ASHLEY DUBE
HARARE – Southern Rocks claimed a comfortable six-wicket victory over the defending champions, Eagles, in the opening match of the 2024/25 Pro50 Championship at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield, Harare, on Friday. Craig Ervine, stood tall with the first hundred of the season, hitting a magnificent 135 runs, but his efforts were not sufficiently supported as Eagles were bowled for 239.
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| Southern Rocks in their match against Eagles [Image: Zimbabwe Cricket Domestic] |
The Eagles, having won the toss, were sent in to bat but lost their first three wickets, two of them to Takudzwa Chataira, for only 10 runs. Ervine and Rodney Mupfudza (23) steadied the ship, taking the score to 63, but six wickets were down for 87 runs.
Tapiwa Mufudza then provided gallant support, scoring 32 and adding 83 for the seventh wicket with Ervine. However, no other batsman managed to reach double figures, leaving Ervine stranded at the crease.
Ervine, the last man out in the 47th over, finished with a magnificent 135 runs off 133 balls, hitting five sixes and 12 fours. Chataira was the most successful bowler for the Rocks, taking three wickets for 44 runs.
The Rocks' chase got off to a shaky start when they lost Cephas Zhuwao for eight, but Tafadzwa Tsiga (40) and Roy Kaia (68) put on a strong partnership to take the score to 108. Johnathan Campbell then took control, smashing 77 not out off 69 balls, with Saifuddin Zaib (26 not out) providing valuable support in the final stretch.
The Rocks reached their target with six wickets in hand, proving too strong for the defending champions.
Tuskers see off Rhinos
Tuskers secured a three-wicket victory over Rhinos in a rain-affected Pro50 Championship match at Kwekwe Sports Club on Friday. The match was decided by the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain intervened.
Luke Jongwe starred for Tuskers, smashing an unbeaten 63 off 68 balls, leading his side to victory after a shaky start. Rhinos, who batted first led by a blistering 44 off 37 balls from Solomon Mire, posted 160 all out in 31.4 overs. Mire was making his return to cricket following retirement in 2019. Ernest Masuku was the pick of the Tuskers bowlers, taking five wickets for 62 runs.
Tuskers, however, stumbled early in their chase, losing three wickets for just 15 runs. Sean Williams (29 off 22 balls) provided some resistance, but it was Jongwe who ultimately steered his side to victory, with Adrian Mupembe (21) offering crucial support.
Returning from injury, Brad Evans took three wickets for 32 runs for Rhinos, but the Tuskers held their nerve to secure a crucial win.
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