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Series Thread: Logan Cup 2008-09

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Legend

Opening post

Good performance by Bernald Mlambo (158), Stuart Matsikenyeri (85) [Why he making runs :( ] , Hamilton Masakadza (51).

Forster Mutizwa with yet another half cenury (51). Now he has 4 half centuries and 3 centuries under his belt and a FC average of 36.

Justice Chibhabha batted well making an unbeaten 82.

On the contrary, in the bowling prospective, well bowled Tafadzwa Kamungozi (5/130). It's surprising that he has already played 4 ODIs with 5 wickets at 32. But with so many spinners sticking around in the national arena, it has become impossible for him to make an impression but only can be considered as a 'A' team specialist.

Well bowled, Prosper Utseya (5/45).
ZCF Hall of Famer

Logan Cup (Round 5)

Easterns vs Centrals

Estns (10/453, B Mlambo 158, T Kamungozi 5/130) def. Ctrls (10/275, M Waller 85, P Utseya 4/54 & 10/169, C Chibhabha 82, P Utseya 7/56)

Logan Cup (Round 5)

Northerns vs Westerns

Nthns (10/245, E Chigumbura 46, K Dabengwa 3/58 & 8/308, P Masvaure 90, C Mpofu 4/64) def. Wstns (10/220, C Coventry 76, G Cremer 5/53 & 10/332, C Coventry 106, S Williams 102, E Chigumbura 5/71)


So Easterns hammered Centrals, as you'd expect. Good return for Utseya who ended with 7 wickets.

On to the Westerns match. After being exposed for poor performance in the media ( :oops: ) it was good to see they put up a fight, led by Coventry (76 and 106) and Williams (102). In true Westerns fashion though, they clenched defeat from the jaws of victory, letting Northerns off the hook with a 2 wicket win - courtesy of an unbeaten 50 odd from Garwe. I feel another Westerns joke coming on here... 😂

A Northerns supporter arrived at the CFX Academy ground and asked for a ticket to see Northerns vs Westerns. Since he hadn't been to a match for a while, he needed to enquire about the prices. "How much does it cost to get in?" the supporter asked. "6 dollars", said the ticket seller. "Well, here's 3. I'm only going to watch one team."
No offence or owt brmtaylor admin, but ya jokes are terrible.
ZCF Hall of Famer

ahmed wrote:No offence or owt brmtaylor admin, but ya jokes are terrible.


Well they are meant to be light hearted, it's not really Robin Williams-esque level humour here 😂
Veteran
Matsikenyeri is havin a great logan cup, him masakadza and muztiwa and waller have been the best batsman so far this series.
Legend
Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=678


Northerns seal victory over valiant Westerns

Westerns 1st innings 220 all out in 79.4 overs (C.Coventry 76, K.Dabengwa 57 T.Ngulube 47* G.Cremer 5/53 R.Price 2/54)

Northerns 1st innings 245 all out in 77.4 overs (E.Chigumbura 46, T.Garwe 45*, T.Taibu 38 K.Dabengwa 3/58, T.Mupariwa 3/64 C.Mpofu 2/45)

Westerns 2nd innings 332 all out 85.2 overs (C.Coventry 106, S.Williams 102, K.Dabengwa 46, E.Chigumbura 5/71 R.Price 2/37)

Northerns 2nd innings 308 for 8 73.1 overs (P.Masvaure 90, T.Garwe 56* C.Mpofu 4/64 T.Mupariwa 2/105)

WESTERNS made all the noise and effort but Northerns swept away with the game and a two wicket victory in the fifth round of the Logan Cup on the last day at the Academy with 15.4 overs of play remaining when Trevor Garwe unbeaten 56 saw them over the line to leave Westerns devastated after a valiant charge in the innings.

Northerns recorded their fourth victory in five matches to maintain the defence of the title hopes alive after rivals Easterns also beat Centrals going into the last and deciding match at Old Hararians on Tuesday. Easterns lead the log with four wins and a draw.

But Northerns victory came from the unlikely source of Garwe, who batting at number nine rescued the match with an unbeaten half century in which he faced 108 balls hitting six fours in 150 minutes of occupation.

After the departure of captain Elton Chigumbura who hit a quick fire 30 from just 19 balls, Prince Masvaure negotiated the innings with some patient batting hitting 10 boundaries and two maximums in his 90 before he was caught by Taurai Madhiri off Freedom Takarusenga. He faced 136 balls and his stand lasted 190 minutes.

