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Jeffrey Murimbechi Harare Bureau
TAWANDA “Budz” Mupariwa put up a spectacular show with the ball claiming 12 wickets that handed Matabeleland Tuskers a 52-run victory over Mashonaland Eagles on the third day of a Logan Cup match at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
The right arm medium bowler’s antics helped the home side defend their sub-standard first innings score of 143 runs, which had Nkosana Mpofu top scoring with 57 runs.
Mupariwa in a joint medium paced effort with former national Under-19 bowler Steve Chimhamhiwa shut the Harare giants down for an embarrassing 82 runs which left them trailing by 61 runs in the morning session of day two — the bowling pair took five wickets apiece in a 30.1 over commando style operation.
“You have to have the hope that you can defend any total, we became much more confident about defending our low score in the first innings when we had the eagles out for just 82 runs.”
“Much of our credits go to Budz, he was fantastic, he has worked very hard for this especially coming from an injury it was absolutely tremendous. He was disciplined and bowled very few loose balls and it paid off in wickets,” said Tuskers head coach Wayne James.
Tuskers added more runs to their advantage posting 131 runs to expand their lead in the second innings, Godwill Mamhiyo shone in the innings with a patient 52 runs from 117 balls.
If the bowing was not the worst of the visitors’ nightmares, the regimented fielding made sure that all catches were taken and batsmen were frustrated by the number of stops on the field.
“Indeed Budz was leading from the front with the bowling but we made it even more difficult for the Eagles because of our fielding. The guys showed some good field work and guys like John Nyumbu took some fantastic catches which complemented the bowlers really well,” said James.
The already struggling Eagles were reduced to tame size by Mupariwa who brutally removed the top order claiming the first five wickets and the visitors were reeling on 113 runs for five wickets in just 32.4 overs.
Budz continued his reign by removing Mashonaland Eagles’ last hope for a victory when he bowled their middle order masts Simbarashe Gupo (4) and Brighton Mugochi (17), after their departure only one run was added by the feeble tail and the Tuskers earned themselves an extra day of rest.
Mupariwa finished with career best bowling figures in the second innings taking seven wickets for 42 runs. This was his second career ten wicket haul in a match in addition to his eight five wicket hauls in first class cricket.
Online Reporter