ASHLEY DUBE
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Eagles v Tuskers, Takashinga Sports Club.
HARARE – Matthew Welch shone on his first class debut as he finished unbeaten on 81 when stumps were called on Day 3 with his side on 115-0.
Welch had come on as a substitute for fellow opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe who has been called up to the national as a replacement for the injured Craig Ervine took his opportunity with both hands with superb batting.
The Eagles were following on, as they were bowled for 232, failing to build on Kamunhukamwe’s maiden first class century in the first innings.
Defeat was on the cards but Welch and fellow opener Lavert Masunda proved resolute going into Day 4.
This was aided by the flat pitch and the decision to follow might have backfired on the fielding side as the sweltering heat is taking a toll on the team.
Going into the final day Welch had a chance of achieving the rare feat of scoring a century on his first-class debut, but unfortunately it was not to be as he was run out for 90—an innings that took him 165 balls and contained three sixes and eight fours.
However a stonewall innings from Lavert Masunda of 78 off 326 ensured the Eagles avoided defeat. The captains shook hands on 311-5, sharing the spoils.
The Tuskers had declared on Day 2 on 503-8, with Brian Chari leading the charge with a career best 155. He was supported by Aliakbar Hamid who fell 16 short of his hundred as well as Awad Naqvi (89).
Mountaineers v Rocks, Mutare Sports Club
MUTARE – At Mutare Sports Club, Mountaineers crashed the Southern Rocks by 169 runs. The Southern Rocks were on 50-7 coming into Day 4, still requiring 201 for victory. It was a mammoth task to avoid defeat.
Following an impressive first innings with the bat where they declared with 405 runs on the board getting a slender lead of just five runs.
Jonathan Campbell top scored with his maiden first class hundred, was heavily supported with fifties from Roy Kaia (74), Innocent Kaia (66) and Richmond Mutumbami (58).
The match titled from a batting friendly encounter to the bowling side, showing the beauty of red ball cricket as the Mountaineers trudged to 255 all out setting 251 to win for the Rocks.
Joylord Gumbie and Salman Mirza top scored for the Manicaland side. Tariro Makauyo (40) and Kevin Kasuza (44) also chipped in with solid totals.
Leg spinner Priviledge Chesa was excellent for the Rocks with four wickets followed by William Mashinge who took a couple.
The target seemed to be in reach for the Rocks with one and day half of action remaining but they capitulated as they failed to adjust to the deteriorating Mutare Sports Club pitch.
Salman Mirza, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara ripped through the batting line up getting six wickets between them.
The Mountaineers going into Day 4 needed three wickets to win, and they rose to the task, taking all three wickets in the morning session, securing the impressive win.
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