Stanbic Bank 20 Series

Stanbic Bank 20 Series
Countries	Zimbabwe
Administrator	Zimbabwe Cricket Union
Format	Twenty20
First tournament	2007
Tournament format	Round-robin and Knockout
Number of teams	5
Current champion	Easterns
Most runs	H Masakadza (267)[1]
Most wickets	KM Dabengwa (8)[2]
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The Stanbic Bank Twenty20 formerly known as the Metropolitan Bank Twenty20 is the domestic twenty 20 cricket competition in Zimbabwe. It was formed in 2007 and maintained by Zimbabwe Cricket Union. It features all the national and domestic players from Zimbabwe. The best players in this tournament will form as Zimbabwe Chevrons to play in the Standard Bank Pro 20 Series in South Africa

Teams

• Easterns
• Mashonoland Eagles (Northerns)
• Southern Rocks
• West End Rhinos
• Centrals

2007 season

Winner: Southerns
Runner-up: Easterns

The inaugural edition of the Metropolitan Bank Twenty20 series was held between March 30-April 1, 2007. However sadly the scorecards were never made available, so for the players that participated in this tournament, their statistics would not have been officially recorded. Many of the countries top cricketers were not able to take part in the tournament as they were competing in the ICC World Cup in the West Indies, however many of the second tier players such as Timycen Maruma - who had played in Zimbabwe's only official Twenty20 to date, against the Eagles in South Africa - and Blessing Mahwire did take part. The tournament took place in the eastern border city of Mutare. Many of the matches were rain affected, with some of day two's matches being decided by the duckworth lewis method. The final match, which Southerns won, was also rain affected and reduced to 8 overs a side.^[3]

2008 season

Winner: Easterns
Runner-up: Westerns

The 2008 season was held between March 19-21st, 2008. The tournament kicked off the provincial domestic season, and featured all of the countries top cricketers. Easterns were the dominant team of the tournament, and there was some concern that Zimbabwe Cricket had placed the countries top players, such as Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Timycen Maruma, in this team to show there is depth outside of the urban centres. However, Northerns province, who featured Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu and Graeme Cremer, were arguably a stronger side, and they didn't make it to the finals, suggesting perhaps that the claims were unfounded.

The tournament featured several names from the past, such as fast bowler Ian Nicolson (Southerns), batsman Malcolm Waller (Centrals) and bowler Brian Vitori (Southerns). However there were several noticeable missing faces, such as Khawaluni Ntuil, the Westerns fast bowler, Freedom Takarusenga, the Westerns all-rounder, and Kyle Jarvis, the under 19's fast bowler who was unlucky to miss out on a place in the Northerns squad.

The three day tournament was held in Harare, with matches being shared between Harare Sports Club and the Country Club (Zimbabwe Cricket Academy). The first 2 days saw four matches being played, two in the morning with one at each venue, and two in the afternoon with one at each venue again. The final day had a regular morning routine, but instead of the typical two afternoon matches, it was just the final match at Harare Sports Club.^[4]

Squads

Northerns: Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Graeme Cremer, Trevor Garwe, Admire Manyumwa, Prince Masvaure, Sammy Mwakayeni, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Brendan Taylor, Prosper Tsvanhu, Cephas Zwuwawo

Southerns: Gerald Aliseni, Chamu Chibhabha, Jemton Chinyengetere, Robertson Chinyengetere (capt), Tendai Chisoro, Terrence Duffin, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Blessing Mahwire, Hilary Matanga, Ashby Mutumbami, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Ian Nicolson, Brian Vitori

Easterns: Edzai Jaure, Philmon Kadziche, Alec Maparura, Timycen Maruma, Johnson Marumisa, Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Shingarai Masakadza, Stuart Matsika, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tino Mawoyo, Evans Mujaji, Silent Mujaji, Steady Musoso, Forster Mutizwa (wk), Steven Nyamuzinga, Prosper Utseya

Westerns: Keith Dabengwa (capt), Romeo Kasawaya, Simbarashe Kusano, Mark Mabuza, Thabo Mboyi, Chris Mpofu,Evans Gutsa, Bornaparte Mujuru, Tawanda Mupariwa, Njabulo Ncube, Tafadzwa Ngulube (wk), John Nyumbu, Bradley Staddon, Greg Strydom

Centrals: Bothwell Chapungu, Patiant Charumbira, Eric Chauluka, Innocent Chikunya, Michael Chinouya, Gary Chirimuuta, Friday Kasteni, Tarisai Mahlunge (wk), Solomon Mire, Brighton Mugochi, Taurai Muzarabani, Remembrance Nyathi, Ed Rainsford (capt), Malcolm Waller

Star Players

Hamilton Masakadza

Masakadza had an excellent competition. As captain of Easterns, he played in all 5 of their matches - including the final - and batted 4 times. He scored a total of 267 runs without getting out, including one knock worth 101. He struck 7 sixes in total. With his medium pace deliveries, Masakadza was the third highest wicket taker of the tournament, behind Keith Dabengwa (8) and Prosper Utseya (7). He won the man of the series award for his allround efforts.

Brendan Taylor

Taylor missed out on that elusive Twenty20 century by 15 runs when he scored 85 not out against Southerns in the second match of the tournament. Batting first, Taylor opened the batting and guided the Northerns to 3/227 after 20 overs, before going on to record a massive 158 run win. He also scored a second half century, 63 not out, against Centrals, a match Northerns won by 9 wickets with 6 balls to spare. Taylor was the second highest run scorer of the tournament, smashing 168 runs at an average of 84.00.

See also

• Zimbabwe national cricket team
• Zimbabwe cricket union

References

1. ^ http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomestic/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=4201;type=tournament
2. ^ http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomestic/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=4201;type=tournament
3. ^ http://www.brmtaylor.com/domestic/metropolitan_bank_twenty20_06-07.html
4. ^ http://www.brmtaylor.com/domestic/metropolitan_bank_twenty20_07-08.html