adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
MARK Pettini’s unbeaten-136 set a firm foundation of 300 4 for Mountaineers at stumps on day one in their Logan Cup match against defending champions Matabeleland Tuskers at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The 30-year-old Englishman from Sussex punished the home side’s bowlers on a lifeless pitch as he batted through the whole day.
Visiting captian Tinotenda Mawoyo frustrated the Tuskers bowlers with his trademark patient batting after losing Kevin Kasuza (1) and Dan Housego (33), and went on to partner Pettini as the pair added 83 for the third wicket.
Mawoyo was trapped leg before by John Nyumbu after scoring his 24th career half century in first-class cricket, making 62 runs from 124 balls. Nyumbu struck again in his next over, removing Forster Mutizwa, after he had scored just three.
Pettini’s class was reflected in his partnership with 22-year-old Kudzai Sauramba for a remarkable unbeaten stand of 130 runs for the fifth wicket from the second session till stumps, lasting 33.3 overs.
Sauramba, a former national Under-19 player, finished the day unbeaten on 55, his third half century in first-class cricket.
Meanwhile, in the match between the Southern Rocks and Mashonaland Eagles at Masvingo Sports Club, Tafadzwa Muzarawetu took a career-best 8-27 runs in 18 overs which restricted the Rocks to just 196.
At stumps the Eagles were also reeling at 43-3. Bernard Mlambo top scored for the Rocks with an unbeaten 61.
Taurai Muzarabani and Nathan Waller took the first two wickets before the young right-arm medium bowler destroyed the hosts.
Misfiring openers Samuel Mwakayeni and Keith Kondo did not complement the good work by their bowler as they went cheaply.
Online Reporter