Please follow and like us:

By Perkins-Tino Bare.

Harare. (News Of The South) – The Zimbabwe National Cricket team the Chevrons got off to a winning start as they thumped New Zealand by 7 wickets in their opening ODI encounter played at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The Chevrons won the toss and opted to field and the presence of Tinashe Panyangara was evident in the team as they were more effective.

New Zealand was well on the topes as the Chevrons had managed to maintain a rather low run rate but they were then hit for 112 in the last 10 overs bringing New Zealand`s total to 303 when it was well projected to be just over 250.

The Chevrons opened up their chase with Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha at the crease with the two starting off strongly. Chamu Chibhabha continued with his fine form with the bat as Hamilton Masakadza shrugged off a poor run of form and stagger his way back putting the Chevrons in a strong position for in the chase.

The two lay a solid footing for the chase as they posted an opening partnership of 87 before Chamu fell off the bowling of Brendan McCullum. Masakadza later fell short of reaching his century to mark his possible return to form as he was the second wicket to fall leaving the Chevrons at 194 with 15 overs to spare.

Craig Ervine came in at 3rd and he was the game changer as he sealed off a famous win with his maiden century which came off just 108 balls. He was enjoying his time at the crease as he struck 5 sixes and 11 fours on his way to sealing off the win.

He received support from the skipper Elton Chigumbura who also had a valuable knock of 36. The chase was solid as despite the two wickets they remained steadfast in their chase particularly Craig Ervine who wrapped up the match with six balls to spare.

Kane Williamson was rather stunned with the loss as he was not expecting it, “I thought 303 was enough,” said Williamson in a post-match interview, “It wasn`t easy up front and and I thought it was a good effort (I bet it was) they outplayed us in all areas though, full credit to them”. “We weren`t at our best either. It isn`t a train wreck and we weren`t far off, maybe struggled a bit with the ball” he added.

The win comes in handy for the Chevrons as they get a chance to wrap-up the series on Tuesday when they play their second ODI. The win is also vital in that the Chevrons have a knick of carrying on a series with the momentum they would have started with.

It’s usually more of the same from the Chevrons and this series started off with a win and it can only get better for the Chevrons who look set to gain some valuable points. The win is ensured that Cricket fans are indeed in for a treat as Harare Sports Club was sent into a frenzy after a win which was not famous in as much as it was expected. Deep down the fans always knew that the Chevrons have the pedigree to pull it off but what was not clear was what it was going to take for these boys to eventually cross that thin line which saw us losing by small margins and having them big sides on the ropes only to let them slip away into backwoods.

Williams later came in when the job had already been done and he also chipped in with a knock of 7 runs from 9 balls and the Chevrons sealing off the victory over the Black Caps. Next match is on Tuesday at the same venue when the Chevrons look to wrap up the series.

Feedback @perkinstinobare.blogspot.com

Please follow and like us:

Comments

comments