Trio’s centuries propel Rhinos to highest first-class total in 20 years
Rhinos – 621-9 declared in 139.5 overs (Prince Masvaure 166, Antum Naqvi 108, Remembrance Nyathi 100*; Takudzwa Chataira 4/100, Priviledge Chesa 4/159, Nigel Mupurura 1/104)
Southern Rocks – 112-5 in 37 overs (Gabriel Jaya 41, Brian Mudzinganyama 37, Jayden Schadendorf 17*; Brandon Mavuta 4/60, Antum Naqvi 1/29)
Day 2 – Stumps: Southern Rocks trail by 509 runs
Masterful centuries from Prince Masvaure, Antum Naqvi and Remembrance Nyathi drove Rhinos to a mammoth 621 for nine declared on the second day of their Logan Cup match against Southern Rocks at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
This is the highest total scored in first-class cricket in Zimbabwe since Mashonaland scored 703 against Matabeleland at Country Club in 2003/04.
It is not a record for a Midlands-based team, though, as they compiled the highest innings total in any first-class match played on Zimbabwean soil, 715 for eight declared, when playing as Midlands against Manicaland at Mutare Sports Club in 2002/03.
The score overnight was 378 for four wickets, with Masvaure unbeaten with 158.
Unfortunately, he failed to reach a double-century, being soon out in the morning, caught by Cephas Zhuwao off the bowling of Nigel Mupurura for 166, having hit 21 fours and faced 396 deliveries.
Nyathi, who came in at the start of play, was the main figure for the rest of the innings, scoring a fine 100 not out.
He received good support from his aggressive partners Brandon Mavuta and Carl Mumba in stands worth 89 and 63 for the eighth and ninth wickets.
Mavuta scored 46 off 52 balls and Mumba 34 off 35, including four sixes and a four.
Nyathi was on 87 when Mumba was out, but the last man, Mike Chinouya, blocked out the bowling while Nyathi swept to his century off 159 balls, with 13 fours.
Immediately afterwards Masvaure, the Rhinos captain, declared and tea was taken.
Takudzwa Chataira and Priviledge Chesa took four wickets each, but at a three-figure cost in runs.
Rocks had a huge mountain to climb, but early on their ascent was good, as Brian Mudzinganyama (37) and Gabriel Jaya (41) put on 77 for the first wicket.
When Mavuta broke the stand by dismissing Jaya, though, there was a collapse, as he took three further wickets in nine balls, and then caught Cephas Zhuwao off Naqvi for four.
Former Under-19 player Jayden Schadendorf, making his first-class début batting at number three, survived the slump and stayed till the close, when he had 17.
The score was then 112 for five, with Mupurura his partner on seven.
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Mega Market Mountaineers – 320 all out in 86 overs (Definate Mawadzi 78, Clive Chitumba 60*, Baxon Gopito 49; Tanatswa Bechani 3/57, Ernest Masuku 3/71, Tawanda Maposa 2/27)
Tuskers – 352-7 in 92 overs (Tafara Mupariwa 91, Luke Jongwe 88, Nkosana Mpofu 57; Vincent Masekesa 3/105, Baxon Gopito 2/4, Dion Myers 1/27)
Day 2 – Stumps: Tuskers lead by 32 runs
A good opening partnership of 111 between Tuskers opening batters Nkosana Mpofu and Tafara Mupariwa began a spirited reply to Mega Market Mountaineers’ first-innings score of 320 in the Logan Cup match at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Overnight they had scored 12 without loss, and they continued their stand on Thursday until well after lunch, before Mpofu was caught at the wicket off Dion Myers for 57 in the 41st over.
Clive Madande, relieved of the wicket-keeping gloves but promoted to number three, hit an aggressive 42 off 35 balls before he was out at a healthy score of 191 for two.
Mupariwa continued to bat until he reached 91, when he was caught at 243 for four, with Vincent Masekesa, the eighth bowler used, coming good for Mountaineers by taking the last three wickets.
Now it was the turn of Luke Jongwe with the bat, and he hit powerfully to score 88 out of 119 scored while he was at the wicket, with three sixes and 11 fours off 77 balls.
When he was fifth out at 320, Tuskers had equalled the Mountaineers score.
They finished the day on 352 for seven wickets, with Dalubhle Mboyi on 25 and the number nine, Tanatswa Bechani, having just come in and yet to score.
