This match was their exit from the competition, while Mountaineers will challenge Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final on a date yet to be confirmed.

Maunze, Kamunhukamwe hit fifties before rain washes out game

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Alliance Health Eagles – 193-4 in 36.1 overs (Kudzai Maunze 74, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 62, Marshal Takodza 37*; Brighton Chipungu 2/51, John Masara 1/21, Shingi Masakadza 1/33)

Mountaineers –

No result

Sparkling innings from Kudzai Maunze and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe dominated the play at Harare Sports Club on Friday in the second Pro50 Championship match between Alliance Health Eagles and Mountaineers, before rain washed out the game.

Eagles won the toss on their home ground, but, after their defeat batting second in Wednesday’s match, they broke with tradition this time round by deciding to bat first.

By the time the rain came they must have felt well pleased with this decision, as they were in a good position to build a very challenging total for Mountaineers to chase down.

Kamunhukamwe began the innings with some fine aggressive strokes, taking the attack to the bowlers, and Victor Nyauchi’s opening spell of four overs cost 27 runs.

Eagles did lose the wicket of Gareth Chirawu, bowled by Shingi Masakadza for five.

But Maunze settled in well with Kamunhukamwe and the two of them quite dominated the bowling as they took the score to 97 before Kamunhukamwe was caught off Brighton Chipungu for a dynamic 62 off 65 balls.

Chamu Chibhabha scored only five, but Marshal Takodza next provided Maunze with a good partner, and another good start took the score to 188 before Chipungu also dismissed Maunze, who had made 74 from 80 balls.

Brad Evans had just come in when the rain began and the players left the field with the score 193 for four wickets in the 37th over –  Takodza had 37 and Evans two.

Chipungu was the most successful bowler, with two wickets for 51, having completed his 10 overs, but all the bowlers were expensive except for John Masara, who in six overs took the wicket of Chibhabha for 21 runs.

There was so much rain that the match had to be abandoned by mid-afternoon, with Eagles probably the more disappointed team.

This match was their exit from the competition, while Mountaineers will challenge Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final on a date yet to be confirmed.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE

*Southern Rocks docked one point and Rhinos three points for slow over rate

  • TEAM
  • *Rocks
  • Mountaineers
  • Eagles
  • Tuskers
  • *Rhinos
  • M
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • W
  • 6
  • 5
  • 3
  • 3
  • 1
  • L
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 5
  • 7
  • T
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • D
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • N/R
  • 1
  • 1
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • PT
  • 64
  • 55
  • 40
  • 30
  • 7
  • NRR
  • -0.041
  • 1.646
  • 0.520
  • -0.394
  • -1.329
Mountaineers – 227 all out in 39.3 overs (Ben Compton 110, Tony Munyonga 25, Timycen Maruma 25; Daniel Jakiel 2/42, Malcolm Chikuwa 2/65, Tanaka Chivanga 1/25) Alliance Health Eagles – 187 all out in 37.1 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 39, Shoun Handirisi 32, Tapiwa Mufudza 25; Victor Nyauchi 3/21, Kevin Kasuza 2/14, John Masara 2/28) Mountaineers won by 40 runs Mountaineers have secured their place in the Pro50 Championship final thanks to a fine century from Ben Compton, backed by the incisive pace bowling of Victor Nyauchi, as they defeated Alliance Health Eagles by 40 runs in this Pro50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. The start had to be delayed until the field had dried out after the heavy rain overnight, and the match had to be reduced to 40 overs per side. Eagles, according to tradition at their home ground, won the toss and put their opponents in to bat. For Mountaineers, 25 seemed to be a magic number, as three of their players were out for 25, and only one of the others even reached double figures. The only player to crack the 25 barrier was Compton, who opened the innings with Kevin Kasuza, the pair putting on 49 together until Kasuza was out lbw to Brad Evans – for 25. Kudzai Sauramba was run out for 17, and then Timycen Maruma and Tony Munyonga in turn were out for 25, both scored off 24 balls. Each shared a useful partnership with Compton, the largest of these being 50 for the third wicket with Maruma. Compton went on to score a fine century before being the sixth man out in the 37th over, with the score at 215 – he faced 109 balls and hit 10 fours. The rest of the wickets fell as the tail tried in vain to attack the bowling in the dying overs. The last six men in scored only 15 runs between them, and two of them were run out. With three balls to spare, Mountaineers were bowled out for 227. There were two wickets each for Daniel Jakiel and Malcolm Chikuwa, but Tanaka Chivanga and Tapiwa Mufudza were more economical, going at little over four runs an over each. Eagles found themselves unexpectedly in trouble as they chased their target, for their first three wickets went down for 27: Chamu Chibhabha was run out for four, Kudzai Maunze caught off Nyauchi for six and the same bowler also removed Marshal Takodza for seven. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was playing a steady innings and he was now joined by the former Tuskers wicket-keeper Shoun Handirisi. The two fought hard to build a valuable fourth-wicket partnership of 64, taking the score to 91 before John Masara removed Kamunhukamwe for 39. Handirisi went soon afterwards for 32 – 106 for five – which left Evans to play the leading part, helped by the later batters. He found a valuable partner in Mufudza, and the pair by attacking play took the score to 163 before Nyauchi dismissed Evans for 25. The score was now 153 for seven after 32 overs, which left three wickets to score 75 runs in the final eight overs in fading light, an unlikely situation once Evans had gone. Mufudza did his best before he was out for the fifth score of 25 of the day, but however much the later batters tried, the task was beyond them. Eagles were all out for 187 after 37.1 overs, and Mountaineers thus won by 40 runs. The bowling of Nyauchi played a major part in deciding this match, as he took three vital wickets at important times, despite bowling only six overs, and he finished with figures of three for 21. Mountaineers will face the first-placed Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final on a date yet to be confirmed, but first they have to complete the round-robin stage on Friday by again taking on Eagles who themselves will be eager to finish off their List A campaign on a high. 2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE

Mountaineers book place in Pro50 Championship final

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Mountaineers – 227 all out in 39.3 overs (Ben Compton 110, Tony Munyonga 25, Timycen Maruma 25; Daniel Jakiel 2/42, Malcolm Chikuwa 2/65, Tanaka Chivanga 1/25)

Alliance Health Eagles – 187 all out in 37.1 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 39, Shoun Handirisi 32, Tapiwa Mufudza 25; Victor Nyauchi 3/21, Kevin Kasuza 2/14, John Masara 2/28)

Mountaineers won by 40 runs

Mountaineers have secured their place in the Pro50 Championship final thanks to a fine century from Ben Compton, backed by the incisive pace bowling of Victor Nyauchi, as they defeated Alliance Health Eagles by 40 runs in this Pro50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

The start had to be delayed until the field had dried out after the heavy rain overnight, and the match had to be reduced to 40 overs per side.

Eagles, according to tradition at their home ground, won the toss and put their opponents in to bat.