Masvaure departure briefly gave Westerns renewed belief that they may actually win the match but the ninth wicket partnership of Garwe and Admire Manyumwa saw them home with Keith Kondo still to bat when victory came, thanks to some swashbuckling batting from Garwe.

Westerns had done enough to remove the top order in the twilight of the innings on the third day with Chris Mpofu removing the trio of Sam Mwakayeni (0), Cephas Zhuwawo (26) and Tatenda Taibu (19). And when they removed Chigumbura, Regis Chakabva (27), Graeme Cremer (36) and Ray Price (4), victory looked closer for the Dabengwa captained side.

But they had not reckoned Garwe will cross the bridge and deliver victory unbeaten. You could only feel for Westerns because they had done enough to win the match and losing matches in such draining fashion is too painful to fathom.

Westerns still winless face Centrals at Harare Sports Club in a match played purely for pride as none of the sides can dream of first or second placing. At least Centrals won against Westerns and forced a draw against Easterns in the second round at OH.
Legend
Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=679


Utseya destroys Centrals as Easterns complete victory

Centrals 1st innings 275 all out 90 overs (M.Waller 85, C.Chibhabha 80 T.Mahlunge 50, P.Utseya 4/54 S.Masakadza 2/49)

Centrals 2nd innings 169 all out in 46.2 overs (C.Chibhabha 82, T.Chisoro 32 P.Utseya 7/56, S.Masakadza 2/44 S.Mujaji 1/26)

Easterns 1st innings 453 all out in 133.1 overs (B.Mlambo 158, S.Matsikenyeri 85 H.Masakadza 51, F.Mutizwa 51, T.Kamungozi 5/130, C.Chibhabha 2/70)

PROSPER Utseya tore into Centrals batsmen taking a total of 11 wickets in a devastating double spell to hand Easterns an innings and 9 runs victory in the fifth round of the Logan Cup at Old Hararians Club on Thursday and maintained their stranglehold on the title with a match to play.

The Zimbabwe captain took seven wickets for 56 runs in 21 overs in which he made four maidens in Centrals second innings of 169 all out that handed Easterns their fourth victory of the series. So lethal was Utseya in his bowling that Centrals barely survived each time he had the ball. He took four in the first innings to signal his return to form in the series.

After hitting 453 in their first innings, Easterns who were bowled out never looked like they could earn an innings victory. Their total was built on the back of Benard Mlambo who hit a record 158 runs during which he batted for over 53 overs lasting 416 minutes. Mlambo occupation featured 17 boundaries and one maximum.

But Easterns victory was made possible by Utseya whose spin was both effective and frustrating. When he was not taking a wicket he was hitting a maiden. Such was his friendship with the ball that even Chamu Chibhabha who offered so much resistance failed to negotiate his probing.

After making a first victory score of 275, Centrals could only do 169 in the second innings thanks to Utseya spin that decimated them endlessly. Although Chibhabha offered some resistances making 80 in the first innings and 82 in the second, only Malcom Waller (85) and Tarisai Mahlunge (50) in the first innings contributed some meaningful runs to the side.

Yet Easterns strength is in the team work. Even when big guys like Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri fail to pile enough runs, others such as Foster Mutizwa and Mlambo can still hit the runs to see the side through.

Centrals, who on the last day needed Chibhabha to bat through the whole morning, could only add 21 runs to their overnight score of 148 for six with Chibhabha dropped twice by Utseya before he finally fell caught by Mutizwa off Utseya without adding any runs to his overnight score.

Easterns face bitter rivals Northerns in the last round of matches on Tuesday at OH to determine who wins the Logan Cup 2009. The first match went to Easterns at the Academy.
ZCF Hall of Famer
I was about to say that it could have been the lack of experience which saw Westerns get so close without finishing off the job, but with Williams, Coventry and Dabengwa in the team that's not really an excuse. Maybe with someone like Vermeulen who has over 12 years of First Class experience, they might have had the upper hand in such a tight situation, but who knows.

The sad thing is, every side has improved since last year - except Westerns.

Centrals have become a lot stronger (partly because of the Southerns merger, but still...) and have really punched above their weight. Malcolm Waller has been a revelation or what! Made his First Class debut in 2008, and a year later he is averaging almost 40. Obviously being exposed to the facilities that national team players make use of has helped his development a lot. He has been outstanding, and I hope he scores a century in the final match. He has well and truly deserved it.

