By Ashley Dube
The
Tuskers sealed a magnificent 28 run victory on day 4 of their match against The
Midwest Rhinos in a pulsating encounter at Harare Sports club.
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| Pic - Zimcricket.org |
The
Tuskers needed 10 wickets on the final day to retain top spot and they faced
stern resistance from openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (65) and Prince Masvaure
who got his 8th first class century with a well-played 103 off 218
balls.
Masvaure
also crossed the 5000 run mark in first class cricket. Following the departure
of the two openers, Charles Kunje and Ryan Burl departed cheaply with
relatively low scores.
Carl Mumba and Jonathan Campbell brought the Rhinos back into the match with an impressive partnership - Mumba being the aggressor scoring at a rate of 86.36 whereas Jonathan Campbell's strike was just over 60 for his 54.
Starts came for skipper Mavuta (28 off 27) as well as wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo (27) gave the Rhinos hope. But they were dismantled by left arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu who finished with figures of 5-71.
Clive
Madande top scored in Tuskers' first innings with a brilliant 93 before he was
caught behind off the bowling of Carl Mumba.
The
up-and-coming wicketkeeper-batsman was supported by skipper Taffy Mupariwa
solid 52 up the order, experienced batter Brian Chari also chipped in with 54
as well as bowler Masuku finishing with 40.
The
Rhinos were bowled out for 245 runs, trailing by 102 runs. Charles Kunje top
scored with 88 and Prince Masvaure chipped in with 52 were the only two knocks
of significance as the rest of the batting line up failed to settle on the
crease.
Ernest
Masuku and John Nyumbu both claimed 3 scalps each. With a buffer of 100 run
lead, the Tuskers came out aggressively in their second innings with Chevron
skipper Craig Ervine notching another hundred and Brian Chari with a valuable
77.
Milton
Shumba (44) and Luke Jongwe (41) were denied a chance to get to their
respective milestones as Mupariwa declared in order to give bowlers ample time
to win the match.
Meanwhile
at Old Hararians Sports Club, the Mountaineers thrashed the Alliance Health Eagles
by 10 wickets as they temporarily leapfrogged the Tuskers at the top standings.
Brilliant
bowling displays up front by pacer Victor Nyauchi (4-47) and Wellington
Masakadza (4-31) set the tone for the match as they bowled out the Eagles for
181 runs. Mountaineers put a solid batting display as they managed to score
328.
Ben
Compton top scored with 102. There were fifties for Clive Chitumba (54) and surprisingly for number 11
batsman Tinashe Muchawaya who blitzed to a quick-fire 50 comprising 5 maximums
as well.
Wessly
Madhevere got his best bowling figures in first class cricket finishing with
7-105.
The
Eagles' batting was woeful in the second innings as they were bowled out for 161
setting the Mountaineers a target of 19 runs.
Wellington
Masakadza who has been enjoying a fantastic season in the 2021-22 Logan Cup season was
the pick of the bunch finishing with figures of 4-21.
The
openers Ben Compton and Kevin Kasuza made light work of the small chase as the
Mountaineers won by 10 wickets.
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