For Mountaineers, 25 seemed to be a magic number, as three of their players were out for 25, and only one of the others even reached double figures.

The only player to crack the 25 barrier was Compton, who opened the innings with Kevin Kasuza, the pair putting on 49 together until Kasuza was out lbw to Brad Evans – for 25.

Kudzai Sauramba was run out for 17, and then Timycen Maruma and Tony Munyonga in turn were out for 25, both scored off 24 balls.

Each shared a useful partnership with Compton, the largest of these being 50 for the third wicket with Maruma.

Compton went on to score a fine century before being the sixth man out in the 37th over, with the score at 215 – he faced 109 balls and hit 10 fours.

The rest of the wickets fell as the tail tried in vain to attack the bowling in the dying overs.

The last six men in scored only 15 runs between them, and two of them were run out.

With three balls to spare, Mountaineers were bowled out for 227.

There were two wickets each for Daniel Jakiel and Malcolm Chikuwa, but Tanaka Chivanga and Tapiwa Mufudza were more economical, going at little over four runs an over each.

Eagles found themselves unexpectedly in trouble as they chased their target, for their first three wickets went down for 27: Chamu Chibhabha was run out for four, Kudzai Maunze caught off Nyauchi for six and the same bowler also removed Marshal Takodza for seven.

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was playing a steady innings and he was now joined by the former Tuskers wicket-keeper Shoun Handirisi.

The two fought hard to build a valuable fourth-wicket partnership of 64, taking the score to 91 before John Masara removed Kamunhukamwe for 39.

Handirisi went soon afterwards for 32 – 106 for five – which left Evans to play the leading part, helped by the later batters.

He found a valuable partner in Mufudza, and the pair by attacking play took the score to 163 before Nyauchi dismissed Evans for 25.

The score was now 153 for seven after 32 overs, which left three wickets to score 75 runs in the final eight overs in fading light, an unlikely situation once Evans had gone.

Mufudza did his best before he was out for the fifth score of 25 of the day, but however much the later batters tried, the task was beyond them.

Eagles were all out for 187 after 37.1 overs, and Mountaineers thus won by 40 runs.

The bowling of Nyauchi played a major part in deciding this match, as he took three vital wickets at important times, despite bowling only six overs, and he finished with figures of three for 21.

Mountaineers will face the first-placed Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final on a date yet to be confirmed, but first they have to complete the round-robin stage on Friday by again taking on Eagles who themselves will be eager to finish off their List A campaign on a high.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE

*Southern Rocks docked one point and Rhinos three points for slow over rate

  • TEAM
  • *Rocks
  • Mountaineers
  • Eagles
  • Tuskers
  • *Rhinos
  • M
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • W
  • 6
  • 5
  • 3
  • 3
  • 1
  • L
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 5
  • 7
  • T
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • D
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • N/R
  • 1
  • 0
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • PT
  • 64
  • 50
  • 35
  • 30
  • 7
  • NRR
  • -0.041
  • 1.646
  • 0.520
  • -0.394
  • -1.329
This match was their exit from the competition, while Mountaineers will challenge Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final on a date yet to be confirmed.

ZC calls off Pro50 Championship match due to COVID-19

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Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has, as a precautionary measure, called off the Pro50 Championship game between Alliance Health Eagles and Mountaineers scheduled for Harare Sports Club this Thursday after four players from one of the two teams tested positive for COVID-19.

 

The cases were detected during a routine pre-match coronavirus screening exercise.

 

ZC has COVID-19 protocols in place to manage positive cases effectively with the intention of enabling its competitions to proceed while keeping all other players and participants safe.

 

The decision on the postponed match will be announced in due course.

Rhinos are still doomed to finish bottom of the Pro50 Championship table, but at least now they have one victory to their credit

Rhinos upset Tuskers to record first Pro50 Championship victory

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Tuskers – 193 all out in 42.4 overs (Craig Ervine 99*, Taffy Mupariwa 17, Milton Shumba 17; Ryan Burl 2/15, Carl Mumba 2/25, Trevor Gwandu 2/31)

Rhinos – 194-6 in 42.2 overs (Johnathan Campbell 55, Nyasha Mayavo 50*, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 43; Ainsley Ndlovu 2/31, Panashe Maphosa 1/31, Ernest Masuku 1/34)

Rhinos won by four wickets

Rhinos finally recorded their first Pro50 Championship victory at Old Hararians Sports Club on Thursday as they beat Tuskers by four wickets, thanks to a magnificent fighting partnership between Johnathan Campbell and Nyasha Mayavo.

All seemed lost for Rhinos when they lost their five top batsmen for 87 runs chasing a target of 194, but these two men rose to the occasion and their sixth-wicket partnership alone almost won the match for them in the end.

Craig Ervine stood as a giant among pygmies after Tuskers were put in to bat by Rhinos.

In the first six overs of their innings, Taffy Mupariwa and Tanu Makoni put on 19 runs before the latter was caught at the wicket off Carl Mumba for six, bringing in Ervine.

Mupariwa was soon bowled by Trevor Gwandu for 17, and then followed a steady procession of partners for Ervine, none of whom managed to outscore Mupariwa.

Sean Williams scored 10 before being caught by Ryan Burl off Tashinga Musekiwa at 45 for three.

Milton Shumba made 17, a good enough start, but he was then caught at the wicket off Gwandu to make Tuskers 69 for four off 21 overs.

Thamsanqa Nunu was lbw to Mumba for nine, and then Clive Madande was caught at the wicket off Charles Kunje for 12, making the score an unpromising 123 for six in the 33rd over.

With Luke Jongwe, the last recognised batsman, now joining him at the crease, Ervine decided the time had come to accelerate.

He reached his fifty off 72 balls and celebrated it by hitting four successive fours off Kunje, and then another two in three balls off Brandon Mavuta.

With Jongwe playing steadily, he then settled down, but then came a run-out for Jongwe (7) at the hands of Campbell, which proved disastrous for Tuskers.

The score at this point was 183 for seven wickets in the 41st over, but the last three batsmen now failed completely to support Ervine.

Musekiwa bowled Ernest Masuku for two, with Ervine on 99.

Ainsley Ndlovu took a single, but Ervine was unable to reach his century off the last two deliveries, one of which went for five wides.

Burl bowled the next over: his first delivery had Ndlovu caught at the wicket, and the last man Panashe Maphosa lasted three balls before he was bowled by Burl.

The innings was over for 193, and Ervine had been left stranded on 99 not out – he fought a magnificent lone battle for 101 balls and hit 11 fours and a six.

His 10 partners managed to find the boundary just eight times among them, three of those fours coming from Mupariwa in the power-play overs.

There were two wickets each for Mumba, Gwandu, Musekiwa and Burl.

Burl returned the best figures of two for 15, but Mumba was the most economical with only 25 runs scored off his seven overs.

