adminRight arm pace bowler Querl picked up five wickets in 20.1 overs as Tuskers bowled out Mountaineers for 264 runs in 89.1 overs. In response, Matabeleland Tuskers had five runs for no loss in two overs.
Mountaineers captain Tinotenda Mawoyo won the toss and opted for first use of the batting track. That move proved to be unwise with the visitors losing their first wicket with just two runs on board, Kevin Kasuza dismissed by Querl who had him caught by Moeen Ali for a five-ball duck.
Some inept fielding allowed Mountaineers to consolidate their innings with Timycen Maruma top scoring for Mountaineers with 59 runs coming in to bat at number six. Mark Pettini, twice dropped by the usually reliable when it comes to fielding, Christopher Mpofu was the second best contributor with the bat for the men from the Eastern Highlands with 58 runs.
A last wicket stand of 33 runs between Natsai Mushangwe and Tendai Chatara did briefly frustrate Tuskers but Querl brought the Mountaineers innings to an end when Mushangwe was caught by Brian Chari.
Querl ended up with five wickets for 56 runs in the 20.1 overs, four of which went for no run. Left arm spinner Sean Williams picked up two wickets for 20 runs with two wickets for off spinner Ali while lanky fast bowler Mpofu picked up one wicket.
At the close of play last night, Tuskers had safely negotiated the two remaining overs in the day with the pair of Terrence Duffin and Chari the two batsmen at the crease.
The match enters its second day this morning with Tuskers looking at putting up a solid batting start.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter