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Online Reporter
NICK Welch played his highest first-class innings of 159 to ensure a draw for Mountaineers in their Logan Cup match against Tuskers at Mutare Sports Club on Tuesday.
The home side did not bat particularly well in their first innings, although Joylord Gumbie found some form with 60 and Timycen Maruma played another fine innings of 64 – they declared at 253 for nine wickets.
Luke Jongwe with three wickets for 49 was the most successful bowler.
Two centuries from Tuskers batters gave them a good lead on the first innings – Will Fraine scored 103, while Ali Hamid made his highest score of 160, which came off 267 balls and included 18 fours.
Vincent Masekesa took four wickets in the innings, but they cost him 127 runs.
With a deficit of 170 runs, Mountaineers could only play for a draw, and Welch came good with his innings which lasted for 295 balls and contained four sixes and 16 fours.
This was his third century in three Logan Cup matches this season.
His third-wicket partnership of 180 with Maruma was crucial, and Tuskers were unable to push for victory, the match being given up early as a draw.
In the other Logan Cup match, the fine batting of Innocent Kaia did most to earn Southern Rocks a draw against Rhinos in their Logan Cup match at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare on Tuesday.
Rhinos took the advantage from the start of this match when Takudzwanaishe Kaitano (64) and Ben Curran (109) put on 154 for the first wicket.
There was consistent batting from the middle order, with Nyasha Mayavo scoring 72 not out, earning Rhinos a total of 395.
Innocent Kaia then played a superb innings of 139 for Rocks, while no other batter could get to 50 – although Roy Kaia, Alvin Chiradza and Panashe Taruvinga all reached the forties.
Rocks were only 19 runs behind in the first innings, with Brandon Mavuta taking six wickets for 121.
Rhinos then batted with great consistency in their second innings, their top scorer being Antum Naqvi with 98.
There were also fifties from Awad Naqvi and Mavuta, making for an eventual total of 374 for eight wickets declared.
In retrospect the declaration may have been a little too cautious, although Mike Chinouya soon wrecked Rocks’ hopes of victory with an excellent opening spell, taking the first three wickets to fall in his first four overs for only 31 runs on the board.
Roy Kaia (38) and Taruvinga (36) then played for a draw, but six men were out for 132.
William Mashinge and Richmond Mutumbami, however, battened down the hatches, scoring 18 not out apiece, and so Rocks achieved a draw at 160 for six wickets when time ran out.
Chinouya took three wickets for 43 runs.
Online Reporter