Set a target of 194, Rhinos had a good chance of recording their first victory of the tournament if their batsmen could hold their nerve and do their job.

They made a bad start, as off the fourth ball of the innings, with two runs on the board, Prince Masvaure was caught at the wicket off Masuku without scoring.

Kunje joined Takudzwanashe Kaitano and soon decided it was time to attack, and hit Jongwe for two fours and a six.

A promising partnership developed, but it came to an end on 49 in the 13th over, as in three deliveries Ndlovu removed Kunje and Tarisai Musakanda, both lbw.

Kaitano rather surprisingly responded to this with a flurry of fours, but it was too good to last, and four overs later he was caught off Jongwe for 43, with the score on 77 for four.

He was soon followed by Burl, caught at the wicket off Williams for eight, and at 87 for five in the 20th over Rhinos looked once again in danger of defeat.

Campbell and Mayavo now had to try to repair the damage, with not too much batting to come in their side.

They made a fine effort, hitting the bad ball well and defending safely, and as the score passed 130 the match was once again in the balance.

The bowlers tightened up, but Campbell hit Williams for a six and a four as the total passed 150.

Campbell was the more aggressive of the two, and he reached his fifty off 51 balls, while Mayavo did a fine calm job in support.

As the score passed 180 victory was not far away, but then, after the pair had added 96 together, Campbell was finally out lbw to Maphosa for 55, scored off 62 balls with a six and six fours.

At 183, victory was just 11 runs away at this stage and almost 10 overs were left.

Musekiwa was the next man in, but he had little to do.

Mayavo took the responsibility, and in the 43rd over he hit Williams for four and two, not only bringing a first victory to Rhinos, but also his own magnificent fifty, scored off 77 balls in a crisis and containing four fours.

Williams, usually a very effective one-day bowler, was surprisingly off his best form today, and overall Ndlovu did the best job, taking two wickets for 31 in his nine overs.

Rhinos are still doomed to finish bottom of the Pro50 Championship table, but at least now they have one victory to their credit, thanks to the determination of their two middle-order men when all had seemed lost.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

  • TEAM
  • Rocks
  • Mountaineers
  • Eagles
  • Tuskers
  • *Rhinos
  • M
  • 8
  • 6
  • 6
  • 7
  • 7
  • W
  • 6
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • L
  • 1
  • 2
  • 2
  • 5
  • 6
  • T
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • N/R
  • 1
  • 0
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • PT
  • 65
  • 40
  • 35
  • 20
  • 7
  • NRR
  • -0.041
  • 1.733
  • 0.785
  • -0.823
  • -1.196
None of the Rocks bowlers were able to make much impact – perhaps, having made their place in next week’s final certain, they subconsciously relaxed and so went down to their first defeat of the tournament.

Mountaineers send Rocks tumbling to first Pro50 defeat

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Southern Rocks – 131 all out in 37 overs (William Mashinge 41, Tadiwanashe Marumani 16, Brian Mudzinganyama 16; Tendai Chatara 3/43, Tony Munyonga 2/14, Wellington Masakadza 2/18)

Mountaineers – 132-2 in 22.1 overs (Ben Compton 45, Kevin Kasuza 43, Kudzai Sauramba 31*; Sikandar Raza 1/12, William Mashinge 1/24)

 

Mountaineers won by eight wickets

 

Tendai Chatara, with three wickets in his opening spell, rocked the top order of the previously unbeaten Southern Rocks team in a Pro50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday, resulting in a fine victory for Mountaineers by eight wickets.

Rocks batted on winning the toss, and all appeared to be going well as their openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Mudzinganyama took 34 runs off the first six overs from the international bowlers Chatara and Victor Nyauchi.

With the last ball of those overs, though, Nyauchi had Mudzinganyama caught by Donald Tiripano for 16, and Chatara opened his next over with the wicket of Marumani, caught by Ben Compton also for 16.

The table leaders never recovered from this double blow.

Ben Curran and Roy Kaia took the score past 50, but then Timycen Maruma caught Curran off Chatara for nine, and in his next over Chatara had Sikandar Raza caught by Kevin Kasuza for two; 58 for four.

Wickets continued to fall in pairs, as at 68 Kaia was caught at the wicket off Wellington Masakadza as Chatara finished his opening spell, and in the following over the keeper, Kudzai Sauramba, held another chance to remove Tafadzwa Tsiga (9) off Tiripano.

At 72 for six in the 18th over, Rocks were now in considerable trouble.

They needed a major partnership, but never found it, although William Mashinge played a fine fighting lone innings as the tail collapsed around him.

The loss of Tendai Chisoro to Tiripano for six removed the last of the other recognised batsmen with the score 90 for seven.

Blessing Muzarabani went for five and Travor Mutsamba for zero – 109 for nine – before the last man, Dylan Hondo, played a gallant defensive innings to support Mashinge, facing 24 balls before Tony Munyonga ended the innings by bowling him for five.

This left the Rocks total at 131 all out off only 37 overs, with Mashinge unbeaten on 41.

Mashinge scored his runs off 61 balls, with two sixes and for fours, and without his fine effort Rocks would have failed to reach 100.

Chatara did most of the early damage with the ball, taking three wickets for 43 without having a chance to bowl his final two overs.

There were two wickets each for Tiripano and Munyonga, while Wellington Masakadza finished with the impressive figures of two for 18 off his full 10 overs.

Mountaineers had done a wonderful job to bowl out the hitherto dominant Rocks team for only 131 and now it was up to their batters to finish the job and send their opponents to their first defeat.

Mountaineers captain Kevin Kasuza led the victory charge in fine style: in the first four overs he raced to 31 out of a score of 40, with Mutsamba travelling for 30 runs off his two overs.

Kasuza was not to complete the job himself, though, as, having scored 43 off 35 balls, including seven fours and a six, he was bowled by Mashinge with the score on 64 in the ninth over.

His opening partner Compton had given him his head, playing a sound game, and he continued to do so with Sauramba now as his partner.

They continued to keep the score moving at about a run a ball, and Mountaineers never looked like losing their grip.

Compton was stumped off Raza when he had scored 45, the team total at this stage being 125, just before victory was completed.

Maruma came in and scored a single, while Sauramba took Mountaineers through to victory with 31 not out.

None of the Rocks bowlers were able to make much impact – perhaps, having made their place in next week’s final certain, they subconsciously relaxed and so went down to their first defeat of the tournament.

*******************************************************

Alliance Health Eagles – 261 all out in 46.4 overs (Kudzai Maunze 87, Tino Mutombodzi 71, Marshal Takodza 40; Manson Chikowero 3/34, Ryan Burl 2/32, Brandon Mavuta 2/64)

Rhinos – 236-8 in 50 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 86*, Ryan Burl 56, Charles Kunje 27; Tapiwa Mufudza 3/46, Wessly Madhevere 2/38, Malcolm Chikuwa 2/48)

 

Alliance Health Eagles won by 25 runs

 

A fourth-wicket partnership of 121 between Kudzai Maunze and Tino Mutombodzi was vital for the resurgent Alliance Health Eagles who beat Rhinos by 25 runs in their Pro50 Championship match at Takashinga Sports Club on Tuesday.

