adminSports Reporter
BRENDAN Taylor and Malcolm Waller put together a key 151-run partnership for the fourth wicket to rescue the Midwest Rhinos from what would have been a horrific start on day one of their Logan Cup match against Mashonaland Eagles at Harare Sports Club yesterday.The visitors were bowled out for a respectable 296 with the national team captain and Waller contributing more than half the runs.
The Rhinos decision to bat first after winning the toss almost proved fatal after they lost crucial three early wickets by the 16th over as a result of some good bowling from the sensational Brian Vitori and Taurai Muzarabani.
Vitori struck early, trapping the experienced Vusi Sibanda lbw for seven and, in the very next over, Muzarabani had Bothwell Chapungu caught for eight runs.
Vitori continued his fine morning spell by outwitting the inexperienced Peter Moor, bowling him for 16.
The Rhinos needed someone with a cool head, amid the carnage, and they found one in Taylor who batted patiently and carried his team through the morning session and reached his fifty from 76 balls.
He then converted his half century into a ton but perished soon after, caught in the slip cordon after edging one for a good 102 runs off just 123 balls.
His innings featured 16 boundaries and one six.
By the time Taylor, the team’s best player by a distance, departed, Rhinos were looking comfortable on 200-4.
It was the Zimbabwe captain’s 19th first-class hundred.
But, to their credit, the Eagles continued to fight and their young skipper Tinotenda Mutombodzi removed Mark Mbofana (7), trapped lbw, and Chamu Chibhabha got his second wicket when he had Malcom Waller caught at slip for 74 off 139 deliveries.
The visitors’ resistance was shattered as they staggered through tea and Vitori continued his disciplined bowling to claim his last two wickets and finish with figures of 4-67 in 18 overs. MidWest Rhinos lost their final wicket three overs after the new ball had been taken.
The visitors made amends for their late collapse as they managed to claim the wicket of Keith Kondo in the one mandatory over that had to be played before close of play.
Kondo’s batting frailties got the better of him as he was trapped lbw by Edward Rainsford.
Logan Cup defending champions Matabeleland Tuskers had a slow but firm start as they posted 216-6 at stumps against Southern rocks at Masvingo Sports Club.
The Tuskers showed faith in their 21-year old right-hander Brian Chari who opened the batting and anchored the innings to score his second first class half century.
Online Reporter