Online ReporterBrandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING a rain hit draw against Mega Market Mountaineers in their second Logan Cup fixture, Tuskers’ player assistant coach Brian Chari walked away satisfied with his side’s improved batting display.
The Bulawayo outfit showed real progress from their opening game against Southern Rocks, putting up a total of 321 in their first innings before the weather took over. Persistent rain and bad light wiped out most of the final two days, with only 2.2 overs possible on day three.
Four Tuskers batters, including Chari, reached half centuries. Captain Tafara Mupariwa led from the front with an impressive 81, followed by Aliakbar Hamid (70), Clive Madande (66), and Chari, who contributed 51.
Speaking after the draw, Chari said it was frustrating that the weather had the final say, but there were strong positives from the batting group.
“We came back strong from the last game in terms of our batting. It was good to see guys starting to get their form back. Unfortunately, with the weather, we could not get some hours out in the field but there were some very good positives from our batters.
“The idea (of forfeiting innings) was to make a game out of it since we had lost some time in the game, we wanted to challenge ourselves. Also credit to Mountaineers for doing the same. We wanted to try and bring results from the last day,” said Chari.
Despite both teams agreeing to forfeit an innings each to chase a result, the skies never cleared, and the contest ended level.
Chari’s own innings ended in bizarre fashion after he was run out celebrating his milestone. He had just reached his 28th First Class half century when Mountaineers wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie threw down the stumps following a quick return from Timycen Maruma.
“It was a lapse of concentration on my side,” Chari admitted. “At that time I was in my zone. I thought Timycen Maruma was not going to throw the ball after spending a little bit of time holding on to it. I thought the ball was almost dead, or dead. I guess from my side it’s just a lapse of concentration. My mind was too far ahead of the situation and things that needed to be done.”
Still, Chari was encouraged by the intent he showed at the crease, noting that it was something he lacked in their first outing.
“Against Southern Rocks I was a little bit tentative, maybe because it was the first game of the season. Talking to the coaches and senior guys, we spoke about what we could have done better in the last game and from my part it was about being positive. Once I am positive, the team catches the energy and plays the same. It was on me to lead by example and try to be more positive,” he said.
Tuskers and Mountaineers renew their rivalry today in the Pro50 Championship at the same venue.
The Bulawayo side could be without Tinotenda Maposa and Clive Madande, who are expected to join the national team for next week’s T20I Tri-Series in Pakistan involving Sri Lanka and the hosts. The pair were part of the squad that faced Afghanistan recently. Mountaineers will also lose Brian Bennett and Wellington Masakadza to national duty.
Chari said despite the absences, his side remains confident.
“They are good players, special players for us. We cannot replace them, but we have guys on the sidelines who can do the job, though they will be missed. Weather permitting, I think the guys are now confident especially in the batting unit. Unfortunately, our bowlers didn’t have the chance to run in for a longer period but the team is confident especially coming after the two losses against Southern Rocks,” said Chari.
Today’s Pro50 match begins at 9:30am and is open to the public free of charge.
Mathew Masinge