Matabeleland Tuskers made it back-to-back bonus point wins in Zimbabwe’s Pro50 Championship as their bowlers demolished Mid West Rhinos for just 107 en route to a 100-run victory in Kwekwe.
The Tuskers attack, which is widely believed to be the best in the competition, possessing as it does five men with international experience, tore through the Rhinos batting line-up to help them defend their total of 207 for eight. Tawanda Mupariwa struck early, including dismissing captain and in-form overseas player Brad Wadlan for nine. He then sent packing Bothwell Chapungu (14) and Malcolm Waller (2) to make it 30 for three.
Left-arm quick Brian Vitori then took over and dismissed Steven Trenchard and Tarisai Musakanda to leave the scoreboard reading 47 for five. There was clearly no way back from this point, with Chris Mpofu taking three for 26 to help wrap up the innings. Mark Mbofana top-scored with 25.
Tuskers’ opening pair of Bornaparte Mujuru and Nkosana Mpofu had earlier got their side’s innings of to a good start at beginning of the day against a Rhinos attack missing the services of Kyle Jarvis. Exactly 100 was added for the first-wicket before Mujuru was run-out by Waller for 41, with Sean Williams (0) and Mpofu (46) following to Kudakwashe Munyede with the score still on 100.
The collapse continued as Munyede (3-32) removed Keith Dabengwa for five, and Brian Chari (24), skipper Godwill Mamhiyo (12) and Luke Jongwe (16) were all sent back to the pavilion without making a significant impression. Tawanda Mupariwa (23 off 23 balls) and Brian Vitori, who clubbed a couple of sixes in making 18 off eight balls, did at least lift the total past 200 – one that would prove more than enough.
Meanwhile, in Mutare, defending champions Mountaineers recorded their first win of the season against Mashonaland Eagles.
Kevin Kasuza and Stuart Matsikenyeri both hit half-centuries and added 124 for the third-wicket. Kasuza was run-out for 89 by Ryan Burl, with Matsikenyeri then falling two overs later for 67 off just 53 balls to give Trevor Garwe one of his three wickets. Cameos from Forster Mutizwa (38 off 31 balls) and Roy Kaia (34 off 32 balls) ensured that there was no let-up for the Eagles bowlers as the hosts finished their 50 overs on an imposing 292 for seven.
The Eagles run chase then got off to a blistering start thanks to hard-hitting opener Cephas Zhuwao who smashed 31 off only 16 balls before departing to Cuthbert Musoko. However, wickets fell at fairly regular intervals throughout the run chase and it took a last-wicket stand of 40 between Garwe (31 off 19 balls) and Taurai Muzarabani (25 off 17 balls) to narrow the margin of defeat.
They were all out for 246 in the 46th over to lose by 46 runs, with Musoko picking up three for 46 from eight overs and Tatenda Mupunga and Natsai M’shangwe – now back in the country following his exploits in Bangladesh – each collecting a brace of wickets.
Daniel Grummitt
He worked for CricketWorld.com for almost three years, leading their county and domestic cricket coverage and contributing to a book about the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, before joining the hugely ambitious World Cricket Badger early in 2014.
The first Test that he remembers watching was on Channel 4 - back before the ECB marginalised potential future fans by selling the TV rights to Sky Sports - when England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs at Lord’s.
Besides a passion for domestic cricket, he also has an unexplainable interest in all things Zimbabwe cricket!
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