Eagles, put in to bat, saw Tinashe Kamunhukamwe hit Trevor Gwandu for two fours before being caught by Ryan Burl off Carl Mumba for those eight runs.

Maunze began his innings fluently, but when Gareth Chirawu was caught by Mumba off Gwandu for two, the score was 25 for two in the fourth over.

Eagles continued to take risks in order to score quickly, and their daring policy paid off.

Third to go was Wessly Madhevere, bowled by Manson Chikowero for 19 off 14 balls at 58 for three in the eighth over.

Then came the partnership of the match as Mutombodzi joined Maunze and the pair put the Rhinos bowling to the sword with a dynamic stand of 121 in 19 overs.

Maunze again showed brilliant form in scoring 87 off 71 balls, including two sixes and 11 fours, the partnership finally ending at 179 in the 27th over when he was caught by Johnathan Campbell off Tashinga Musekiwa.

There was no respite for the bowlers as Marshal Takodza continued his recent good batting form in company with Mutombodzi.

The scoring rate did dip somewhat, as their partnership added 65 runs in 12 overs, but when Mutombodzi was caught by Burl off Brandon Mavuta for 71 (91 balls, three sixes, three fours) Eagles were beautifully placed at 244 for five in the 39th over – a score of 300 seemed assured.

However, unexpectedly, Rhinos fought back and there was a sudden batting collapse, with Takodza next to go, stumped off Mavuta for 40; 248 for six.

Mavuta finished his 10 overs, but Chikowero and Burl took advantage of his breakthrough and the tail folded against their bowling like a pack of cards.

Shoun Handirisi (7) and Tapiwa Mufudza (1) fell to Burl, Malcolm Chikuwa (3) and Daniel Jakiel (1) were caught off Chikowero, while the last man Honest Ziwira was unbeaten without scoring, and the innings crashed from 244 for four to 261 all out.

Chikowero with three wickets for 34 returned the best bowling figures, while the spinners Mavuta and Burl had two each.

Rhinos found themselves unexpectedly with a chance of victory still.

They needed one or two of their top-order men to rise to the occasion and play a big innings, but this did not happen.

Takudzwanashe Kaitano was the first man to go, caught at the wicket off Chikuwa for four.

Tarisai Musakanda again disappointed, scoring 14 before he was stumped, also off the bowling of Chikuwa.

When Charles Kunje was caught by Mutombodzi off Madhevere for 27, scored off 40 balls, the score was 58 for three in the 14th over, and a Rhinos victory was looking more unlikely.

Campbell also settled in but was unable to turn it into a major innings – he was lbw to Madhevere for 15, making the score 91 for four in the 24th over.

Nyasha Mayavo now joined Burl, and a promising partnership began to develop, as they kept their wickets up and the score ticking over.

They put on 63 together for the sixth wicket, but struggled to keep up with the run rate, until at 154 Eagles got their breakthrough, when Mufudza bowled Burl for 56 – he faced 85 balls and hit a six and six fours.

Musekiwa hit well for a while to score 15 before being bowled by Jakiel, and then Mufudza struck again.

Mumba seems to have lost the brilliant batting form he showed earlier this season as he was bowled for three by Mufudza, who then bowled Mavuta first ball.

The game was almost over for Rhinos now, 208 for eight in the 46th over, but Mayavo kept playing a superb fighting innings.

He could not do the job of securing victory single-handedly, but he stayed unbeaten to the end of the innings with 86 not out – he faced 90 balls and hit a six and seven fours.

In with him at the close was Gwandu, six not out, with the total being 236 for eight wickets.

Mufudza as usual was Eagles’ key bowler, taking three wickets for 46 in his 10 overs, while there were two wickets each to Chikuwa and Madhevere.

The Eagles victory has ensured that there will be two cracking matches at Harare Sports Club on Thursday and Saturday between them and Mountaineers, for the more successful of the two teams will meet Rocks in the Pro50 Championship final next Tuesday.

Muzarabani, Nungu, Hondo and Raza all took two wickets each and no bowler was hit for more than seven an over, so once again it was a fine team performance that contributed towards victory.

Rocks extend unbeaten run, as Rhinos’ winless streak continues

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Southern Rocks – 306-6 in 50 overs (Ben Curran 88, Tadiwanashe Marumani 49, Innocent Kaia 45; John Masara 2/39, Tinashe Muchawaya 1/39, Wellington Masakadza 1/48)

Mountaineers – 296 all out in 49.4 overs (Shingi Masakadza 59, Wellington Masakadza 58, Ben Compton 56; Sikandar Raza 2/50, Blessing Muzarabani 2/53, Nkosilathi Nungu 2/57)

Southern Rocks won by 10 runs

Shingi Masakadza struck a blistering half-century but it was not enough to prevent Southern Rocks from extending their unbeaten run in the Pro50 Championship as they defeated Mountaineers by 10 runs in a thrilling match played at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Mountaineers won the toss and soon regretted their decision to put Rocks in to bat.

Innocent Kaia gave Rocks a fine start with a dashing innings of 45 off only 43 balls, before being bowled by Wellington Masakadza in the 14th over with the score at 82 already.

His opening partner, Tadiwanashe Marumani, was not quite as fluent as usual, but he was still doing a good job as he was joined by the Northamptonshire professional Ben Curran.

They took the score to 144 in the 27th over before Marumani was dismissed by John Masara, the seventh bowler tried, for 49 off 72 balls.

Sikandar Raza quickly hit a six and three fours as he made 27 before being caught off Shingi Masakadza, but Gabriel Jaya, on his début for Rocks, was bowled by Masara for two.

Curran and Tafadzwa Tsiga put on 58 in nine overs before Tsiga was caught by Wellington Masakadza off Tinashe Muchawaya for 25 off 30 balls.

Curran had looked poised to score a century, but he soon followed Tsiga, caught off Donald Tiripano for a fine 88 off 96 balls, with five fours, and Rocks were 260 for six in the 46th over.

Richmond Mutumbami, who rarely comes in at No 7, hit out boldly with two sixes and two fours to make 31 not out off 20 balls, helped by Blessing Muzarabani with 11 not out off 12 balls.

They successfully took Rocks past the 300 mark, the final score after 50 overs being 306 for six wickets.

Masara was the only bowler to take as many as two wickets, which he did for 39 runs, while the most economical bowler was Victor Nyauchi, whose eight overs without a wicket cost 39 runs.

Mountaineers had a difficult target to face, and Ben Compton and Gary Chirimuuta made a sound rather than spectacular start, putting up 50 on the board in the 12th over without loss.

They took the score to 79 after 18 overs before Chirimuuta went for 39 off 56 balls, caught off the spin of Raza.

