With the national players now in camp ahead of next month’s ICC World Cup it was time for Zimbabwe’s domestic players to return to four-day action in the Logan Cup.
Centuries from Vusi Sibanda and Malcolm Waller – both of whom narrowly failed to make the cut for the trip to Australia and New Zealand – helped Mid West Rhinos have the better of the first day against table-toppers Matabeleland Tuskers in Bulawayo. They closed day one on 316 for five despite losing Bothwell Chapungu early to Stephen Chimhamhiwa and then finding themselves 62 for three.
Sibanda and Waller showed their class and took their inevitable frustration at missing out on cricket’s showpiece event out on the Tuskers bowlers. They added 215 for the fourth-wicket, with Sibanda completing the 16th ton of his long first-class career and Waller notching up the eighth three-figure score of his.
Sibanda was caught behind off Luke Jongwe for 115 prior to stumps, with PJ Moor following him back as he was bowled for a single by Thabo Mboyi. Waller, though, ended undefeated on 115 with Mark Mbofana on 12.
Defending champions Mountaineers were made to work hard by a disciplined Mashonaland Eagles attack at Harare Sports Club and closed on 188 for nine from 79 overs. It would have been much worse but for a career-best 87 from Kudzai Sauramba.
The visitors had chosen to bat but were soon in trouble as Trevor Garwe and Tafadzwa Muzarawetu struck in their opening spells. Kevin Kasuza was then run-out for eight, with a steady stream of wickets following as Admire Manyumwa and Tatenda Manatsa also struck and Mountaineers found themselves 100 for seven.
Fortunately for them, Sauramba found support from Tapiwa Mufudza to add 78 for the eight-wicket and so lend a degree of respectability to proceedings. Ryan Burl picked up Sauramba shortly before stumps with Victor Nyauchi then succumbing via another run-out.
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!
Latest posts by Daniel Grummitt (see all)
- LOGAN CUP: Tuskers crowned champions - March 6, 2015
- LOGAN CUP: Rhinos win keeps pressure on Tuskers - March 5, 2015
- LOGAN CUP: Sibanda hits century, Tuskers take control - March 4, 2015
