The Plumtree first eleven has lost a lot of valuable players from the previous squad. Therefore there has been an introduction of some young talent in the squad. Last year's season saw the squad going on a tour of Zimbabwe, which was very successful. The cricket festival went very well with notable performances by the likes of Terrence Duffin who managed a brilliant 198 runs against Jameson. He went on to score seven centuries and three fifties during the season. He has since left the squad and is currently at the Cricket Academy.

During the festival and tour we had two junior players, G. Hudson and M. Mabuza, who have since joined the first eleven for this season. They had a commendable season in the junior side with both of them making the Matabeleland U16 side. On tour they opened the batting for the first team and played well considering the pressure they had to face. G. Hudson has shown that he can play good shots, favouring the cover drive. He is also a very reliable leg-spinner and took most of the wickets for the juniors last year.

Mabuza, who has an excellent eye for the ball, bats at four. He has shown time and again that he can stay at the crease for very long periods of time, leaving the good balls and punishing the bad ones with some well-timed shots. He is a right-arm medium-pace seam bowler and generates a lot of reverse swing. Another player who came from the junior side is C. Pholi who is an excellent right-arm medium-pace bowler. His action is pure poetry and is absolutely breathtaking. He has captured many wickets and could prove to be our best bowler this season.

A very valuable player is R. Lombard who is currently our best batsman. He returns after a good season last year. He also currently plays for Queens first team and has shown great ability. His bowling is his main attribute, bowling right-arm leg-spin. He has a very economical rate and has taken valuable wickets in the past. Another player who had a great season is C. Makotose who bats very well at five. He is the biggest hitter in the side and has won games for the side with disabling sixes against the opposition. He is a left-arm seam bowler and has taken wickets consistently. His fielding is of a high level and has made great catches and saved runs in the past.

The best bowler in last year's side was G. Dube who was by far the most economical bowler with the most wickets taken. He has great ability and should do well this season. The captain of the side is J. Rogers who bats at two and opens the bowling attack. He has proved that he is an all-rounder and should be successful this year.

The first part of the season (first term) sees the side facing Falcon, Midlands Christian College, Christian Brothers College, Petra and lastly Milton (a two-day game), which happens to be the 155th in the series between the sides. In accordance with this an internal game will be played every Sunday to help improve cricket in the school and also to source out any up and coming players. The Sunday fixture will include Under-16, second- and first-team players arranged into two competitive sides.

The team has a strong bowling attack with six very competent bowlers. To complement them the team has a good wicketkeeper, H. Dube, who has superb reflexes. Unfortunately the team has a serious problem with their batting. There is not enough depth and this could be costly to the team. Players can play good shots but do not have the required maturity and concentration at the crease. Hopefully the team will overcome their problems and have a successful season.

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