In-form players keep up impressive show in Logan Cup

In-form players keep up impressive show in Logan Cup

• Batsman dominate on Day 1 of Logan Cup

• South Africa to join India in Zimbabwe series

• Streak: Western cricket nations must change attitude over Zim

• Canada cancels Zimbabwe tour over health concerns

• Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka postpone tour

• New Zealand delay Zimbabwe tour by a year

• Taibu 'has difficulties working with other players' - ZC

• Vermeulen makes shock return to cricket

• Coltart plea as NZ Prime Minister threatens to call off tour

• Bvute: In the fullness of time, we'll be vindicated

• Sibanda has no takers in IPL auction

• Zimbabwe complete ODI series whitewash over Kenya

• Rampant Zimbabwe pile up record ODI total

• Zimbabwe beat Kenya by 109 runs in first ODI

• Bangladesh wins series over Zimbabwe

Posted to the web: 01/04/2009 22:24:16
Westerns – 158 all out:

(M.Vermeulen 44, T.Ngulube 33, T.Mupariwa 24*; A.Manyumwa 5/15, R.Price 2/43, G.Cremer 2/51)

Northerns – 300 and 12 for 2:

(D. Mazhawidza 6*, T. Garwe 4*; C. Mpofu 1/5, T. Mupariwa 1/7)

Day 2 of 4-day match.

AFTER bad light and weather forced the close of the innings 28 minutes early on Tuesday with Westerns trying to reply to Northerns’ 300 all out, the Keith Dabengwa-captained side collapsed all out for 158, still 142 runs behind at Alexandra Sports Club on Wednesday, to hand Northerns the initiative again.

Only batsman Mark Vermeulen offered some resistance with his laboured 44 off 97 balls as rising Zimbabwe A and Northerns key bowler, Admire Manyumwa tore into the batsmen taking five wickets for just 15 runs in 18.2 overs.

The Westerns top order was decimated for just 106 runs in 52.2 overs as Manyumwa in uncompromising mood removed one batsmen after the other forcing the opponents back into action despite resuming late due to the moist wicket.

Although Tafadzwa Ngulube offered some resistance in his 33 off 74 balls spanning 89 minutes, the damage had been done. But Manyumwa then trapped him leg before wicket to end the resistance. Spinners Ray Price and Graeme Cremer took two wickets each as Westerns really struggled for runs.

To atone for their poor batting Westerns who thought they had done enough in restricting Northerns to a chase-able score, they quickly removed openers Sam Mwakayeni and Ishmael Senzere for just six runs as Dean Mazhawidza and Trevor Garwe were left unconquered at stumps with an advantage of 154 going into the third day of Thursday.

At Old Hararians, a valiant 85 from opener Bothwell Chapungu put Centrals in a good position to neutralise the Easterns first innings on the second day of their Logan Cup match.

After an almost a run-a-ball half century that included eight fours and one six, Chapungu proceeded with his good work with the bat but fell 15 runs shy of the big one when he was caught by Forster Mutizwa from the bowling of Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya.

His 85 was made in 138 minutes in the middle and came off 102 balls, 13 of them fours and one six.

The Zimbabwe A batsman’s contribution with the bat anchored the Centrals innings of 108 for two. Chapungu was also a team-man, building two partnerships of 50 first with fellow opener Alois Tichana (3) and then Chamunorwa Chibhabha (16*).

Earlier, Centrals dismissed Easterns, who won the toss on the first day on Tueday and opted to bat, for 255.

That total was built on a 60 by Forster Mutizwa, supported by 34 from opener Bernard Mlambo and 37 from number three Hamilton Masakadza. Number 10 Douglas Hondo also made a worthwhile effort of wagging the tail with his unbeaten 31that came off 36 balls, five of them fours.

For Centrals, Zimbabwe A spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi took three wickets for 58 runs in 27 overs, 11 of them maiden. Rainsford grabbed three for 35 in 11.4 and Brighton Mugochi two for 38 in 17 overs with seven maidens.
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