Bowling with the second new ball Fleming spelled doom forDighe, when in a lapse of concentration he chased an outswinger fromFleming and was caught behind. Dighe scored 84 off 178 balls with 14hits to the fence.The Mumbai tail wagged after Dighe was dismissed, with Paras Mhambreytaking the attack to McGrath, hitting him for three consecutiveboundaries. McGrath came back with a bouncer that was top edged toFleming at fine leg. Mhambrey scored 19 off 13 balls with four hits tothe fence. Mhambrey and Powar added 31 runs for the ninth wicket off3.1 overs.Last man, Nilesh Kulkarni further frustrated the tourists and wasunbeaten at close of play.

England have opted to play an all seam attack in the First Test against Pakistan at Lord’s tomorrow.Robert Croft has been released by Duncan Fletcher to play for his county, Glamorgan. He will meet up with his team-mates at Old Trafford where they are playing Lancashire. Rain has disrupted play in several CricInfo Championship games, so Croft has a good chance of making it for the start of the match.Matthew Hoggard, the Yorkshire fast bowler not originally included in the squad due to a minor injury, has been retained at Lord’s and now has an opportunity to play in the Test tomorrow.Either Hoggard or fellow Yorkshireman, Sidebottom, could come into the team for Craig White who will now undergo a fitness test on the morning of the Test.

Come political, economic or social crisis, cricket in Zimbabwe goes on. The domestic season, Zimbabwe’s fourth with a franchise system, begins on Saturday and will run until the first weekend in March 2013.Limited-overs matches kick off the summer with first-class competition only starting at the end of October. The pattern of their season has little impact on international competition, because they play so rarely, but is designed to minimise cost as Zimbabwe’s board battles with debt.Zimbabwe’s next international assignment is in March when they tour the Caribbean, although they are also in the process of rescheduling a visit from Bangladesh. That means international players will feature heavily, as this is the closest thing they have to competition and the domestic circuit will be used to experiment and improve.Matabeleland Tuskers This is Zimbabwe’s strongest franchise, based on last season’s results. The Tuskers won the first-class competition and ended third in both the fifty-over and twenty-over competitions.Their coach, Dave Houghton has left to work in another area but national bowling coach, Heath Streak will take over. A good mix of experience, such as captain Gavin Ewing and seamer Chris Mpofu, and youth, like allrounder Keegan Meth and quick Njabulo Ncube, make up their squad.Notably, the Tuskers can field no overseas players because of financial constraints. English players Adam Wheater and Paul Horton will not return to the franchise as a result of this.Sean Ervine, who plays for Hampshire and previously turned his back on Zimbabwe before the 2011 World Cup, has returned to the fold. Sean Williams, who opted out of the World T20 because of a dispute with the board, is also back and veteran bowler Mluleki Nkala has made himself available for selection as well.Mashonaland Eagles Fifty-over champions and runners-up in the first-class tournament saw the Eagles enjoy a successful season last year. They are a stable unit, run by former international and coach Kevin Curran, and have a few national players in their ranks, some of whom will have to use their time in the franchise system to regain form after Zimbabwe’s poor showing against New Zealand and at the World T20.Stuart Matsikenyeri captains the side which also includes Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis and Ray Price. Promising faces to watch out for are Forster Mutizwa, Cephas Zuwao and Sikandar Raza. Chamu Chibhabha has also joined the Eagles.Mid-West Rhinos It will be a tough ask for the Rhinos – mid-tablers for most of last season – because they have lost their two best batsmen: Gary Ballance and Riki Wessels. Ballance, who is Zimbabwean born but has committed to England, has been included in England’s performance squad to tour India while money could be keeping Wessels away.What the Rhinos do have is a wealth of national talent. They will be coached by Grant Flower and have national captain Brendan Taylor in their ranks. Also in the squad is Vusi Sibanda, Malcolm Waller and Graeme Cremer. One international, Essex’s Jaik Mickelburgh, will turn out for them.Mark Vermeulen is part of the squad on a pay-as-you-play basis. If he plays, he would have represented five Zimbabwean domestic teams.MountaineersVictory in last season’s twenty-over competition buoyed this franchise amid a poor return in other formats. They finished last in the fifty-over tournament and second-last in the first-class game.Change may come in the form of the coach and chief executive, Gary and Jon Brent. Both are former internationals and have embarked on a schools programme to broaden cricket awareness in the Mutare region. The squad has held coaching clinics at local schools and more than 70 teachers were trained in basic cricket skills in the winter in the hope that they will impart the knowledge to pupils. Jon hopes this will allow 800 children access to the game and create a talent pool for Mountaineers to dip into.Southern Rocks It was from this franchise that national bowler Brian Vitori emerged but they have had little else to show for their cricketing efforts. They finished at the bottom of both the first-class and twenty-over tables last season and were second from bottom in the fifty-over competition.Houghton has moved from the Tuskers to the Rocks in a bid to help develop the Masvingo-based side. Houghton has brought with him two players – Peter Burgoyne and Ben Slater – from Derbyshire, where he coaches in the English summer.Their bowling has been strengthened with the inclusion of three former internationals – Trevor Garwe, Tawanda Mupariwa and Tinashe Panyangara – but they have lost batsman Chamu Chibhabha.