Tuskers edge Rocks

Senior Sports Reporter
A FIVE wicket haul by fast bowler Steve Chimhamhiwa saw Matabeleland Tuskers bowl out Southern Rocks on the first day of a Logan Cup cricket match which got underway at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.On an opening day in which 14 wickets went down, a brilliant spell of fast bowling by Chimhamhiwa saw the 23-year-old pick up six wickets for 42 runs from just 10 overs that he bowled.

Two overs did not cost a run as Rocks who won the toss and opted to bat first were cleaned up for a first innings score of 190 runs in 49 overs just before the afternoon tea break.

The highest contribution with the bat for the visitors came from their captain Richmond Mutumbami who made a fighting 87 runs.
At the close of play last night, Tuskers had moved to 106 for the loss of four wickets in 41 overs, which means they trail by 84 runs with six first innings wickets in hand.

Chimhamhiwa, who had another superb display when Tuskers defeated Mashonaland Eagles in a Logan Cup encounter played at the same venue last week started things off by bowling Rocks opener Roy Kaia for seven runs.

The visitors found it hard to build partnerships in their batting and were 113 for three going into the lunch interval.
After the break, Chimhamhiwa produced an excellent spell to record his best bowling figures in first class cricket.

Skipper Tawanda Mupariwa continued with his fine bowling form, collecting three wickets while off spinner John Nyumbu, the leading wicket taker in the domestic longer version of the game took one wicket.

Nkosana Mpofu, Bonaparte Mujuru, Brian Chari and Keith Dabengwa were dismissed for Tuskers before Godwill Mamhiyo and Mupariwa brought stability to the innings.

Mamhiyo was unbeaten on 37 runs while Mupariwa was also unconquered on nine runs. The match goes into the second day with the two teams looking to gain the upper hand.

For Tuskers, the mission should be to bat for as long as possible and surpass the Rocks score while for the visitors from Masvingo, they would be hunting for the remaining Tuskers six wickets before the home side get ahead of them.