Tuskers staring at defeat against Mashonaland Eagles

15 Apr, 2018 - 00:04 0 Views

The Sunday News

Senior Sports Reporter
ALREADY crowned Logan Cup first class cricket competition champions for the 2014/15 season Matabeleland Tuskers are on the verge of suffering their third defeat of the season unless if they post a competitive total against Mashonaland Eagles on the final day of the four-day contest at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo today.

Tuskers, blown away for 252 runs in their first innings had a slender lead of 36 runs over Eagles who posted 356 runs in their own first innings.

Left handed opening batsman Nkosana Mpofu was the highest run scorer for Tuskers in the first innings with 71 runs. Left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza was the pick of the visitors bowlers with five wickets for 47 runs.

An unbeaten 168 runs from Joylord Gumbie saw Eagles take a 104 run first innings lead.

In their second innings, Tuskers were in trouble in the second over when Mpofu departed for a two ball duck when he was bowled by Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi. Fellow opener Bonaparte Mujuru chipped in 39 runs while veteran Keith Dabengwa contributed 54 runs to the home team’s second innings score of 140 runs for seven wickets.

Right arm medium pace bowler Tafadzwa Muzarawetu has so far picked up three wickets while Masakadza has two wickets to his name.

Having rested some of their key players, Tuskers would be hoping to give Eagles a competitive target to chase.

At Kwekwe Sports Club, MidWest Rhinos defeated Mountaineers by 181 runs inside three days.

The two teams clash in a Pro50 Championship fixture at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday which should determine the venue of the final match of the limited overs competition, to be played on Saturday. Tuskers are on top of the log with 26 points while Eagles are second with 21 points.

Both teams are most likely to field their players who were part of Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2015 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

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