Northerns probably have shown the least improvement of the sides, but there is still improvement none-the-less because of the emergence of Admire Manyumwa. Garwe has provided very little with the ball, but Manyumwa has been outstanding. Chakabva scored a good hundred and Masvaure made an important 90. So some good batting at times from people other than the usual suspects (Taylor, Chigumbura, Cremer, Price).

Easterns have struck gold with Forster Mutizwa, he's had a fantastic tournament. And they have an impressive young legspinner in Natsai Mushangwe. He's shown potential.

Something which hasn't been mentioned a lot has been Bradley Staddon's non-appearance. I think someone posted that he was in New Zealand (?) - losing him may have really hurt Westerns. He was averaging mid-30's - without making the big scores, he was consistently making 30 or 40. You can't help but feel Westerns are a side 30 or 40 runs shy of being competitive. Had they scored 260 & 370 against Northerns, they probably would have won.

Going into the final round, the all important match is Northerns vs Easterns. It is essentially a grand final. I'm not sure how the points table looks now, but I'm guessing that whoever wins that match will win the Logan Cup. The batting of each time is pretty evenly matched if you look at it player for player (Chigumbura vs Masakadza, Matsikenyeri vs Taibu, Chakabva vs Mutizwa), but in reality Easterns are a stronger on current form. The bowling is a different scenario, while Easterns have a wide spread of wicket takers (10 in total), Northerns have only a few (5 in total). I think Northerns have the stronger bowling unit.

So overall, the advantage Easterns have in batting is offset by Northerns advantage in the bowling department. The game will probably be won and lost by the performances of the lesser known players. A century by someone like Masvaure, or a 5-fer by Mushangwe... would probably swing the match in their teams favour. Can't wait for the match. I wonder if Northerns wouldn't be tempted to send Cremer or, in particular, Price up the order a bit. Taibu and Chigumbura have Test match experience, but so do these guys - and it just so happens that they happen to be more than useful with the bat. In the showdown of the year when every little thing helps, it might be an idea to try and expose Easterns lack of Test experience in the bowling department as much as possible as early as possible.

1. R Chakabva

2. T Taibu

3. E Chigumbura

4. R Price

5. G Cremer

6. S Mwayakeni

... etc

Might take Easterns by surprise.

This post is based on statistics released before the round 5 scorecards.
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer

brmtaylor.com admin wrote:Something which hasn't been mentioned a lot has been Bradley Staddon's non-appearance. I think someone posted that he was in New Zealand (?)


Yes indeed, he went to represent the Eden Roskill District Cricket Club: http://zimcricketforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 542&p=6282.

Westerns could have tasted some success if couple of players like him were around. Hopefully Vermeulen can play in the final match (any news on this?) and with Williams and Coventry striking form, Westerns should at least try and finish on a winning note, given that the match is against the Centrals.
Legend
Link: http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/inside.aspx ... 3406&cat=5


Westerns hope for better finish

By Mehluli Sibanda

AFTER losing five matches out of five, Westerns would be hoping to end the inter-provincial Logan Cup on a winning note when they take on Centrals in a match starting on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club.

Westerns have tremendously improved in their last two outings but have failed to record victory.

In their last match, the Tawanda Mupariwa captained Westerns had a perfect opportunity to obtain their first win when they took on Northerns.

Half centuries from Charles Coventry who made 76 runs and former captain Keith Dabengwa who scored 57 runs saw Westerns post 220 runs in their first innings.

Brilliant bowling by left arm spinner Dabengwa, fast bowlers Mupariwa and Christopher Mpofu ensured Northerns did not take a huge first innings lead as they only made 245 runs with none of their batsmen reaching the half century mark.

Westerns went on to make 332 runs in their second innings, thanks to centuries from Coventry and Williams.

That gave Northerns a victory target 308 runs to win the match and with their seamers in top form, Westerns had a good chance of recording their first win in the Logan Cup.

Mpofu gave Westerns some hope when he picked up three wickets to reduce Northerns to 60 for the loss of three at the close of day three.

Prince Masvaure and Trevor Garwe became the heroes for Northerns as they led the defending champions to what had looked an unlikely victory. Masvaure top-scored with 90 runs while Garwe, batting at number nine, scored an unbeaten 56 to secure a two wickets win for Northerns.

Westerns are facing the prospect of ending the Logan Cup without a victory, which was the case last season.

