HARARE - Coca Cola Pro 50 champions Mashonaland Eagles hope to begin their title defence with a convincing win over new-look Southern Rocks in a season opener at Harare Sports Club today.

Mash Eagles coach Kevin Curran and his charges will enjoy home advantage when they host Masvingo based Southern Rocks this morning before engaging the same opponent in a Twenty20 match at the same venue tomorrow.

“The guys have been working pretty hard in training both in the physical and technical aspects of the game and hopefully they can have a good outing tomorrow (today),” Curran told the Daily News yesterday.

Rocks were the punching bag of every team in last year’s domestic franchise but have since roped in Logan Cup winning coach Dave Houghton from Matabeleland Tusker in an effort to overturn fortunes.

Besides the arrival of the former Zimbabwe national team coach, Rocks have also signed seamer Trevor Garwe from the Eagles while all- rounder Chamu Chibhabha moved in the opposite direction.

National team returnee Tawanda Mupariwa was also signed by rocks from Tuskers as well as batsman Bothwell Chapungu from Midwest Rhinos.

Rocks also boast British overseas professionals in Ben Slater and Peter Burgoyne, who are on the books of English County Championship side Derbyshire.

“They are a new look team, they have a new coach and new players but the bottom line is that we need to play our basics and cultivate a winning mentality just like we did last season,” Curran added.

Meanwhile, Heath Streak will be making his coaching debut when Matabeleland Tuskers meet Mountaineers at Queens Sports Club today.

The national team bowling coach took over from Houghton who left for the Rocks.