By Perkins-Tino Bare.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Mashonaland Eagles beat the table topping Matabeleland Tuskers by 8 wickets in their pro50 match at the Harare Sports Club as the domestic league returns for a glimpse before the players leave for the World Cup on January 31.
The Tuskers won the toss and they selected to bat first sending in their openers Brian Chari and Nkosana Mpofu to set up the pace against their rivals in what has slowly developed into the biggest rivalry in domestic cricket. With the Tuskers full of confidence they looked set to give the Eagles a copping right in their backyard. Tuskers had to deal with an early setback as the Mashonaland Eagles struck early, Brian Chari departing for just 6 after 5 overs. Next in for the Tuskers was Craig Ervine who, together with Nkosana Mpofu looked solid from the onset.
Tuskers were soon to get to their half century with a run rate of 4.75. The two looked threatening on the crease but it was just nothing but the puffs of a wolf as Nkosana Mpofu soon departed for an important 24 runs leaving the Tuskers at 66/2. Sean Williams made his way to the crease were he did not stay for long as he soon sallied out for a mire 13 runs leaving the Tuskers at 86/3 after 20 overs and in need of a decent partnership if they were in any way going to set a defendable target. Craig Ervine continued with his knock as he marched on to his half century. With his men on 106/3 after 25 overs, the Tuskers looked set for target well beyond the 230 mark as Craig Ervine seemed to be gaining momentum with every ball.
But Craig had to wait for a frustrating 5 overs as he was well conscious of the value of his wicket and the implications losing it would have had on the match result calling for a cautious approach. Soon it was the crowd which was up on their feet for Craig Ervine as he celebrated his half century. That did not deter the eagles from picking up the wickets as Mutumbami hit a false drive straight into the hands of T Garwe. Craig Ervine continued with his brilliant day in office as he defended his inclusion in the World Cup squad. Sitting on an unbeaten 77 the Tuskers were soon on 163/4 with 11 overs remaining in the match.
In for the Tuskers was their skipper Godwill Mamhiyo who was soon bowled out for a low score of 13 with Jongwe coming in at 7 the Tuskers looked in trouble as a decent score was becoming farfetched for them as the Eagles continued getting the crucial wickets forcing the Tuskers mainly Craig Ervine to adopt a defensive approach as they found themselves needing runs without the liberty of losing wickets in the process. With the Tuskers on 177/5 after 41 overs the Mashonaland Eagles were certain not to be frustrated by a late push by the tail-enders who could surely make a 230+ target wee-achievable. Soon the Tuskers were sitting on 210/7 as Tawanda Mupariwa walked out for a lame 3 runs.
It continued to be one man`s day as Craig Ervine 100 was up to a stand ovation from his teammates in the changing room. With the century done, Ervine now set his sights on entertaining the crowd by this soon backfired on him as he skied one effort departing for 103 and the Tuskers stuck on 210/8. Brian Vitori who looked set to force the late-run push was to depart for a sultry 9 leaving his mates reeling on 213 with just a wicket in hand. The Tuskers were eventually bowled out for 213 leaving the Eagles with a target of 214 to win the match with Sikander Raza`s bowling figures of 4/33.
Matebeleland Tuskers
With the pairing of Brian Vitori and Chris Mpofu determined to defend their score, the eagles went in bat after lunch with their heads held high as they had restricted the current best team in the pro50 league to a chase able total of just over 200.
Mashonaland Eagles was looking to the prowess of their new signing Brendan Taylor who looked set to make an impression on his outing. Mupariwa was to get an early breakthrough for the Tuskers as the Eagles found themselves on 72/1 in their chase requiring 142 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand. A great partnership between Sikander Raza and Chamu Chibhabha of 142 made the chase a fly in the park for the Eagles as were soon sitting on figures of 133/1 with Sikander Raza on 63 and Chamu Chibhabha sitting on 48. With Raza on absolute fire Chamu Chibhabha soon departed as he fell to the veteran Chris Mpofu with the Eagles on 175/2 after 37 overs needing only 39 runs to win from 13 overs.
With the match now in their hands to lose, Sikander Raza strengthened his contention for man of the match as he saluted the crowd reaching his 100 in style as the Eagles were surely humbling the table topping Tuskers. Mashonaland Eagles were soon on 210/2 after 41 overs and they wrapped up the match winning it by a magnificent 8 wickets with 50 balls remaining.
Next up for the Mashonaland Eagles is another home assignment against the Manicaland Mountaineers tomorrow with all the action taking place at the Harare Sports Club. With the world Cup selectees showing some good for at the crease notably Craig Ervine and Sikander Raza who was also good on the day with bowling figures of 4/33.
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