By Ashley Dube & Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza
The race for the 2021/2022 Logan Cup season – the
hallmark first-class cricket league in Zimbabwe – is heating up with only three points separating
the top three franchises from the much-coveted first-class glory.
And
it is evident that domestic cricket in Zimbabwe is punctuated with some exciting
news.
As
well as exciting cricket players in Zimbabwe.
Following the latest round of the Logan Cup 2021/2022
matches played between the 31st of January to the 3rd of February
2022, the momentum in Zimbabwe's oldest first-class cricket competition is intense.
The Alliance Health Eagles fell to an innings
loss as the Rocks posted a mammoth 512-8 declared in their only batting-innings
of the match.
Tadiwanashe Marumani got his first hundred in
professional cricket with a chanceless 102. The 20-year-old, known for his
aggressive approach, was surprisingly cautious with his knock; coming in 361
deliveries before he was bowled out by off-spinner Tafadzwa Mufudza.
Marumani
was supported by Innocent Kaia (88), Ben Curran (75), Tafadzwa Tsiga (84) and
William Mashinge (59).
The response by the Eagles was weak as they
were all out for 166 with new signing Will Fraine top scoring with 45.
They
showed some resistance in the beginning of their second innings, with Fraine
leading the charge. He was dismissed 12 runs of his centurion and from there
onwards the
Eagles
failed to stitch up partnerships following the departure of Fraine. Coupled
with the excellent bowling who took yet another 5 wicket haul, with four of
them coming in one over as he made light work of the tail.
The other encounter pitting table-topping
Matebeleland Tuskers and Manicaland Mountaineers finished as a draw with bad
light and rain interrupting play on the 4th day.
Tendai
Chatara took a five-for in the Tuskers’ first innings as they were bowled out for
a paltry 125.
Mountaineers failed to build a substantive
lead as they failed to reach 200 themselves and were bowled out for 184.
Ernest
Masuku reached a personal milestone claiming his 100th first-class
wicket as he finished with figures of 5-52.
The
batting improved in the second innings as the Tuskers cricket team posted 397.
Englishman Nick Grubbins top scored with 174 with youngster Tanunurwa Makoni
(67) and Clive Madande (54) providing support.
The Mountaineers cricket team responded with valiant
displays of resolute and sensible batting performances as they managed to
secure a draw.
Ben
Compton top scored with an unbeaten 109. They finished on 171-4 before the
captains agreed on the sharing of spoils.
Tuskers
lead with 33 points in the 2021/2022 Logan Cup log standings, followed by Mountaineers
and Rocks with 30 points each.
The
Eagles team is perched at 4th with 25 points while Rhinos is last with
20 points.
The
latest round of Zimbabwe's 2021-22 Logan Cup fixtures and results – which is the
28th edition of the competition – provides a glimmer of optimism for cricket in Zimbabwe
– there is lots of talent!
Zimbabwe's
domestic cricket in 2021 and 2022 furnishes ardent followers of the game with positive
statements of intent.
And
despite some blighted aspects in the history of the cricket game in Zimbabwe – and
in the present – there is always exciting action to look forward to in the Logan
Cup cricket league.
Which is good news for cricket in Zimbabwe. For
that competitive edge.
One can follow Logan Cup 2021/2022 live scores and updates on sites such as ZimCricket.org, ESPNCricInfo, among others.
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