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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWe national cricket team captain Craig Ervine showed the way in the first round of the Logan Cup after scoring the first century of the domestic First Class cricket competition at the weekend.
Ervine (153) and Eagles teammate Chamu Chibhabha (149) played key innings in the 101-runs victory over visiting Southern Rocks at Old Hararians Sports Club.
The victory set the tone for the two-time Logan Cup winners, who are scheduled to unveil new sponsorship in Harare this afternoon.
Eagles raked up 517 runs in their first innings before declaring at 99/4 in the second. There were also half centuries from Kudzai Maunze (73) and Wessly Madhevere (58*). Debutant Sydney Murombo took 3-51 for Rocks.
National team fringe player Tadiwanashe Marumani also scored a half century in Eagles’ second innings. There was also some decent bowling from the Harare side as they restricted Southern Rocks to 167 runs and then 348 runs on the final day.
Madhevere took 3-39 and Tapiwa Mufudza 2-38. Brad Evans bowled 16 overs and conceded just 31 runs for his two wickets.
Rocks struggled in the first innings but they improved in the second innings with half centuries from Cephas Zhuwao (52), Brian Mudziganyama (53), Tafadzwa Tsiga (65) and William Mashinge (69).
But their total of 348 runs was not enough. Evans finished with 3-70 from his 24 overs and Madhevere 3-86 in 27 overs.
The match between Mid-West Rhinos and Mega Market Mountaineers did not produce centurions.
But Rhinos’ overseas player Kiran Carlson came close with his 92 runs as the Midlands side won by 25 runs. Carlson is a Welsh cricketer who plays professional cricket for Glamorgan County Cricket Club in England.
He is a right-handed middle order batsman and occasional off-break bowler. He is now playing his second season at Rhinos.
There was also a 50 from Jonathan Campbell, who faced just 56 balls for his half ton. National team all-rounder Rayn Burl departed without scoring in the first innings but Rhinos still managed to get 280 runs despite the impressive bowling from Mountaineers.
Mountaineers’ Donald Tiripano took the first four-for with his 4-57 while Victor Nyauchi had 3-57.
Top order batsman Spencer Magodo made his First Class debut with Mountaineers and was just two runs short of a memorable half ton when he was taken out for 48 runs.
Teammate Tony Munyonga scored back-to-back fifties in a losing cause for the Manicaland-based outfit. He scored 66 runs while former Zimbabwe national team player PJ Moor’s (56) gave them a fighting chance when they reached 271 runs in the first innings.
But this was a match for the bowlers as Tafara Chingwara of Southern Rocks was the first to bag a five-wicket haul with his 5-78. Brandon Mavuta also made a vital contribution of 3-85 from his 24 overs.
Former Zimbabwe Under-17 player Eddie Byrom was the only batter with a decent score in Rhinos’ second innings after scoring 61 runs.
Byrom is a Zimbabwe-born left-hander with an Irish passport and currently plays his cricket at Somerset in England. Rhinos made 261 runs in the second innings and had a healthy target to defend.
Wellington Masakadza of Mountaineers was the second player to grab a five-wicket haul with his 5-37 in the second innings against Rhinos.
Mountaineers middle order batsman Munyonga scored 89 runs for his second half ton, but his team only managed 212 runs and fell 25 runs short on the third day.
There were First Class debuts for Munashe Chipara (Eagles), Sydney Murombo and Takudzwa Chataira (both Rocks)
The next four-day fixtures are pencilled in for this Thursday as Tuskers begin the defence of their title against Rocks at Old Hararians Sports Club, with Rhinos and Eagles tussling it out at Harare Sports Club.
The following round of matches, scheduled for December 10-13, will pit Tuskers against Rhinos at Old Hararians Sports Club, while Mega Market Mountaineers will be hosting Eagles at Mutare Sports Club.
From December 17-20, Rocks will entertain Mega Market Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club, with Eagles taking on Tuskers at Old Hararians Sports Club in the last fixtures before Christmas.
Logan Cup action will resume after the festive season break.
Meanwhile, Eagles are set to unveil a new sponsor for the 2022-2023 season this afternoon.
The team, which represents the Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland Central provinces in first-class cricket, is linked with one of Zimbabwe’s leading building material and allied products supplier, Decor Builders Warehouse (DBW).
Eagles kicked off their campaign in the Logan Cup with no naming rights last week following the expiry of their one-year deal with Alliance Health.
The two parties chose not to renew their naming rights contract. Details of the new sponsorship deal will be availed at the launch.
Online Reporter