By Ashley Dube
The Southern Rocks made it three wins in three in this year's Pro 50 Championship with a 29 run victory over the Matabeleland Tuskers. The match was held at Masvingo Sports Club which is the first top flight encounter to be held there since 2014.
The Tuskers won the toss and elected to field first. Cephas Zhuwao as usual started like a house on fire with his quick-fire 42 off 36 balls before being caught behind off Jongwe’s bowling. He forged a 50 run partnership with Ben Curran who was making his maiden appearance this season. Curran was out for 24, caught by veteran spinner John Nyumbu off the bowling of Charlton Tshuma.
Richmond Mutumbani and Tadiwanashe Marumani chipped in with 20+ scores each but other than that there was no significant bowling from the rest of the Rocks' batting line up as they were all bowled out for 185 in 42 overs.
Milton Shumba finished with impressive figures of 3-18 in his 8 overs. The second innings got disrupted by rain, and the target was revised to 145 by Duckworth-Lewis method. The Tuskers never got going in the run chase, largely due to the tight bowling by Chevron pair Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chisoro as they were bowled out for 129. Blessing Muzarabani was named man of the match. With their third win in as many matches the Rocks retained their place on top of the table.
At Mutare Sports Club the Mountaineers walloped the Midwest Rhinos by a mammoth 186 runs. After being put to bat first, the Mountaineers put the Rhinos bowling attack to the sword as they posted 363 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted fifty overs.
Englishman Ben Compton anchored the innings brilliantly with a well-crafted century (102). He was ably supported by his fellow top order mates who scored freely alongside him as skipper Kevin Kasuza made 37 off 34 balls, Peter Moor 69 off 58 balls and Timycen Maruma 65 off 35 balls.
The Rhinos bowlers also conceded 33 runs in extras. The batting performance was similarly woeful as the Rhinos were bundled out for 177 in 41 overs. Prince Masvaure was the only who showed a little resistance with his 33. Leg spinner John Masara shone for the Mountaineers with career best figures of 4-41.
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