The score reached 131 in the 28th over before Rocks could break through again, with Dylan Hondo then bowling Compton for 56, scored off 86 balls.

Tony Munyonga for once failed, caught and bowled by Raza for three, but Kudzai Sauramba joined Wellington Masakadza and they added 64 together for the fourth wicket.

The one problem was that they struggled to keep up with the required run rate, and when Wellington Masakadza was finally caught at the wicket by Tsiga for 58 off Hondo at 204 in the 40th over, a rate of 10 runs an over was needed.

Donald Tiripano (2) and Sauramba (39) were soon out, making the score 212 for six in the 42nd over, and more than 10 an over now required from the last four wickets.

Despite facing such a demanding run rate, Shingi Masakadza and Nyauchi tried their best, throwing their bats gallantly at the bowling.

Shingi Masakadza hit two sixes and Nyauchi one, and 47 were needed off the last four overs.

At 267 Nyauchi (16) lofted a catch off Nkosi Nungu, and it was all up to Shingi Masakadza, who hit Nungu for two sixes, so 28 were needed off the final two overs.

Shingi Masakadza hit two fours off the next over, but was finally caught at the wicket off Muzarabani for 59, which contained four sixes and four fours off only 28 balls.

PJ Moor, who had been injured in the field, came in last, but he was caught off Nungu for four with the total on 296, and Rocks had triumphed again.

Muzarabani, Nungu, Hondo and Raza all took two wickets each and no bowler was hit for more than seven an over, so once again it was a fine team performance that contributed towards victory.

**********************************************

Rhinos – 261 all out in 47.4 overs (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 73, Prince Masvaure 61, Tarisai Musakanda 34; Tapiwa Mufudza 3/38, Marshal Takodza 3/55, Daniel Jakiel 1/38)

Alliance Health Eagles – 266-4 in 42.1 overs (Marshal Takodza 76*, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 62, Tinotenda Mutombodzi 52*; Brandon Mavuta 3/64, Manson Chikowero 1/37)

Alliance Health Eagles won by six wickets 

A brilliant century partnership between Tino Mutombodzi and Marshal Takodza took Alliance Health Eagles home to a six-wicket victory over Rhinos in their Pro50 Championship match at Takashinga Sports Club on Sunday.

This was a meeting between two struggling sides, as Eagles had won only one of their four matches in the tournament so far, while Rhinos had lost all four.

Rhinos decided to bat on winning the toss, and Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Prince Masvaure gave them the ideal start, with an excellent opening partnership of 108 in less than 20 overs, before Kaitano was caught and bowled by Wessly Madhevere for an excellent innings of 73 off 72 balls.

He hit powerfully to record a six and 11 fours, and he certainly did his part to give his team an excellent start.

Tarisai Musakanda joined Masvaure and the pair kept the momentum going, adding 52 in nine overs before Takodza bowled Masvaure for 61, scored off 82 balls.

Musakanda was the third man to go at 185, caught off Takodza for 34 off 37 balls, and from this point onwards the innings began to lose its way.

Ryan Burl took 28 balls to score 14 before being caught off Brighton Zhawi.

Then began a procession of wickets at one end, as one batsman followed another back to the changing room without one of them staying long enough to reach double figures.

Johnathan Campbell did a fine job to hold up one end from No 5, scoring 33 not out from 28 balls, but he needed an equally capable partner for Rhinos to keep their advantage, and this he never found.

Tapiwa Mufudza did most of the damage at this stage, taking three wickets at a small cost as the batters tried unsuccessfully to get hold of his off-breaks.

The last eight Rhinos wickets actually fell in just over 12 overs for 76 runs, and the team was bowled out for 261 in the 48th over.

Eagles for their part had done very well to bowl themselves back into the game when they looked likely to concede 300 or more runs.

Mufudza finished with figures of three for 38 in 9.4 overs, while Takodza also took three wickets, these for 55 runs.

Eagles began their reply with all confidence of being able to chase down their target with time to spare.

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe played some dashing strokes, being particularly severe on the bowling of Carl Mumba, whom he hit for two fours and a six in four balls.

It was good to see the wholehearted Mike Chinouya back and bowling for Rhinos again, but his first spell of four overs cost 28 runs.

Eagles lost Gareth Chirawu lbw to Manson Chikowero for 13 with the score on 53 in the 10th over, but Kamunhukamwe and Kudzai Maunze continued to flog the bowling until Kamunhukamwe was caught off Brandon Mavuta for 62 off only 52 balls.

He hit three sixes and nine fours, and the score was 122 for two in the 18th over.

There was trouble in Mavuta’s next over, as he had Madhevere caught for three, going for a big hit, and off the next delivery bowled Maunze for 44.

Suddenly Eagles found themselves at 127 for four wickets in the 20th over.

They had the right men for the job though in Mutombodzi and Takodza, as the pair settled in and took command of the bowling.

Takodza was more aggressive than his more experienced partner, reaching his fifty first and then hammering one boundary after another as Eagles closed in on their target.

He finished with an unbeaten 76 off 71 balls, with 11 fours, but the honour of scoring the winning runs went to Mutombodzi, who hit Campbell for six to take Eagles home and at the same time bring up his own score to 52, made from 67 balls with two sixes and two fours.

The pair had put on 139 runs in 22 overs, and won the match with almost eight overs to spare.

Mavuta’s three quick wickets gave him the best bowling figures, three for 62 off his 10 overs, but Chikowero was the most economical, taking one for 37 in eight overs.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE

  • TEAM
  • Rocks
  • Mountaineers
  • Eagles
  • Tuskers
  • *Rhinos
  • M
  • 7
  • 5
  • 5
  • 6
  • 5
  • W
  • 6
  • 3
  • 2
  • 2
  • 0
  • L
  • 0
  • 2
  • 2
  • 4
  • 5
  • T
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • D
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • N/R
  • 1
  • 0
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • PT
  • 65
  • 30
  • 25
  • 20
  • -3
  • NRR
  • 0.453
  • 1.440
  • 0.864
  • -0.842
  • -1.639

Rocks were again the team to celebrate.

Williams effort in vain as Rocks edge Tuskers again in Pro50 clash

/in /by

Southern Rocks – 151 all out in 38.2 overs (Ben Curran 47, Richmond Mutumbami 28, Innocent Kaia 23; Sean Williams 3/21, John Nyumbu 3/24, Nkosana Mpofu 2/2)

Tuskers – 142 all out in 30.2 overs (Sean Williams 86, Brian Chari 9, Nkosana Mpofu 9; Sikandar Raza 3/49, Travor Mutsamba 2/7, Tendai Chisoro 2/14)

 

Southern Rocks won by nine runs

A remarkable lone hand of 86 out of a total of 142 by Sean Williams just failed to bring Tuskers a victory in their return Pro50 Championship match against Southern Rocks, who thus won in an exciting finish by nine runs at Masvingo Sports Club on Friday.