Should Coventry and Williams continue with their brilliant batting displays and if Mbekezeli Mabuza, Freedom Takarusenga, Taurai Madhiri and Tafadzwa Ngulube join the party and the bowlers Mpofu, Mupariwa and Dabengwa in top form, Westerns have a good chance of winning the match.

There woud be an exciting match, also starting on Tuesday, when Northerns clash with Easterns at Old Hararians.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket and Queens Sports Club celebrated Workers Day on Friday in style when they conducted a clean-up outside Queens Sports Club.

ZC senior management, players and Queens Sports Club members took part in the clean-up.

ZC area administrator for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Samu Nkiwane, ZC area manager for Bulawayo Joshua Paul, his assistant Julia Ndlovu, national selector Vumindaba Moyo, players Romeo Kasawaya, Khawulani Ntuli, Abraham Nare, Dumisani Mankunzini and coach Trevor Phiri participated in the clean-up. Lucky Mlilo and Lambert Sakone were the Queens Sports Club members who took part in the clean-up.

The Bulawayo City Council supported the initiative by availing a refuse collection truck to ferry the rubble.

Nkiwane, one of the organisers of the clean-up, said she was impressed by the turnout.

Farmer Ezra Ndlovu also supported the idea by donating meat while Schweppes availed refreshments
ZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
It is going down to the wire. Who said longer format of the game is boring? This Logan cup has been a rousing success for more reasons than one.
Legend

zimfan1 wrote:nice to see that taibu and Utseya are returning to form looks like taibu is going to fight all the way for the wicketkeeping spot alongside taylor and mutziwa

malcom waller once again shows that he is a class player as he is on the verge of scoring 6 half centuries in 11 innings which is very consist


My thought is that Taylor, Taibu and Mutizwa all three will play in the Zimbabwean final playing 11 for the next ODI match.

But as far as the wicket keeping is concerned, I think the role will be performed by Forster Mutizwa.

Taylor and Taibu will play as specialist batsmen since they are quality batsmen and they can play without any wicket keeping pressaure. Taibu is very lively in all over the places and I have seen Taylor fielding in the slips before and he can do it quite well.

So, Mutizwa can perform the wicket keeping role and his aggressive batting part will be productive in the middle/lower middle order batting. It will boost the batting strength of the side.
ZCF Hall of Famer
i cant see all three of them being in the side

i think if Taylor and Williams are available for selection the side will be

1. Hamilton Madakasdza

2. Brendon Taylor

3. S Matskinyeri

4. S Williams

5. T Taibu (WK)

6. Coventry/Chibahha/Waller/ Mutizwa

7. E Chigumbura

8. P Utseya

9. R Price

10. G Cremer

11. E Rainsford
ZCF Hall of Famer

zimfan1 wrote:i cant see all three of them being in the side

i think if Taylor and Williams are available for selection the side will be

1. Hamilton Madakasdza

2. Brendon Taylor

3. S Matskinyeri

4. S Williams

5. T Taibu (WK)

6. Coventry/Chibahha/Waller/ Mutizwa

7. E Chigumbura

8. P Utseya

9. R Price

10. G Cremer

11. E Rainsford


Tough isn't it, Mutizwa and Waller have been equally outstanding in the Logan Cup. I think Waller has about 40 more runs overall, but Mutizwa has scored a century. Probably Mutizwa would squeeze ahead at the moment because he did so well in Kenya, and is maybe a touch more agressive batsman? Either way, you don't want to leave either out. To be honest, I'd say take Matsikenyeri out, shift Williams and Taibu up one slot and have Waller at #5. Matsikenyeri is the dictionary definition of a flat track bully - he can score runs against any team worse than Ireland, but otherwise goes missing for years on end. Having said that, I think he would be a good Zimbabwe A captain at the moment. At least he has a lot of experience, which will be invaluable to younger players in the Zimbabwe A team. And if Matsikenyeri starts scoring runs against India A, South Africa A, Pakistan A, etc... then he can make a case for returning to the national team.
ZCF Hall of Famer
i think you have identified the two major problems that the selectors will face when selecting to squad for the next one day series (whenever that will be)

How do you leave Matskikenyeri out and how how do you fit Waller in

the main problem with Matskikenyeri is that he has scored runs in both the logan cup and the fiathware series and in order to show the first class players that they will be rewarded for good domestic performances he has to get in the side

The same question has to be asked of Chibbahba has he has scored plenty of runs and taken a few wickets so on form he should be in the side but how do we find a place for him

With Waller the problem is that he has showed his best form in the longer version of the game instead of the 50 over format, there would be o question that if we played a test match tomorrow that he would be in the side but can he adapt he patient game to the 50 over format, he probably can but i think it would take some time (about a year) but will the selectors give him time?

