Online Reporter
An excellent opening spell of bowling from Kundai Matigimu put Eagles in control against Tuskers from the outset, setting the tone for a dominant performance in the first match of the 2024/25 Domestic T20 Competition at Harare Sports Club on Monday afternoon.
Eagles cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket victory with almost seven overs to spare.
Matigimu struck early, removing Tuskers openers Brian Chari and Tanunurwa Makoni in his first two overs, and the batting side never recovered.
There was some resistance from the middle order, with Nkosana Mpofu (27), Tafara Mupariwa (37) and Luke Jongwe (20) all making useful contributions.
However, none were able to anchor the innings and push Tuskers to a more competitive total.
In the end, they managed 133 for eight, with Matigimu finishing with impressive figures of three for 21.
Eagles opening batters Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, with 52 off 32 balls, and Tadiwanashe Marumani, with 55 off 33 deliveries, almost swept away the target between them as they put on 104 for the first wicket in only 9.2 overs.
Ainsley Ndlovu dismissed both batters, but the damage had already been done.
Craig Ervine, with five not out, and Dion Myers, with 14 not out, comfortably guided Eagles to victory, sealing a commanding start to their campaign.
Meanwhile, Brian Bennett’s superb 70 off 52 balls was more than double the score of almost every other batter in the second match at Harare Sports Club on Monday night, but, with little support from his teammates, Mountaineers crumbled to a 23-run defeat at the hands of Rhinos.
Rhinos batted first, posting a competitive total of 164 for eight, thanks to contributions from five players who scored 20 or more.
Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (21) and Ben Curran (29) laid a solid foundation, followed by Ryan Burl’s 20.
The most aggressive innings came from Kevin Kasuza, who smashed 32 off just 17 balls, striking two sixes and three fours.
He was followed by Nyasha Mayavo, who in 20 balls made the top score of 34 not out.
Victor Nyauchi was Mountaineers’ standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 24 runs.
Mountaineers looked on course for victory when Bennett and Ashley Mufandauya (37) put on a crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket in 10 overs.
However, once Mufandauya fell, the middle order crumbled.
Bennett fought hard, hitting a six and seven fours, but with no steady partner, he was dismissed as the sixth wicket – leaving 28 runs needed off the final nine balls.
Mountaineers were bowled out for 141 with two balls to spare.
Hendrichs Macheke was the pick of the Rhinos bowlers, taking four wickets for 22 runs in his four-over spell, while Brad Evans cleaned up the tail to also finish with four, for 26.
Brief scores
Tuskers – 133-8 in 20 overs (Tafara Mupariwa 37, Nkosana Mpofu 27, Luke Jongwe 20; Kundai Matigimu 3/21, Richard Ngarava 2/19, Tinotenda Maposa 2/26)
Eagles – 135-2 in 13.1 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 55, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 52, Dion Myers 14*; Ainsley Ndlovu 2/29)
Result: Eagles won by eight wickets
….
Rhinos – 164-8 in 20 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 34*, Kevin Kasuza 32, Ben Curran 29; Victor Nyauchi 3/24, Alistair Frost 2/16, Tendai Chatara 2/24)
Mountaineers – 141 all out in 19.4 overs (Brian Bennett 70, Ashley Mufandauya 37, Nick Welch 13; Hendrichs Macheke 4/22, Brad Evans 4/26, Ryan Burl 1/17)
Result: Rhinos won by 23 runs
