Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket’s domestic season got underway on Friday and it was not the start that Pro50 Championship defending champions, Mega Market Mountaineers would have hoped for as they suffered a four wicket defeat at the hands of Rhinos at Mutare Sports Club.
The defending champions would feel they had done everything right with the bat in the first innings of the match, however, Rhinos were equal to the task, chasing down the 296 runs target with an over to spare.
Batting first, Mountaineers finished on 295/7 in their 50 overs and Rhinos went on to chase down the score in 49 overs, finishing on 296/6 to open their account on a high note while the champions go back to the drawing board.
Mountaineers had a good start with the bat as two of their top order batters managed to score half centuries. Tony Munyonga, batting at number three top scored for Mountaineers, falling just four runs short of what would have been a well-played ton. He scored 96 runs from 86 balls while Joylord Gumbie, at the top of the order, scored 63 runs from 84 deliveries. Spencer Magodo chipped in with an unbeaten 29 runs off 35 balls and Dane Schadendorf fell for 27 runs after facing as many deliveries.
Fast bowler Carl Mumba, who was recently recalled to the Chevrons setup, had the best figures for Rhinos, as he claimed two wickets for 32 runs in his seven over spell. Michael Chinouya, Brandon Mavuta, Antum Naqvi, and Ryan Burl all took one wicket each for Rhinos.
In the second innings of the game, the experience Tendai Chatara and Donald Tiripano could not assist Mountaineers in crossing the finish line. The two fast bowling duo both took two wickets for 60 and 66 runs respectively, both bowling 10 overs. Tinashe Muchawaya and Munyonga claimed one wicket apiece for the defending champions.
Tarisai Musakanda, who was named Player of the Match, starred with the bat for Rhinos, top scoring with an unbeaten 83 runs from 75 balls while Burl fell for 59 runs after facing 52 deliveries. Prince Masvaure and Naqvi scored 49 and 41 runs respectively to help Rhinos upset the defending champions.
The match between Mountaineers and Rhinos was not the only game that took place in the opening round of games. Eagles got off the campaign to a good start after registering a close six-run victory over Southern Rocks at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Batting first, Eagles were bowled out for 255 in 47,5 overs with their top scorer being Kudzai Maunze with 65 runs from 82 balls. Kudakwashe Macheka took four wickets for 36 runs in 8,4 overs for Southern Rocks.
Eagles went on to bowl out their opponents for 249 runs in 44,3 overs. Tanaka Chivanga, Tapiwa Mufudza and Alex Russell took three wickets apiece for Eagles as none of the Rocks batters managed to score a half century. Rocks’ top scorer was Keith Jaure with 43 runs.
The Pro50 Championship continues today with two matches lined up. At Mutare Sports Club, Mountaineers will be hoping to bounce back when they face Rhinos again while at Takashinga Cricket Club, there will be a return fixture between Southern Rocks and Eagles.
Tuskers are the only team yet to get to action and are on a bye. Their first encounter will be against Eagles on 27 October at Harare Sports Club and the return fixture will be played at the same on 29 October.
After the two matches against Eagles, the Bulawayo-based side will then face Rhinos at Queens Sports Club in back-to-back matches on 3 November and 5 November. — Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin
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