But saying all this i have my doubts that Taylor and Williams will be available for selection for the next series (In June against India or August against Bangladesh)
ZCF Hall of Famer

CrimsonAvenger wrote:It is going down to the wire. Who said longer format of the game is boring? This Logan cup has been a rousing success for more reasons than one.


Wow, who would have thought the entire Logan Cup would come down to final days play?

Northerns all out for 166 in the 3rd innings, Easterns on 6/62 in the 4th innings. Easterns need 90 runs to win with 4 wickets in hand. Masakadza on 33 not out... tense. I'm guessing they sent Tiripano is a nightwatchman, so Masakadza and Mutizwa should be batting tomorrow morning (or now, or whenever day 4 starts). Chasing 90, and assuming it is indeed Maskadza and Mutizwa, you'd probably still have your money on Easterns. But their tail isn't that strong. Mujaji and Mushangwe might not provide much resistance, although S Masakadza could probably stick around.

Incidentally, I think Utseya will end the series on 30 wickets. Price is currently on 29 I think, with the innings still incomplete. So that's one stat to keep an eye on as well. In the Centrals match, Waller made a second innings 34 so I'm guessing - unless there's a blitzkrieg by Mutizwa - he will finish comfortably as the leading run scorer.

From zimcricket.org:


Northerns and Easterns tie still too close to call

Northerns 2nd innings 166 all out in 47.4 overs (E.Chigumbura 38, S.Mwakayeni 33, P.Utseya 6/55, S.Masakadza 3/56)

Easterns 2nd innings 62 for 6 in 26 overs (H.Masakadza 33*, T.Maruma 17, G.Cremer 2/12, E.Chigumbura 1/16)

Stumps Day 3 of 4

BILLED the biggest match of the Logan Cup 2009 series, the Northerns versus Easterns match is living up to the punditry with very little separating the rivals even after Northerns seemed to have given it away with their second innings total of 166 all out in which Prosper Utseya took six wickets for 55 in his devastating spell.

Northerns made 213 in the first innings before Easterns bowlers removed them all for a total of 379 in the two innings. Easterns made 227 in reply in their first innings, a lead of just 14 runs and it seemed when Northerns collapsed all out for 166, Easterns could chase that with much easy.

But it was not to be as Cephas Zhuwawo and Trevor Garwe effected the most beautiful run out for Stuart Matsikenyeri for just one with the second ball of the over, thanks to a very fast Elton Chigumbura ball. The score was 1/1 and slowly the Utseya foundation looked threatened.

No sooner had Matsikenyeri made the long walk to the pavilion than Benard Mlambo, whose bad call resulted in the departure for Matsikenyeri, perished caught by Graeme Cremer off Chigumbura to trigger a mini crisis in the ranks.

With both openers out for nine runs, Hamilton Masakadza set on repairing the innings the same way he did in the first match at the Academy. When stumps came he was still on the crease with a patient 33 off 65 balls in which he hit four boundaries in 118 minutes.

The departure for Donald Tiripano, trapped leg before wicket by Cremer ended the innings on the third day with Masakadza set to continue the chase for victory. Easterns need 90 runs to win on Friday and have four wickets in hand.

And Northerns need the wickets to avoid a repeat of the first round in which they seemed in a very comfortable position before Masakadza batted two days to hand Easterns victory.

But Northerns bowlers are in no mood to let lightning strike again for them. And they are in the mood. Cremer has already claimed two with Chigumbura another and his ball the appetizer for the run out that ended Matsikenyeri shift in its infancy.

With Matsikenyeri (1), Timycen Maruma (17), Mlambo (5) and Tiripano (2) all removed, Easterns have their hope in Masakadza and should he depart early on the final day, they could kiss good bye thoughts of wrestling the cup from Northerns.
ZCF Hall of Famer
Northerns won toss elected to bat - 1st innings Northerns 213 for 10; Easterns 217 for 9

2nd innings Northerns - 166 for 10; Easterns 155/9 Match result: Easterns won by 1 wkt

Westerns won toss elected to field - 1st innings Centrals 299 for 10; Westerns 269 for 10

2nd innings Centrals 280 for 7; Westerns 44 for 3 - Match result: Draw
Legend
Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=688


Easterns are the Logan Cup 2009 champs

STEVEN Mangongo won the battle of coaches when his Easterns side beat bitter rivals Northerns by one wicket in this nerve wreaking encounter in the final match of the 2009 Logan Cup at Alexandra Sports Club on Thursday.

