Zimbabwe Emerging beat SA Emerging in the opening encounter

ASHLEY DUBE

The Zimbabwe Cricket Emerging side opened their South Africa tour on a high note with a six wicket win over their South Africans counterparts in the opening one-day fixture at the Groenkloof Oval.

Zimbabwe cricket emerging side tour to south africa

A trio of half centuries from Joylord Gumbie (76), Milton Shumba who finished unbeaten on 74 as well as Clive Madande who was unbeaten on 61 were the backbone of a fairly remarkable chase of 252.

Zimbabwe were put on to bowl first and following a steady start from the openers where they put on 57.

Chivanga broke the partnership bowling out Richards on 27. Hermann and Kitime added another 50 plus stand before they went out, both in quick succession.

First Valentine Kitime was bowled by Brandon Mavuta, then Hermann on 50 was caught out by Nyauchi off the bowling of Madhevere.

From there on, the Zimbabwe bowling unit played excellently as they did not allow South Africa to knit up more solid partnerships. Michael Copeland’s counter attacking 45 off 37 balls elevated the score to 251-9 off their 50 overs.

Tanaka Chivanga finished with the best bowling figures of 4-60 from his 9. Ample support came from the spinners with Brendon Mavuta getting 3-54 from his 10 over quota whilst Wessly Madhevere and Milton Shumba got a wicket a piece.

In response Zimbabwe made light work of the chase reaching the target with 34 balls to spare. Milton Shumba was named player of the match following his solid all-round display.