Vusumuzi Dube
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
BOWLERS guided Tuskers to victory by 43 runs victory over Alliance Health Eagles in their opening match of the Pro50 Championship domestic cricket competition that was played at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Tuskers were sent in to bat first after losing the toss and were bowled out for 194 in 44.1 overs. The seemingly low total was however, not too little for the bowlers to defend as they managed to bowl out their opponents for 151 in 33.4 overs.
Opening batter Tanunurwa Makoni was key with the bat for the Bulawayo-based side as he scored 64 runs. Alvin Chiradza played a crucial knock as well, scoring 58 runs after coming in to bat at number five.
Off spinner Tapiwa Mufudza was the pick of the bowlers for Eagles, finishing with figures of 4/26 in his 10 overs while Hamid Ali took three wickets for 21 runs in 4.1 overs.
Tasked with defending what seemed like a below par total in 50 over matches, the Tuskers bowlers came to the party, courtesy of Tanatswa Bechani’s splendid display with the ball.
Supported by pace bowler Sheunopa Musekwa who took the wickets of Eagles’ top three, Bechani finished with 4-27 in 9.4 overs. Musekwa had 3/24 in just four overs while fellow seamer Ernest Masuku took two wickets to guide Tuskers to a comfortable win.
Bechani was voted player of the match for his outstanding innings with the ball.
The team’s second match of the campaign is against Eagles again tomorrow at the same venue. – Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter