adminMehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
LEFT hander Keith Dabengwa scored a composed half century while off spinner John Nyumbu took five wickets to put Matabeleland Tuskers back into contention against Mountaineers after a double century from English batsman Mark Pettini.
It was his career best score in first class cricket on the second day of the Logan Cup four-day cricket match between the two teams at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
Dabengwa was unbeaten on 61 runs as Tuskers closed the second day’s proceedings on 165 runs for the loss of three wickets in 48 overs in the first innings, 270 runs behind Mountaineers with seven wickets in hand.
Mountaineers were bowled out for 435 runs in their first innings, an innings built around the 209 runs from English import Pettini in an innings where Nyumbu claimed five wickets.
The match went into the second day with Mountaineers resuming from their first day overnight score of 300 runs for the loss of four wickets, Pettini on 136 runs while his batting partner Kudzai Sauramba was on 55 runs.
Mountaineers added 20 runs to their first day score before they lost their fifth wicket, Saurumba run out by wicketkeeper Tony Mupariwa for 61 runs.
The visitors suffered no further loss of wickets going into the break, Pettini on 193 runs, Wellington Masakadza on 17 as the visitors ended the morning session on 385 for five in 116 overs.
Pettini reached his second first class double hundred with four runs off debutant Bruce Sibanda’s bowling, the double century coming off 264 with 21 of those balls despatched for four.
Masakadza was the sixth Mountaineers wicket to fall, dismissed by Nyumbu who had him stumped by Tony Mupariwa for 33 runs. Pettini fell for 209 runs, his highest first class score, sent on his way by Godwill Mamhiyo, caught at long on by Nkosana Mpofu to bring an end to his innings which saw him occupy the crease for 377 minutes.
Nyumbu and Mamhiyo finished off the remaining Mountaineers batsmen with Nyumbu picking up five wickets for 104 runs in the 38 overs he bowled, five of those overs not costing a run. There were two wickets for Mamhiyo, one wicket apiece for pace bowlers Tawanda Mupariwa and Stephen Chimhamhiwa.
Needing a bright start with the bat, Tuskers were one wicket down with 41 runs on the board when Mpofu in his first class debut was trapped leg before wicket by off spinner Tapiwa Mufudza for 13 runs.
Brian Chari did not last in the middle, bowled by left arm spinner Masakadza for 14 runs.
Bonaparte Mujuru fell three runs short of a half century, losing his wicket to medium pace bowler Donald Tiripano for 47 runs.
It was left to the experienced Dabengwa to restore order in the Tuskers batting. The left hander found an able partner in Mamhiyo as the pair safely negotiated the remaining overs. Dabengwa was 61 runs not out while Mamhiyo was also unconquered on 20 runs.
The match goes into the third day this morning with Tuskers looking to bat for most of the day and reduce the Mountaineers lead while they also try to get ahead of their opponents.
Online Reporter