Rocks, put in to bat, suffered the shock of losing their most dangerous batsman, Cephas Zhuwao, to the first ball of the match when he edged a delivery from Charlton Tshuma to the keeper, Clive Madande.

However, Innocent Kaia and Ben Curran did their best to take over Zhuwao’s role as they attacked the bowling in fine style, bringing up the team fifty in the seventh over.

Kaia was then bowled by Ernest Masuku for 23 off 24 balls, but Richmond Mutumbami took his place and with Curran took the score to 105 in the 15th over.

Then came a disastrous batting collapse that turned the innings on its head, brought about by the spinners John Nyumbu and Williams.

Nyumbu had Mutumbami caught by Luke Jongwe for 28, scored off 24 balls, while Williams bowled Sikandar Raza second ball without scoring.

Tadiwanashe Marumani was lbw to Nyumbu for three, and then Curran’s fine innings of 47 off 62 balls came to an end as he was out in just the same way.

Williams then struck again, having William Mashinge caught at the wicket and Tendai Chisoro lbw, both for just two runs each.

Six wickets had fallen in 11 economical overs for 20 runs and Rocks were reeling at 125 for eight wickets.

Roy Kaia fought back, with help from Blessing Muzarabani, and by careful batting they saw off the two spinners and took the score to 148 before Nkosana Mpofu had Muzarabani caught at the wicket.

Mpofu then removed Kaia lbw for 22, scored carefully off 59 balls, to end the Rocks innings for a total of 151 in the 39th over.

Williams and Nyumbu both bowled out their 10 overs, taking vital wickets each and conceding only 21 and 24 runs respectively.

Mpofu, who replaced them, bowling off-spin, finished with figures of two wickets for two runs.

Tuskers now had an excellent chance of avenging their big defeat on Wednesday, but they did not begin well.

Mpofu and Brian Chari made 20 runs for the first wicket before the left-arm spinner Chisoro, opening the bowling with Muzarabani, removed them both to catches in quick succession for nine runs each – 22 for two in the sixth over.

Williams came in at number four and scored freely and confidently from the start.

Given one good partner, he would certainly have taken Tuskers through to victory, but he never found one who lasted more than 23 balls — which was Taffy Mupariwa at number three, who scored eight.

His best partnership was one of 36 for the fourth wicket with Milton Shumba, who was caught off Raza for seven.

Clive Madande briefly showed some spirit to score eight, but otherwise the rest of the innings was a steady procession of low scores and quick departures, and when Nyumbu managed to hit his wicket against the bowling of Travor Mutsamba, nine wickets were down for 137.

Fifteen to win by the last wicket was quite possible, as Tshuma has played some stubborn defensive innings, but this time it was Williams who unexpectedly got out, having taken his team to the verge of victory.

He was caught by Marumani off Mutsamba’s bowling, and Rocks were again the team to celebrate.

Williams scored over 60 percent of his side’s total, facing 74 balls for his 86 and hitting two sixes and 11 fours.

Raza bowled his 10 overs for an expensive 49 runs, but he took three wickets, while there were two each for Muzarabani, Chisoro and Mutsamba.

**************************************

Mountaineers – 293-9 in 50 overs (Tony Munyonga 95, Donald Tiripano 77, Wellington Masakadza 36; Carl Mumba 3/32, Davis Murwendo 2/45, Kudakwashe Macheka 2/51)

Rhinos – 177 all out in 38.1 overs (Tashinga Musekiwa 73*, Kudakwashe Macheka 30, Johnathan Campbell 23; Tendai Chatara 4/43, Tony Munyonga 3/23, Shingi Masakadza 1/18)

 

Mountaineers won by 116 runs

Tony Munyonga and Donald Tiripano turned the tables on a largely dismal Rhinos side at Mutare Sports Club on Friday as they rescued their team from a bad start and turned it into another big victory for Mountaineers by 116 runs.

Mountaineers, who were put in to bat, made a disastrous start to their innings as Carl Mumba tore open their top-order batting.

On 13 Mumba had Kevin Kasuza caught by Johnathan Campbell for three, and followed it by dismissing Ben Compton to a catch by Kuda Macheka for nine.

Macheka then had PJ Moor caught by Brandon Mavuta for nine before Mumba bowled out Timycen Maruma for four.

Thus the top four Mountaineers batsmen, who had given the Rhinos bowlers such a hammering on Wednesday, were all gone with only 32 runs on the board.

But the recovery was magnificent, led by Munyonga, who so often is at his best in a crisis.

He was joined by Tiripano and the two of them turned the innings right around with a superb fifth-wicket partnership of 150 in 24 overs.

Munyonga well deserved a century, but was unfortunately caught off Macheka for 95, scored off only 87 balls with four sixes and seven fours.

On his departure Tiripano took up the role of aggressor and took the score to 240 before he was caught off Davis Murwendo for 77, scored off 77 balls with three sixes and six fours.

Wellington Masakadza gave him good support, scoring 36 himself.

Even the last pair of John Masara (10 not out) and Tinashe Muchawaya (14 not out) made a useful unbroken 23 for the last wicket in less than four overs.

The final total was 293 for nine wickets, a difficult target for Rhinos to chase.

Mumba’s final bowling figures were three for 32 in his 10 overs, while Macheka and Murwendo both took two wickets.

Rhinos were soon deep in trouble, as in his first two overs Tendai Chatara ripped out their two opening batsmen, both lbw — Bright Matsiwe to the first ball he faced and Takudzwanashe Kaitano for five; 15 for two.

The story of woe continued, as Shingi Masakadza chipped in by having Ryan Burl caught for four, while Chatara took a third in Prince Masvaure, caught for six, to make the score 20 for four within five overs.

There was a brief rally, as Neville Madziva scored 17 in partnership with Johnathan Campbell, before being caught by Maruma off Wellington Masakadza for 17; 55 for five after 12 overs.

Musekiwa then joined Campbell, who scored 23 before being caught by Kasuza off Munyonga; 73 for six.

Perhaps the only hope for Rhinos now would be a thunderous innings from Mumba, but he was run out by Moor off the first ball he faced, and it was as good as game over for the visitors.

Musekiwa was not going to go down without a fight, though, and he put up a fine performance, especially when the last man Macheka joined him at 100 for nine wickets.

He moved to his fifty off 55 balls, and Macheka joined in, no doubt surprising the Mountaineers bowlers with the fighting spirit of their resistance.

The best partnership of the innings before now had been 35, but this gallant pair put on 77 together in 15 overs before finally Macheka was caught by Moor off Munyonga for 30 to end the match, Musekiwa being not out with 73 off 72 balls, with 2 sixes and 7 fours.

The total was 177.

 

Chatara with four for 43 was the best bowler, well backed up by Munyonga who had three for 23 to add to his magnificent innings.

