adminTADIWANASHE Marumani once again showed his one-day batting skills, playing a destructive innings of 71 off 41 balls to lead the way for Northerns as they beat Southerns by five wickets in the second match of this regional Pro50 Championship series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday.
Again, a wet outfield delayed the start of play and this time the match was reduced to 41 overs a side.
Richmond Mutumbami, captaining Southerns, decided to bat on winning the toss.
In contrast to his brilliant form in the first match, Kevin Kasuza struggled this time round for 17 balls to score only two runs before he was lbw to a swinging ball from Faraz Akram.
He opened with Tafadzwa Tsiga, who scored 16 before being bowled by Tawanda Dzikiti in the 10th over at 36 for two.
Timycen Maruma, promoted to number three, was in fine form and shared a vital partnership with Mutumbami which took the score to 118 before the third wicket fell in the 27th over.
He scored 54 off 65 balls, while Mutumbami soon followed for 48 off 57, both to the left-arm spin of Nkosana Mpofu.
In reply Northerns got off to a flying start, which is always possible when Marumani strikes form.
His partner Brian Mudzinganyama was first out for 20 after seven overs, the score at this stage being 71 for no wicket, with Marumani now on 43 off only 18 balls.
Marumani went on to reach his fifty off only 22 balls, but then seemed to lose a little steam – he was finally caught at long-off for 71 off 41 balls.
Both teams have now won a match, so the stage is set for the series decider today. – zimcricket
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter