adminMehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
A CENTURY by veteran Matabeleland Tuskers batsman Keith Dabengwa proved worthless as his side is now staring at defeat at the hands of visiting Mountaineers.
This was after a poor show with the bat which saw the home side being made to follow-on during the third day of the four day Logan Cup cricket first class encounter at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
Left handed batsman Dabengwa scored 101 runs in the Tuskers first innings, only for the rest of the batsmen to crumble under pressure from the Mountaineers bowlers. Tuskers, in response to Mountaineers’ first innings score of 435 runs made 279 runs in their first innings and that meant they had to follow on.
In their second innings, Tuskers ended the day on 89 runs with four wickets down, still requiring 67 runs to make Mountaineers bat again and have a tough task ahead of them with lots of batting required for them on the last day of the match if they have to avoid being beaten.
The match went into its third day with Tuskers resuming from their overnight score of 165 runs for the loss of three wickets in their first innings, still 270 runs with seven wickets in hand with Dabengwa and Godwill Mamhiyo the two batsmen in the middle.
Dabengwa went on to reach his sixth first class hundred, but could not help Tuskers wipe out the deficit as he was bowled by left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.
Spinners tore through the Tuskers batting order, leaving the home team 156 runs behind in the first innings.
Masakadza finished with five wickets for 63 runs in 27 overs that he bowled, nine of those overs not costing a run while off spinner Tapiwa Mufudza had four wickets for 54 runs.
Tinotenda Mawoyo, the Mountaineers skipper asked Tuskers to bat again with the move immediately paying off.
Tuskers were in trouble early into their second innings, their opening partnership of Bonaparte Mujuru and Nkosana Mpofu yielding only six runs before a hesitant Mujuru was run out for one run.
Debutant Mpofu was given out leg before wicket to Donald Tiripano for six runs, Dabengwa could not repeat his first innings heroics when he was trapped leg before wicket by Mufudza for 18 runs and Mamhiyo was bowled out by Masakadza for 14 runs.
Brian Chari was unconquered on 42 runs with Tawanda Mupariwa yet to open his batting account.
The match goes into its final day this morning with Tuskers looking to bat for most of the day while they try to obtain a target for Mountaineers to chase.
Wayne James, the Tuskers head coach acknowledged that they had their backs against the wall with a lot of work to be done today if they have to avoid losing the match.
James believes that with a lead of about 100 runs, Tuskers have a chance of winning because of the state of the pitch.
Online Reporter