Tuskers beat Southern Rocks

Senior Sports Reporter
A marvellous unbeaten maiden first-class century from left-handed opener Nkosana Mpofu inspired Matabeleland Tuskers to a close shave one-wicket triumph over Southern Rocks on the final day of the four-day Logan Cup encounter at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday. Mpofu occupied the crease for 493 minutes, faced up to 317 deliveries, despatched 13 fours on his way to top-scoring for Tuskers with a career best score of 130 runs not out to lead Tuskers to a tense win. The 23-year-old left-hander found some useful partnerships down the order with a crucial last wicket stand of 35 runs with last batsman in Steve Chimhamhiwa who also had the courage to strike four fours on his way to a 46 ball 21 runs not out.

Tuskers had resumed the last day on 135 runs for the loss of five wickets, Mpofu and Godwill Mamhiyo the two batsmen at the crease. The home side still needed 144 runs with seven wickets in hand.

Mamhiyo and Tawanda Mupariwa were the batsmen to depart during the morning session as Tuskers progressed to 188 runs for the loss of five wickets going to the lunch break.

After the lunch interval, Mpofu continued with his pursuit of a maiden first-class 100. He was given a lifeline on 94 runs, when he was dropped — wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga and Prince Masvaure putting down the catch off the bowling of Garwe.

Tony Mupariwa edged one from Cuthbert Musoko to be snared at first slip by Garwe for seven runs.
Mpofu went on to reach his first ever century in first class cricket with two runs off the bowling of Masvaure with the left-hander getting to the mark after spending 368 minutes in the middle, facing up to 251 balls and hitting 11 fours.

John Nyumbu, whose valuable 30 runs with the bat in the Tuskers first innings brought them closer to the visitors total did not hang around for a long time, dismissed by Innocent Kaia who had him caught at mid on.

Thabo Mboyi made 13 runs from 30 balls before he was dismissed by Masvaure, taken at gully and the situation became even drier for Tuskers when they lost Kevin Kandala who was trapped leg before wicket by Masvaure for a three-ball duck.

When Chimhamhiwa walked in to bat, Tuskers needed 35 runs to win the match. Rocks brought back Luke Jongwe to bowl and Chimhamhiwa struck two fours in one of the Under-19 star player’s over and that reduced the target to six runs. In the next over, Chimhamhiwa smashed four off the bowling of Roy Kaia to level the scores. It was Chimhamhiwa who ended the match with a single off the same bowler’s batting.