Batsmen shine in Logan Cup

BATTERS stole the show on the fourth round of the country’s First-Class cricket competition the Logan Cup which ended on Saturday, with runs free flowing from their bats.

From the two matches that took place, eight batters managed to lift their bats after reaching the triple figure mark. Two of the players managed to score a triple and double hundred in the past round of games.

The two matches that took place saw Rhinos add on to Tuskers’ misery with an innings and 40 runs win while Mega Market Mountaineers and Eagles played out an interesting draw.

The eight batters who managed to reach triple figures were Antum Naqvi, Dion Myers, Nkosana Mpofu, Hamid Ali, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Timycen Maruma and Kevin Kasuza.

However, it was Naqvi and Myers who stood tall among all the other batters.

Naqvi made history at Takashinga Cricket Club on Friday (Day Three) when he became the first batter ever to record a triple-century for any Zimbabwean team.

The 24-year-old finished on an unbeaten career best 300 runs off 295 runs helping Rhinos score a mammoth 538/3 (declared) while surpassing Cephas Zhuwao (265 runs), Ray Gripper (279 runs not out) and Brian Davison (299 runs).

It was also a memorable outing for Myers who managed to score his career best score in First Class cricket with a brilliant double century. The 21-year-old notched up a splendid 204 runs not out off 270 balls in the second innings of the match where two other Mountaineers batters scored centuries.

Kevin Kasuza also proved lethal with the bat as he fell for 101 runs from 76 balls while skipper, Timycen Maruma scored his ninth First Class ton with 110 runs after facing just 97 balls.

In that same match, Tadiwanashe Marumani scored his second First Class century that helped Eagles salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat. He also managed to score a career best of an unbeaten 144 runs off 141 balls.

In the game between Tuskers and Rhinos where Naqvi made history, Ben Curran also scored big for Rhinos with 124 runs off 283 deliveries. Tuskers’ Nkosana Mpofu and Hamid Ali made gallant tons that, however, did not save their team from a huge defeat. Mpofu made 102 runs from 273 balls while Ali remained undefeated on 124 runs after facing 147 balls.

As batters stole the show on match Week Four, some bowlers managed to stand tall with ball in hand.

Rhinos’ Michael Chinouya finished with match figures of 9/97 including first innings figures of 5/31 and 3/66 in the second innings.

Eagles’ Alex Russell also managed to put up a brilliant spell with the ball, taking 10 wickets for 264 runs. In the first innings, he claimed match figures of 6/72 in 14 overs before going on to take 4/192 (29 overs) in the second innings. Russell and Chinouya were the only two bowlers who managed to have fifers (in a single innings).

After match-Week Four, lead the standings with 68 points followed by Southern Rocks on 57 points and Eagles on 54 points.

The bottom two teams are Rhinos on 53 points and Tuskers with 50 points.

Tuskers are the only team to yet to win.

The Logan Cup resumes with fifth round matches tomorrow with a match between Tuskers and Eagles while Mountaineers will be up against Southern Rocks. – @brandon_malvin