This was Mountaineers’ first match in the List A competition, as they had a bye in the fixtures played last week.

Mountaineers pummel Rhinos, as Rocks’ unbeaten run continues

/in /by

Mountaineers – 363-9 in 50 overs (Ben Compton 102, PJ Moor 69, Timycen Maruma 65; Tashinga Musekwa 5/68, Davis Murwendo 2/37, Brandon Mavuta 1/54)

Rhinos – 177 all out in 41.1 overs (Prince Masvaure 33, Brandon Mavuta 31, Neville Madziva 21; John Masara 4/41, Donald Tiripano 1/19, Wellington Masakadza 1/23)

Mountaineers won by 186 runs

A fine century by overseas opening batter Ben Compton led the way as Mountaineers compiled a huge total of 363 for nine wickets on their home ground at Mutare Sports Club, before they eventually trounced Rhinos by 186 runs in a Pro50 Championship match on Wednesday.

This was Mountaineers’ first match in the List A competition, as they had a bye in the fixtures played last week.

Kevin Kasuza got them off to a good start by hitting six fours in his innings of 37 off 34 balls, putting on 57 for the first wicket with Compton, of Northamptonshire in England.

Then Mountaineers really took charge, as PJ Moor joined Compton and the pair hammered the bowling for 115 runs together for the second wicket before Moor was caught off Tashinga Musekiwa for 69, scored off 58 balls.

The tempo increased still further as Timycen Maruma flayed the bowling more vigorously than anybody, his 65 coming off only 35 balls as he put on exactly 100 for the third wicket with Compton.

At his dismissal Mountaineers had 272 runs on the board for three wickets in the 39th over.

In such a situation, the middle order all hit out as best they could and lost their wickets in the service of the side.

Compton was sixth out at 319 in the 44th over – he had scored 102 off 122 balls with seven fours.

Of the later batters, Donald Tiripano scored 14 and Wellington Masakadza 18 not out.

Musekiwa, although taking a lot of punishment, kept persevering and finished with five wickets for 68 off the eight overs he bowled.

The final total was 363 for nine wickets off their 50 overs.

Davis Murwendo took two wickets, but all the Rhinos bowlers went for more than six runs an over.

Rhinos had little chance of matching such a huge score, with all the batters forced to attack the bowling at all costs from the start.

Their first four wickets fell for 47 runs in 11 overs, all to different bowlers.

Prince Masvaure and Neville Madziva stemmed the tide for a while by adding 46 together, scoring 33 and 21 respectively.

Carl Mumba played the most attacking innings with 19 off 23 balls, while Brandon Mavuta made 31.

John Masara picked up four wickets for 41 runs from the middle-order and later batters, while six other bowlers took a wicket each, as Rhinos were bowled out for 177 in 41.1 overs.

**************************************

Southern Rocks – 185 all out in 42 overs (Cephas Zhuwao 42, Richmond Mutumbami 27, Ben Curran 24; Milton Shumba 3/18, Charlton Tshuma 2/28, Luke Jongwe 2/28)

Tuskers – 115 all out in 28.2/31 overs (target: 145) (Taffy Mupariwa 28, Nkosana Mpofu 20, Clive Madande 20; Blessing Muzarabani 3/18, Sikandar Raza 2/20, Tendai Chisoro 2/23)

Southern Rocks won by 29 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method) 

In a low-scoring Pro50 Championship match at Masvingo Sports Club, a powerfully-hit 42 by Cephas Zhuwao had the most influence in Southern Rocks’ victory – their third in as many matches – by 29 runs over Tuskers.

Put in to bat, Rocks lost Innocent Kaia, caught off Charlton Tshuma for two, but Zhuwao and Northamptonshire batter Ben Curran attacked the bowling in good style to put on 67 for the second wicket in eight overs.

This proved to be the largest and most decisive partnership of the match, until Curran was also caught off Tshuma for 24 and, with the score still on 73, Zhuwao was caught at the wicket off Luke Jongwe for 42, having faced 35 balls and hit two sixes and five fours.

The middle order made some useful runs, with Richmond Mutumbami (27) and Sikandar Raza (13) taking the score past 100.

Tadiwanashe Marumani and William Mashinge made 21 and 13 respectively, but, with Milton Shumba picking up three cheap wickets from the tail, the final score was a rather unimpressive 185 in 42 overs.

Shumba took three wickets for 18 runs, while there were two wickets each for Tshuma, Jongwe and John Nyumbu, the latter conceding only 29 runs off his 10 overs in the process.

Rain had interrupted play, so that Tuskers had to score 145 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis regulations in 31 overs to win.

They lost Brian Chari, caught at the wicket off Blessing Muzarabani from the first ball he faced, but then Nkosana Mpofu and Taffy Mupariwa got the runs coming.

Raza came on and had Mpofu caught by Kaia for 20, and then followed two vital blows, as Travor Mutsamba had Sean Williams caught at the wicket for seven and Raza bowled Shumba for one to reduce Tuskers to 45 for four in the 11th over.

Mupariwa held the innings together with 28 off 55 balls before being run out by Kaia, but Rocks had taken a grip on the innings which they never relaxed.

Briefly, Clive Madande (20) and Jongwe (10) took the score past 100, but when both were out the tail had nothing to offer and Rocks finished off the innings for 115 all out in only 28.2 overs.

Muzarabani took the last two wickets to finish with three for 18, while Raza and Tendai Chisoro took two each.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE

  • TEAM
  • Rocks
  • Mountaineers
  • Eagles
  • Tuskers
  • Rhinos
  • M
  • 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 3
  • W
  • 3
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • L
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • T
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • PT
  • 30
  • 10
  • 10
  • 10
  • 0
  • NRR
  • 0.615
  • 3.720
  • 1.903
  • -1.556
  • -1.997
Player of the Match Craig Ervine scored 118, an outstanding innings off exactly 100 balls and containing four sixes and eight fours.

Ervine, Chari lead fight-back as Tuskers stun Eagles

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Alliance Health Eagles – 314 all out in 48.5 overs (Regis Chakabva 122, Tino Mutombodzi 93, Chamu Chibhabha 39; Ernest Masuku 6/50, Sean Williams 2/41, Charlton Tshuma 1/55)

Tuskers – 315-6 in 47.5 overs (Craig Ervine 118, Brian Chari 88, Luke Jongwe 42*; Wessly Madhevere 2/40, Tanaka Chivanga 2/85, Richard Ngarava 1/51)

 

Tuskers won by four wickets

Tuskers enjoyed a brilliant second-wicket partnership of 188 between Craig Ervine and Brian Chari as they chased down a large target of 315 to stun Alliance Health Eagles by four wickets in their second Pro50 Championship meeting at Mutare Sports Club on Saturday.

Tuskers won the toss and put Eagles in to bat.

Ernest Masuku struck in the second over when he had Marshal Takodza caught by the veteran John Nyumbu without scoring in the second over, with only a single on the board.

