SOUTHERN Rocks have bounced back as the 5th franchise ahead of the Zimbabwe Cricket 2020/21 domestic season, six years after they were disbanded.
The club which last played in the elite domestic competitions in the 2013-14 season, has replaced the Alistair Campbell High-Performance Centre team that failed to have a new academy intake this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
National team batting coach and Eagles head coach, Stuart Matsikenyere said having the fifth franchise is good for competition and also for the development and of players as it accords game time to many players.
“The coming back of Rocks is very good for the national team as this means more game time to other players and thus translating into a larger pool of players,” he said.
“Look there are youngsters who are coming up and their development was being stifled by lack of playing time, now other players will move and they get games.”
The Eagles coach added that the new move by Zimbabwe Cricket to get senior players’ transition into coaching is the best way forward.
“This is good news, it’s the best it means you have more cricket brains in cricket and naturally that’s how it’s supposed to be, and it will aid in the development of the game in Zimbabwe.”
The Eagles completed a week of training this Friday and will be looking to stamp their authority in the elite domestic competition.
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