There were wins for Matabeleland Tuskers and Mountaineers in the third round of Zimbabwe’s Pro50 Championship.
The games had been due to take place on Saturday but were postponed due to yet another player strike, with the corresponding Logan Cup matches now due to commence on Tuesday. However, that didn’t stop Tuskers from making it three wins out of three in the competition as they won a low-scoring game against Mashonaland Eagles in Bulawayo.
Their pursuit of a modest target of 126 had got off to a terrible start as Taurai Muzarabani removed Brian Chari for a duck second ball and Trevor Garwe subsequently struck in successive overs to make it seven for three. Nkosana Mpofu, though, steadied the ship alongside captain Godwill Mamhiyo prior to departing for 21. Luke Jongwe (23) then joined Mamhiyo (45) to add a further 48, with eighth-wicket pairing of Tawanda Mupariwa and John Nyumbu edging them over the line in the 41st over.
Earlier, off-spinner Nyumbu had picked up for four for 19 from eight overs to build on earlier good work from Tuskers’ strong seam attack of Mupariwa (1-27), Brian Vitori (2-24) and Chris Mpofu (1-17) as Eagles were bowled out for 125.
Mountaineers‘ win over Mid West Rhinos was more comprehensive as they prevailed by six wickets with 12 overs to spare in Kwekwe.
Stuart Maksikenyeri ended on 100 not out off only 83 balls as the visitors eased past their target of 195. He and wicket-keeper Forster Mutizwa added 112 for the fourth-wicket, with the latter falling for 45 to Mike Chinouya shortly before the winning line was breached.
The damage had been done earlier in the day as Rhinos lost the toss and threw away an opening stand of 37 to flop to 55 for five. Shingi Masakadza dispensed with the openers, Bothwell Chapungu (11) and Brad Wadlan (29), with Tatenda Mupunga then dispatching PJ Moor and Prince Masvaure either side of Victor Nyauchi having Steven Trenchard caught behind.
The lower-order did lead a recovery. All-rounder Tendai Chisoro hit his second List A half-century and put on 60 with Kyle Jarvis for the eighth-wicket. Jarvis ended on a career-best 33 not out, with Rhinos on 194 for eight but it was nowhere near enough.
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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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