His partner Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was also caught by Nyumbu off Sean Williams for 17, to make Eagles 32 for two in the 11th over.

There followed a good partnership between the captain Chamu Chibhabha and Regis Chakabva for the third wicket, taking the score to 97 in the 23rd over before Nyumbu took his third successive catch to remove Chibhabha for 39, also off Williams.

Wessly Madhevere scored only nine before he was bowled by Masuku.

The Eagles innings was now at a crossroads as Tino Mutombodzi joined Chakabva, the score being 109 for four in the 25th over and the last pair of proven batsmen together.

They rose to the situation superbly, taking complete charge of the bowling and hitting it all over the field as the runs flowed.

So dominant were they that 12 sixes flowed from their bats, while they hit six fours between them.

They added 186 brilliantly together for the fifth wicket in just 21 overs, taking the score to exactly 295 in the 46th over before Chakabva was given out lbw to Charlton Tshuma for 122.

He scored his runs off only 97 balls, hitting seven sixes and two fours.

Mutombodzi unfortunately missed his century, being caught by Milton Shumba off Masuku for 93 – he faced just 69 balls and hit five sixes and four fours.

The last few batsmen went for broke as they hit out in an attempt to keep the runs coming quickly, but had little success.

The last five wickets went down in 14 balls, four of them to Masuku, whose final figures off 9.5 overs were six wickets for 50 runs.

Williams was the most economical of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 41 in 10 overs.

The final score was an impressive 314, bowled out with seven balls to spare, a very difficult target for Tuskers to chase.

They made a bad start, losing Nkosana Mpofu in the third over, caught at the wicket off Richard Ngarava for two with the score at nine.

Then Ervine joined Chari at the crease, and the pair began to turn the match around with some superb batting.

They got right on top of the bowling and scored at better than a run a ball as they added 188 for the second wicket in 27 overs.

At 197 the desperate Eagles bowlers finally broke the partnership, as Madhevere bowled out Chari for 88, scored off 91 balls with five sixes and four fours.

The next man, Sean Williams, soon followed him, caught off Madhevere for four; 209 for three.

This was no doubt awkward for Ervine, who was on 96 at this stage, but he did not let it affect his concentration and a four off Keith Jaure took him to his century off 84 balls.

Milton Shumba played wisely, allowing Ervine to take command, and as long as he was at the crease Tuskers would win if he had reliable partners.

Then at 237 it all changed, as Tanaka Chivanga produced the vital ball that bowled Ervine for 118, an outstanding innings off exactly 100 balls and containing four sixes and eight fours.

It was now anybody’s game, as Tuskers with six wickets left needed 78 to win off 13.4 overs – not too difficult on paper, but Eagles in such a situation are a dangerous team.

And so it proved, as Shumba and Luke Jongwe tried hard to score the necessary runs by safe, sound cricket.

However, Jaure had Shumba caught by Chibhabha for 10, while Chivanga then removed Clive Madande through a catch by Kamunhukamwe.

This made the score 271 for six, with 44 needed with four wickets in hand in 6.4 overs.

Jongwe and his new partner, Alvin Chiradza, went for the runs – 21 were needed off the last four overs.

Showing remarkable determination and confidence, they did the job in two.

Chiradza hit two successive fours off Ngarava, and then Jongwe took on Jaure, hitting a six and a four, besides a single to each batsman, and Tuskers were home with a fine victory.

Jongwe finished with 42 off 39 balls, Chiradza with 19 off 13, and Tuskers had done superbly well to make up for their defeat in their first match, followed by a large total against them this morning.

*****************************************

Southern Rocks – 248-8 in 50 overs (Sikandar Raza 60, Cephas Zhuwao 43, Tendai Chisoro 32; Carl Mumba 4/55, Ryan Burl 2/26, Kudakwashe Macheka 1/38)

Rhinos – 94-3 in 24/24 overs (target: 109)(Takudzwanashe Kaitano 46*, Ryan Burl 17, Prince Masvaure 15; William mashinge 1/22, Blessing Muzarabani 1/24)

 

Southern Rocks won by 14 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method)

Rain in the afternoon again brought to an end a good Pro50 Championship match at Kwekwe Sports Club, with Southern Rocks and Rhinos evenly balanced and needing Duckworth-Lewis to find a winner for the second time.

Rocks batted on winning the toss, and thus unleashed their key one-day player, Cephas Zhuwao, on their opponents immediately.

Zhuwao scored a single in the first over, from Carl Mumba, and then blazed four fours off Neville Madziva’s first over.

His partners were not so successful, as Innocent Kaia was lbw to Kuda Macheka for eight and Tadiwanashe Marumani brilliantly caught on the square-leg boundary by Tashinga Musekwa off Mumba for five.

Zhuwao himself raced to 43 off 25 balls before he skyed a catch to Takudzwanashe Kaitano at mid-off and left with the score at 63 for three wickets, in only the seventh over of the innings.

Richmond Mutumbami and Sikandar Raza steadied the innings by adding 57 for the fourth wicket in 12 overs before Mutumbami edged a catch to Prince Masvaure at slip off Ryan Burl for 23.

Roy Kaia scored only seven before he was out exactly the same way at 130 for five after 23 overs.

There now followed a period when Raza and William Mashinge became quite bogged down against good spin bowling from Burl, Brandon Mavuta and Johnathan Campbell, and in 15 overs they scored only 39 runs before Campbell had Mashinge lbw for 18.

Tendai Chisoro came in, and with Raza was beginning to improve the scoring rate again, Raza reaching his fifty off 90 balls.

At 194 in the 43rd over, however, misfortune occurred as Raza, suffering from cramps, was forced to retire hurt for 60 off 96 balls, soon after hitting a six.

With the overs running out, Chisoro and Blessing Muzarabani attacked the bowling, but Mumba returned to dismiss them both, Muzarabani well caught by Kaitano near the midwicket boundary and Chisoro bowled for 32.

After 50 overs the score was 248 for eight wickets, with Travor Mutsamba on eight and Nkosi Nungu one.

Mumba took four of the wickets, but was expensive, his seven overs travelling for 55 runs.

Burl bowled his 10 overs to take two wickets for only 26 runs, while Mavuta bowled nine overs for only 29 and Musekwa seven for only 20 – invaluable economical bowling for Rhinos that prevented the Rocks batters from taking charge in the middle order.

Rhinos found Kaitano in good form, and he put on 34 for the first wicket in eight overs with Masvaure, who was run out by Marumani for 15.

This was followed by the lbw dismissal of Charles Kunje by Mashinge for six at 43 for two, and then Ryan Burl made 17 before being bowled by Muzarabani for 17; 79 for three.

Nyasha Mayavo came in, but so did the rain, and the players were forced off the field at 94 for three – Kaitano 46, and Mayavo three – and they were unable to return.

 

Rocks thus won the match by 14 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis calculation.