adminTANAKA Chivanga took four wickets for 53 runs at Harare Sports Club on Sunday as Eagles bowled Rhinos out for 190 in their second innings and cantered home to an easy victory by nine wickets.
Rhinos began the final day of this Logan Cup match on 39 for two wickets in their second innings, having conceded a first-innings lead of 126.
The best they could hope for was a draw, and more batting as in their first innings of 455 would achieve this easily.
However, only Remembrance Nyathi showed resolve and a steady fall of wickets saw Rhinos slide slowly towards an avoidable defeat.
The overnight pair consisted of the Glamorgan professional Kiran Carlson on 15 and Ryan Burl on three.
Both failed to follow through on a good start to their innings, Carlson falling for 17 and Burl for 19.
While Nyathi fought it out admirably, his next two partners also reached double figures but little more: Johnathan Campbell went for 13 and Nyasha Mayavo 15.
Chivanga came on for another spell to bowl out Mayavo and then trap Brandon Mavuta lbw without scoring in the same over.
When Nyathi was finally caught by Nick Welch off Tapiwa Mufudza for 45 off 95 balls, Eagles must have known the match was theirs.
Trevor Gwandu played one of the attacking innings he sometimes comes up with for the tail scoring 37 off 47 balls before he was out lbw to Wessly Madhevere.
When Mike Chinouya was the last man out for a stubborn six, Rhinos had been dismissed for a disappointing 190 and Eagles needed only 65 runs for victory.
Chivanga’s four wickets made him the most successful bowler, while Brad Evans and Madhevere took two each.
Scorecards
Rhinos – 455 and 190 all out in 55.3 overs (Remembrance Nyathi 45, Trevor Gwandu 37, Ryan Burl 19; Tanaka Chivanga 4/53, Wessly Madhevere 2/28, Brad Evans 2/29)
Eagles – 581 and 68-1 in 9 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 34, Kudzai Maunze 26*, Craig Ervine 7*; Johnathan Campbell 1/17)
Eagles won by nine wickets
Tuskers – 366 and 212 all out in 54.4 overs (Ainsley Ndlovu 42, Tanunurwa Makoni 37, Taffy Mupariwa 27; Privilege Chesa 6/86, Roy Kaia 2/54, Innocent Kaia 1/25)
Southern Rocks – 337 and 165 all out in 51.1 overs (Richmond Mutumbami 36, Keith Jaure 27*, William Mashinge 27; Sean Williams 6/47, Ainsley Ndlovu 3/56, Nkosana Mpofu 1/18)
Tuskers won by 76 runs – Zimcricket
Online Reporter