The closely fought match went the way of their first encounter at the Academy grounds when, then as now, Easterns were set a target to win the match and they got it with Shingi Masakadza the man to see them through. He was the same man who hit the winning boundary in the first encounter to settle the bragging rights battle.

Northerns who looked to be safe with their excellent bowling needed to finish the tail off but one bad ball ensured Easterns wrap up the series and take over from their rivals as the champs. The battle was won and so the war ended, albeit for a period as they turn to the Twenty20 to battle it out again, this time in Bulawayo.

After making a total 379 in the two innings, Northerns failed to set a big score for their rivals to chase with Easterns replying with a first innings total of 227 before finishing off with 155 for nine to win by one wicket.

But the Centrals versus Westerns dead rubber could not find the winner and the match ended as a draw as Centrals who seemed to have done enough for victory just failed to handle the Westerns pressure on the last day.

Neutrals will say it was a fair result.
Legend
Link: http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/co ... 04029.html


Logan Cup 2008-09

Utseya leads Easterns to Logan Cup win

Cricinfo staff

May 12, 2009

Easterns 227 (Mlambo 60, Maruma 52) and 155 for 9 (Cremer 4-57) beat Northerns 213 (Taibu 74, Utseya 4-38) and 166 (Utseya 6-55) by one wicket

Scorecard

Prosper Utseya's ten-wicket haul helped Easterns clinch a thrilling one-wicket victory in a low-scoring contest against Northerns at Alexandra Sports Club in Harare. The win helped Easterns secure the Logan Cup by finishing on 93 points, 16 clear of Northerns in second place. Chasing only 153 in the final innings, Easterns sneaked home with No 9 and No 11 adding the last 11 runs needed for victory.

Easterns never had any momentum during the final innings with batsmen falling at regular intervals. Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 45 while Utseya contributed 24 but the innings was in disarray at 97 for 6. Shingirai Masakadza, however, scored an unbeaten 23 to take his team over the line.

A larger target would have proved beyond Easterns and it was due to Utseya that they had to chase only 153. Northerns had made a steady start to their second innings, reaching 78 for 1 before Utseya began to run through the line-up. He took four middle-order wickets and returned to mop up the tail to finish with 6 for 55.

The low scores of both teams in the second innings continued the trend set in the first. Northerns were dismissed for only 213 after choosing to bat with Tatenda Taibu top-scoring with 74. Utseya's 4 for 38 played a crucial role in restricting the batsmen.

Easterns made a superb start in reply, with their openers adding 104 but they lost ten wickets for 123 runs. Bernard Mlambo and Timycen Maruma scored half-centuries and gave their team a slender lead. It wasn't much but it was vital in the closest of finishes.

Centrals 299 (Tichana 65, Waller 61, Nyumbu 3-85, Takarusenga 3-26) and 280 for 7 declared (Nyathi 100, Mahlunge 66*) drew with Westerns 269 (Ngulube 48, Chibhabha 3-74, Kamungozi 3-34) and 44 for 3 (Takarusenga 25, Kamungozi 2-17)

Scorecard

A century from Remembrance Nyathi and excellent support through Tarisai Mahlunge's 240-ball 66 helped Centrals recover from a precarious situation at 88 for 6, and earn a draw against Westerns in Harare. The game had been closely-fought in the first innings, with Centrals earning a 30-run lead after bowling out the opposition for 269. Chamu Chibhabha and Tafadzwa Kamungozi toojk three wickets each as none of the Westerns batsmen were able to score a half-century.

Centrals, however, came close to squandering the advantage as the Westerns bowlers rallied well around Tawanda Mupariwa to strike at frequent intervals and threaten to squeeze a win by bowling them out cheaply. However, they were met with some dogged resistance from the Centrals lower order as Nyathi and Mahlunge grafted 165 runs for the seventh wicket to take the game out of Westerns' reach. They declared with a score of 280, and scored a moral victory by knocking off three wickets in the Westerns innings in what eventually ended as a tame draw.

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