Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
WICKET-KEEPER Tafadzwa Tsiga anchored Zimbabwe A’s innings with a half century as the hosts, boosted by the reinforcement of their attack by the addition of Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, provided stiff opposition for the English County side.
The visitors won the toss and elected to field.
After the first three-day match proved to be a mismatch, with Durham dominating it on the way to a comprehensive win, this one at Takashinga Sports Club has so far proved to be a close one.
And, that in part is because of Tsiga’s fine innings, in his 50th first-class match, and super bowling by the Chevrons’ frontline new ball bowlers.
Tsiga top-scored for the hosts with his 64 as Zimbabwe A were bundled out for 151 in their first innings.
In response, Durham were 74/5 at stumps, trailing by 77 with five wickets in hand.
Muzarabani and Ngarava picked two wickets each.
George Drissell, who earlier starred with the ball as he took 4/54, was on the crease on eight while Graham Clark was on four runs from 36 balls.
Tsiga’s 64 came from 131 balls in which he hit seven fours and a six.
He was one of just four Zimbabwean players who hit double figures.
Matthew Welch (12), Kundai Matigimu (29) and Muzarabani (11) were the others.
The hosts were in trouble early on in their innings as they slumped to 12-2, 24-3, 25-4 and 25-5 and even a century looked to be far away.
Zimbabwe lost six wickets in the morning session.
But Tsiga came up with a good innings and, given Durham’s struggles in their reply, it now looks like a decent score.
Ngarava picked 2-27 while Muzarabani picked 2-23.
The Zimbabweans will be happy with the way they responded with their attack and will go into the second day walking with a spring in their step.
It’s the second and final three-day match between Zimbabwe ‘A’ and Durham, with the visitors leading the series 1-0.
dyton mupawaenda