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Sports Reporter
ENGLISH county cricket side, Durham exploited Zimbabwe A’s poor batting to win their opening three-day game by nine wickets inside two days.
Durham lost just one wicket in 15.4 overs chasing a mere 62 to win.
The tourists were in total control of the game on Day Two after a seemingly balanced opening day.
Resuming on 187/6, Durham added 118 more runs for the remaining four wickets to finish on 305 all out, a lead of 110.
It was a disappointing morning for Zimbabwe A bowlers and the consolation was left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu claiming five wickets for 85 in 21 overs.
Number four batsman Colin Ackerman led the assault with a match winning 130 off 145 balls while the second highest contribution came from opener and captain Scott Borthwick with 53 from 69 balls.
Ackerman was actually on his first-class debut for Durham.
Zimbabwe A’s lack of killer instinct was exploited by number eight Ben Raine who made an innings third highest score of 51 off 73 balls and number 10 Callum Parkinson who scored an unbeaten 37 off 62 balls.
Faced with a deficit of 110, a lot was expected of the Zimbabwe A batsmen especially considering the number of centuries recorded in the just-ended Logan Cup.
However, Zimbabwe A had already lost six wickets by the time they erased the deficit in the 29th over.
In the end, Zimbabwe A were bundled out for 171 in 39.5 overs with a topscore of 56 off 74 balls from Brian Bennett while no other batsman reached 50.
There were 17 bowling extras to help Zimbabwe A’s total somewhat.
Callum Parkinson took six wickets for 58 in 15 overs of left-arm spin.
It was a productive surface for left-arm spinners after Ndlovu’s five-for earlier.
The target was 62 and it was never going to trouble the visitors who made sure there would be no need for the final day today.
Durham will no longer lose the series while Zimbabwe A must now win the second and final three-day game that starts at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Failing to reach 200 in both innings and managing just two fifties will be very worrying for Zimbabwe A.
It also raises questions on the standards of the local first class cricket where countless centuries were scored in the Logan Cup won by the Mountaineers last week.
Online Reporter