dyton mupawaenda
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TUSKERS’ nail-biting one wicket win over Eagles at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare on Sunday has propelled them into the top three of the 2024/25 Pro50 Championship season standings.
Going into the clash, Tuskers were bottom of the standings with four points from five matches.
The Bulawayo side had only tasted victory once, while losing twice with two games yielding no result.
Eagles were at the top of the standings with six points, having won three and lost twice in the opening five matches.
They are now tied with Tuskers on six points apiece, separated by net-run rate while Rhinos, following their one wicket (D/L Method) win over Mega Market Mountaineers, have leaped to the top of the standings with seven points, one ahead of Tuskers and Eagles.
With Rhinos leading the pack on seven points followed by Eagles and Tuskers in second and third places respectively, tied on six points and separated by net-run rate, in fourth place there is Southern Rocks with five points.
Mega Market Mountaineers anchor the standings with four points.
The Tuskers tail held firm to secure a closely fought victory.
After winning the toss, Tuskers opted to field first and bowled out Eagles for 193 runs in 43.1 overs and went on to chase down the target in 48 overs, finishing on 194/9.
The Eagles innings was marked by inconsistency, featuring three partnerships of 40 or more but little contribution from the rest.
Following Tadiwanashe Marumani’s dismissal for 11, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (26 off 19 balls) and Rodney Mupfudza (14) put on 40 run stand for the second wicket.
However, both fell with the score at 54, alongside Dion Myers. Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere then carefully constructed a 46-run stand for the fourth wicket.
After Madhevere departed for 21, Tony Munyonga (31) joined Ervine in the largest partnership of the innings, adding 56 for the sixth wicket.
Ervine anchored the innings with a composed 54 off 94 balls, but with little support from the lower order, Eagles fell short of the 200-mark.
Ernest Masuku was the standout bowler for Tuskers, taking 4/33.
Luke Jongwe (2/41) and Brandon James (2/27) provided able support to Masuku, while Nkosana Mpofu and Ainsley Ndlovu chipped in with a wicket each.
Tuskers’ chase was far from smooth, as they lost three wickets for 41 runs, with Tanunurwa Makoni contributing 21.
Brian Chari and Will Fraine steadied the innings with a 66-run partnership before Fraine fell for 37 at 115/4.
Jongwe’s 32 off 42 balls took Tuskers to 177/8, leaving James (11 not out) to guide the lower order in pursuit of the remaining runs.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter