'Experience to trumph over youth'
MOUNTAINEERS captain Tino Mawoyo believes experience will triumph over youth in their quest for a double when they play Rising Stars in the final of the cricket Pro50 Championship at Takashinga Sports Club today.
The Mountain Goats, who have already bagged this year’s Logan Cup title, are oozing with confidence.
On paper, t he odds are heavily staked in favour of Mountaineers who boast of a strong squad comprising current and former national team players such as Mawoyo himself, Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, Hamilton Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe and Wellington Masakadza.
Mawoyo appeared in high spirits in a joint press conference that was also attended by Rising Stars captain Tinashe Kamunhukamwe.
“The majority of us in the Mountaineers have played in many finals before and I think that will count massively for us tomorrow (today).
“Complacency is something that we have spoken about especially when we are coming into this final. “We stepped up our training in the last couple of weeks but at the end of the day the onus is on each player to realise that it doesn’t matter how much more cricket you have played than anybody else. ‘’ What’s important is your performance is your performance on the day,” said Mawoyo.
It has been a dream debut season for Rising Stars who have f inished top of the Pro50 Championship standings and will be looking to complete their fairytale campaign by sealing the season with a maiden silverware.
Rank outsiders at the beginning of the season, Rising Stars had a late surge in the campaign and their skipper Tinashe Kamunhukamwe wants his side to continue with the good form.
Kamunhukamwe believes their tour of England by the academy last year helped lay a good foundation for their team.
“Personally, I would say I’m really looking forward to the final. We are all excited. We have all been working hard to stay in shape.
‘’ Even during the time when there was no domestic cricket taking place in the country during the ICC World Cup Qualifier, we didn’t stopped practicing,” said Kamunhukamwe.