Tuskers, Rhinos match inevitably peters out to a draw

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Rhinos – 245-8 declared and 133-1 in 44 overs (Prince Masvaure 54*, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 40, Charles Kunje 27*; Luke Jongwe 1/18)

Tuskers – 333 all out in 85.1 overs (Milton Shumba 79, PJ Moor 59, Luke Jongwe 53; Ryan Burl 3/50, Charles Kunje 2/22, Tafara Chingwara 2/55)

Match drawn

Good innings by Milton Shumba for Tuskers and Prince Masvaure for Rhinos were the highlights of the final day’s play of the drawn Logan Cup match at Old Hararians Sports Club.

After rain had ravaged the first two days of this match, a draw was almost inevitable.

Tuskers began the final day on 205 for five, needing another 41 runs to take the first-innings lead.

This was done very capably by Shumba and Luke Jongwe, who shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 94, taking the score to 286 before Jongwe, the more aggressive of the two, was caught at the wicket for 53 off the bowling of Ryan Burl.

The tail did very little as it collapsed around Shumba, although the last man, Sheunopa Musekwa, hit out to score 11 not-out off nine balls.

Shumba, trying to push the score along and progress towards a possible maiden century for himself, was the last man out for a very creditable innings of 79, with the total at 333.

Burl was given a good bowl, 15 overs, and took three wickets for 50 runs, the best bowling return.

Tafara Chingwara, Brandon Mavuta and Charles Kunje all took two wickets each.

This left Rhinos 88 behind on the first innings and nothing to play for but a draw.

This they did very capably, with Masvaure and Takudzwanashe Kaitano clearing off the arrears with a first-wicket partnership of 91, before Kaitano was given out lbw to Jongwe for 40.

Masvaure, more positive than in the first innings, played a steady game to finish unbeaten with 54, scored off 128 balls.

In with him was Kunje, 27 not out.

At the end Rhinos were 45 runs ahead with one wicket down, and neither side could claim any advantage.

The next round of Logan Cup matches begins next Tuesday, 15 December, when Southern Rocks will make their return to first-class cricket at Harare Sports Club against Tuskers, while Eagles play Rhinos at Old Hararians.

Mountaineers have a bye.