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A FINE all-round performance by Brian Mudzinganyama powered Southern Rocks to a four-wicket victory over Eagles at Old Hararians yesterday and effectively sealed their place in the Pro50 Championship final against Rhinos tomorrow.
Eagles were unable to put up much of a challenge with the bat, and Mudzinganyama finished off their innings with four wickets, before scoring a dynamic 66 with the bat, as Rocks chased down the target.
Eagles, who usually put their opponents in to bat after winning the toss, decided to bat first, this time round, but it did not work for them.
They lost Gareth Chirawu (4), in the fourth over, followed by Rodney Mupfudza, for a brisk 13, when the total was 24, both to Nkosilathi Nungu.
Ashley Mufandauya, the other opening batsman, stayed in while he had a succession of partners at the other end, but six wickets fell for only 68 runs, including Elton Chigumbura for 16, and Brad Evans for six.
Malcolm Chikuwa proved to be a reliable partner, and the pair almost doubled the score, adding 59 for the seventh wicket before Mufandauya was finally caught by William Mashinge, off the bowling of Mudzinganyama for 47; 127 for seven. Chikuwa went on to make 35, helped by Honest Ziwira (15), but the innings closed for 170 after only 33.5 overs.
Mudzinganyama wrapped up the last four wickets and finished with figures of four for 18 off 6.5 overs.
There were two wickets each for Nungu, Patrick Mambo and Dylan Hondo.
There was plenty of time for Rocks to start their innings before lunch.
Cephas Zhuwao began the innings in his usual manner — the first over, bowled by Evans, yielded 14 runs to him, including a six and a four.
Mudzinganyama was also in aggressive mood, hitting the third ball he faced, from Chikuwa, for six, and by the time Zhuwao was caught off Chikuwa in the fourth over for 31 (13 balls, three sixes, two fours) the score had already reached 39.
Mudzinganyama continued the assault and after 10 overs the score had reached 86 for one wicket.
Meanwhile, devastating fifties from Carl Mumba and Tashinga Musekwa topped a powerful Rhinos innings at Takashinga Sports Club today as the Kwekwe-based team roared into tomorrow’s Pro50 Championship final with a crushing 182-run victory over the hapless Mountaineers.
Rhinos batted like a team determined to let nothing stop them from reaching that final, which they hope will result in the first trophy win in their history.
Scores
Eagles: 170 all out in 33.5 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 47, Malcolm Chikuwa 35, Elton Chigumbura 16; Brian Mudzinganyama 4/18, Patrick Mambo 2/30, Nkosilathi Nungu 2/33)
Southern Rocks: 172-6 in 25.1 overs (Brian Mudzinganyama 66, Tadiwanashe Marumani 41, Cephas Zhuwao 31; Tadiwanashe Nyangani 3/43, Malcolm Chikuwa 2/33, Ashley Mufandauya 1/18)
Southern Rocks won by four wickets
Rhinos: 335-6 in 50 overs (Tashinga Musekiwa 61*, Carl Mumba 54*, Johnathan Campbell 51; Akshay Patel 2/54, Clive Chitumba 2/80, John Masara 1/36)
Mountaineers: 153 all out in 35.2 overs (Baxon Gopito 49, Clive Chitumba 17, Gary Chirimuuta 14; Brandon Mavuta 5/37, Tashinga Musekiwa 2/27, Johnathan Campbell 2/30)
Rhinos won by 182 runs — zimcricket
Online Reporter