Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports
TUSKERS’ 2025/26 Logan Cup campaign got off to a poor start after they suffered a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Southern Rocks at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
A poor batting display in the second innings saw the Bulawayo side set a 201 runs target for their opponents, which they chased down with over an hour of play remaining on day four.
Tuskers had won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 242 runs in the first innings courtesy of half-centuries from Tinotenda Maposa and Tanunurwa Makoni. They then bowled out Southern Rocks for 209 runs with Ernest Masuku picking up six wickets to take a 33 runs second innings lead.
In the second innings, Tuskers were bowled out for 167 runs and Rock finished on 201/6.
Tuskers resumed the fourth day on 109/8 with Ernest Masuku and Tanatswa Bechani in the middle.
The two lower-order batters managed to put some decent runs on the board, helping their team set a decent target.
Masuku fell for a brilliantly batted 45 runs off 63 balls. The fast bowler fell five runs short of what would have been his fifth First-Class half-century. However, it was a crucial 45 runs for Tuskers.
Bechani also played another crucial innings. He fell for 33 runs off 124 balls. He and Masuku were part of a 59 runs ninth-wicket partnership and earlier, he had shared a crucial 49 runs eighth-wicket partnership stand with Ainsley Ndlovu.
Ndlovu fell before stumps on day three for 23 runs off 48 balls and the only other Tuskers batters that managed to reach double figures were Tafara Mupariwa and Tanunurwa Makoni for 12 runs apiece.
Roy Kaia picked up three wickets for Southern Rocks while Tafara Chingwara, Takudzwa Chataira and Owen Muzondo picked up two wickets apiece. Johnathan Campbell claimed one scalp.
Southern Rocks showed intent with the bat a with a 69 runs opening wicket stand between Matthew Campbell and Panashe Taruvinga.
The stand was broken by Ndlovu, who had Campbell trapped in front for 35 runs off 65 balls. Moments later, Mgcini Dube and Ndlovu restored some hope to Tuskers with back-to-back wickets of Taruvinga and Roy Kaia, respectively.
Dube struck with the last ball of the 29th over, while Ndlovu got Kaia with the first ball of the 30th over. At that stage, Southern Rocks were now on 79/3.
Cephas Zhuwao and Johnathan Campbell then swung the game back into their favour with a 65 runs fourth-wicket partnership. Brian Chari had Zhuwao caught for 27 runs off 67 balls.
Johnathan Campbell and Takudzwa Tsiga shared a 31 runs fifth-wicket stand, which was broken by Ndlovu. He caught and bowled Campbell for 41 runs off 71 deliveries.
In the 61st over, Dube had Alvin Chiradza stumped for eight runs.
Tsiga finished unbeaten on 35 runs off 43 balls.
Ndlovu finished with figures of 3/40. Dube claimed 2/23 while Chari had 1/36.
Tuskers don’t have a lot of time to lick their wounds as the two sides are scheduled to face off in a Pro50 Championship encounter at the same venue on Friday.
