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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
A CLINICAL all round performance by Tuskers has gotten their title defence off to a perfect start as they won their second match of the 2022/23 Logan Cup first class cricket competition against Rhinos by eight wickets at Old Hararians yesterday.
An unbeaten second innings half century by Tafara Mupariwa saw Tuskers chase down the target of 96 runs in the first session of the final day. The Bulawayo side finished on 98-2 to make it two out of two wins.
In the first innings, Tuskers bowled out their opponents for 214 runs and a fine innings from Nkosana Mpofu and Sean Williams saw Walter Chawaguta’s men thrust themselves on the driver’s seat with a score of 432 all out and a lead of 218.
Mpofu scored a patient 122 runs while Williams was dismissed for a well batted 92 runs off 80 deliveries to fall, for the second time in the 90s. Rhinos leg spinner Brandon Mavuta took four wickets while Kiran Carlson picked up two.
With a rather huge mountain to climb in the second innings, Rhinos’ batsmen, however, did pull up a fight with four half centuries being scored on day three. Johnathan Campbell top scored with 68 runs off 100 deliveries while Remembrance Nyathi and Nyasha Mayavo scored 67 and 66 runs respectively. The other half century was from Eddie Byrom who finished with 54 runs.
Left arm spinner Williams once again came to the party with the ball for the Bulawayo side taking four wickets for 44 runs in 18. 4 overs. Fast bowler, Sheunopa Musekwa picked up three wickets, conceding 61 runs in nine overs for Tuskers as they rounded up Rhinos’ innings.
It took the first session of the final day for Tuskers to cross the line and continue their perfect run. Mpofu, who scored a century in the first innings, was dismissed for a three balls duck and his opening partner, Tanunurwa Makoni fell for 29 runs.
Mupariwa’s 50 runs was enough to see Tuskers through and with him on the other end was the skipper, Brian Chari who finished with 11 runs off 10 deliveries. Michael Chinouya and Johnathan Campbell took the only two wickets that fell on the final day.
At Harare Sports Club, Mega Market Mountaineers ended day three batting on 243-5 with a lead of 189 runs going into the final day of the match. Ben Compton is going strong for Mountaineers on 100 runs not out as his team is looking to set a defendable target with just one day left in the match.
Eagles scored 383 runs in their first innings having bowled out Mountaineers for 329 in their first stanza of the match. The Eagles team will look at in form Chevrons white ball captain, Craig Ervine to see them through. Tapiwa Mufudza took three wickets for Eagles in Mountaineers’ second innings while the other two were taken by Brad Evans. – @brandon_malvin
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