Tuskers and Rocks Start on a Winning Note as the Pro50 Championship 2022/23 Season Gets Underway

ASHLEY DUBE

The Zimbabwe Pro50 Championship 2022-2023 cricket season commenced with a double header, with the Alliance Health Eagles facing the Matebeleland Tuskers whereas Southern Rocks locked horns with Midwest Rhinos. Devoid of national team players [who flew off to Australia for the T20 World Cup] the franchises resorted to their fringe players for the opening round of fixtures.

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At Harare Sports Club the Eagles gave Aliabakar Hamid his List A debut as well as welcoming fast bowler Faraz Akram who was out injured for a year. Tadiwanashe Marumani also made his first appearance for the Mashonaland based side following his move from Rocks. 

The Tuskers, batting first, had a decent start with opener Tanunurwa Makoni scoring 64 runs off 94 balls before he was clean-bowled by Tapiwa Mufudza. 

Tapiwa led the wicket taking column for the Eagles, finishing with figures of 4-26. Debutant Ali Hamid impressed with the ball finishing with figures of 3-21 including the one of fellow half centurion Alvin Chiradza who fell on 58. The Tuskers were bowled out for 194.

The Eagles were expected to chase the score easily following Tadiwanashe Marumani’s fast start, racing to a quick-fire 34. 

With the exception of skipper Chamu Chibhabha (21), no other batter managed to cross twenty as the Alliance Health Eagles were dismissed cheaply for 151, giving a 43 run victory to the Tuskers. 

Spinner Tanatswa Bechani was unplayable finishing with figures of 4-27 with an outstanding economy of 2.79.

At Masvingo Sports Club, Southern Rocks clinched a 4-wicket win over Midwest Rhinos in a relatively high scoring affair. Rhinos put on a solid 277 in their allotted fifty overs. 

Charles Kunje provided the platform with a solid 88 — 12 short of his maiden List A hundred. Brandon Mavuta blitzed a quick-fire 47 at the back end of the innings. 

In response, the Rocks made light work of the better part of the chase; with Cephas Zhuwao in top form, racing to an entertaining knock of 99 before he was stumped off the bowling of Charles Kunje. 

Ben Curran on the other hand saw his team through with an unbeaten 67. Tendai Chisoro scored the winning runs smacking a four wide of long-on.

Ben Curran has made himself available for the Chevrons following his contract with county side Northants expiring. After spending the previous seasons as an overseas player, he is set to have a crack at International cricket with Zimbabwe.