By Ashley Dube & Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza
The Matabeleland Tuskers clinched their fifth Zimbabwe Logan Cup title – their first since 2015 – following the defeat of
arch rivals Mountaineers who lost by 7 wickets to the Southern Rocks.
The Mountaineers cricket team needed at least a draw against the
Rocks to take the trophy home. However, a brilliant second wicket stand between
Cephas Zhuwao and Tadiwanashe Marumani of 221 on day one of the match (the
highest in this season’s Logan cup) threw a spanner in the works and in turn,
played a significant role in handing the trophy to the Tuskers.
Following Innocent Kaia’s early departure as he was caught leg
before off the bowling of Tendai Chatara, Cephas Zhuwao joined Marumani to the
crease.
Zhuwao was at his aggressively blistering best, ripping apart the
Mountaineers to shreds en-route to his 152 off 168 balls. His innings comprised
18 fours and 6 maximums, at a strike rate of 90.48.
Where Zhuwao assumed the aggressive role, Marumani played an
anchoring role superbly and was unfortunate for not getting a century of his
own as he fell for 93 off 243 balls, spending more than five hours in the
middle.
The Southern Rocks’ middle order chipped away with valuable
starts; with Mutumbami (19), Roy Kaia (25) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (37) all keeping
the scorers busy as they built on the solid foundation laid by Zhuwao and
Marumani.
Down the order, bowling all-rounders William Mashinge (80) and
Tendai Chisoro (46) built another devastating partnership as they threatened to
reach 500 in their first innings.
Eventually, the Rocks were bowled out for an impressive 477. Tendai
Chatara (4-80) and Wellington Masakadza (4-92) were the pick of the
Mountaineers’ bowling attack.
The Mountaineers in response failed to avoid the follow-on as they
were bowled for 265. With the conspicuous absence of consistent
opener Ben Compton, the Mountaineers had to make changes to their batting
line-up and surprisingly sent Wellington Masakadza to open the batting.
The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Wellington Masakadza
scored 92 runs off 201 balls. To the Mountaineers’ downfall, Masakadza’s
batting bravado was devoid of partners at the other end, with the exception of
Tony Munyonga whom he combined for a 165 run stand.
Munyonga was bowled by Privilege Chesa after scoring 79 runs.
Cuthbert Musoko delivered a brilliantly satisfying bowling performance,
finishing with figures of 5-15 from 14.2 overs.
With the Mountaineers following on, they sent on Kevin Kasuza and
Donald Tiripano for some defensive solidity in search of the priceless draw for
the title. But following their departure, a mini collapse ensued and they found
themselves in all sorts of trouble at 90-5.
Veteran Timycen Maruma displayed some valiant resistance with his
67. Tail enders Tinashe Muchawaya (43) and Tendai Chatara (25) showed some
fight, building a slender lead of 57 in the process.
The cricket gods seemed to have smiled on the Mountaineers as rain
came down midway through the third session at Harare Sports Club and the match
was headed for a draw. However, rain cleared and the covers came off; and the
Rocks chased down the score for the loss of 3 wickets, handing the glory of
this season's first-class Zimbabwe domestic cricket league to the Matabeleland
Tuskers.
At Old Hararians Sports Club, the Rhinos’ wretched form continued
as they fell by 157 runs to the Alliance Health Eagles in a low-scoring
encounter.
The Eagles batted first and were bowled out for 169 with debutant
Ronald Masocha finishing with figures of 5-28.
In response, the Rhinos were bundled out for 162 with Richard
Ngarava (3-37), Brad Evans (3-31) and Wessly Madhevere (3-26) all shining with
the ball for the Eagles.
Will Fraine’s 85 was pivotal as the Eagles put 231 runs on the
board for their second innings. Veteran ex-Chevron bowler Mike Chinouya
finished with figures of 4-48.
A target of 238 looked attainable for the Rhinos but they all fell
for a paltry 81 with only three batsman managing to put up double figure
scores. Brad Evans was instrumental yet again with 3-25 and Wessly Madhevere
who was named player of the match finishing with figures of 2-19.
The top performers in
the Zimbabwe Logan Cup 2021-22 season include:
Craig Ervine
The Chevrons skipper was arguably the player of the season and his
impressive batting displays were central to the Tuskers’ title charge. Ervine
finished the season as the leading run scorer with 629 runs at a tremendous
average of 78.62
Ben Compton
Englishman Compton was the backbone of the Mountaineers batting
line up as he led almost a relatively inexperienced Mountaineers batting line
up to the Logan Cup title contention. Compton finished with 479 runs and had
the best average in the division of 79.83.
Kudzai Maunze
Maunze epitomized consistency at the top of the order of the
Eagles batting attack, finishing the season with 530 runs, only behind Craig
Ervine in the scoring charts at an average of 37.85.
Roy Kaia and Richmond Mutumbami
First class stalwarts Roy Kaia and Richmond Mutumbami produced
stellar numbers for the Southern Rocks this season. Roy Kaia finished with 444
runs at an average of 49.33, whereas Mutumbami finished as the third highest
run scorer with 520 runs at an average of 52.20 which was also in turn the
third best batting average of the season.
Clive Madande
Clive Madande showed class and grit in his rookie year with his
array of excellent cricket shots and capability to grind and see out trouble on
the crease. He managed to get his maiden first class hundred against the Eagles
facing the fastest bowling attacks bowling attack on the domestic scene
comprising of Tanaka Chivanga and Richard Ngarava. He has been earmarked as the
replacement of Regis Chakabva as the next wicketkeeper batsman for the Chevrons
though his work behind the stumps needs improving. Fortunately for Madande, at
20, he has time on his side to work on his game. He finished the season with
407 runs at an average of 50.87. His impressive form did not go unnoticed as he
was called up for the Sri Lanka tour in January.
Wessly Madhevere
Although his international form has dipped, Wessly Madhevere was
solid this season with both bat and ball. He also got his maiden first class
hundred this season as he finished the season with 426 runs at a healthy
average of 42.60. Madhevere’s bowling improved significantly as well this
season finishing the season with 20 scalps at an average of 22.10. He got his
best figures of 7-105 against runners up Mountaineers.
Wellington Masakadza
Wellington Masakadza primarily known for his bowling prowess,
showed incredible batting displays throughout this year’s Logan cup. In seven
matches Masakadza finished with 364 runs at an average of 40.44 and 35 wickets
at an average of 16.43
Ernest Masuku
The Tuskers new ball expert finished with the highest number of
wickets in this season Logan cup with 38 wickets at an average of 23.44.
Victor Nyauchi
A national team recall may be imminent for Nyauchi as he finished
with 32 wickets (third in the wicket charts) at an average of 16.43, the joint
best bowling average this season.
Tanaka Chivanga
Touted the fastest bowler on the domestic scene Chivanga finished
the season with 25 wickets at an average of 18.72 plying his trade for the
Alliance health Eagles.
Other notable top performers include Rhinos pair Brandon Mavuta
and opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano as well as fast bowlers Tendai Chatara and
Brad Evans who also had good seasons for their respective franchises.
The Logan Cup
The Logan Cup is the “premier” first-class domestic
cricket league in Zimbabwe, having been originated with the 1993-1994 season.
This followed Zimbabwe's promotion to Test status in 1992. The Rocks were the
winners of the 2020-21 season. The Eagles have won the most Logan Cup titles,
nine in total. The Logan Cup was named after James Douglas Logan, one of the “founding fathers” of South African cricket – who
gave Rhodesian cricket teams a cup to compete for in 1903. And here is the
Logan Cup 2021-22 team of the season by 3-mob.com.
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