LOGAN CUP: Mutumbami’s fine century puts Rocks in driver’s seat

Southern Rocks – 310-6 in 84 overs (Richmond Mutumbami 144*, Roy Kaia 76*, Sikandar Raza 43; Ernest Masuku 4/64, Luke Jongwe 1/45, Charlton Tshuma 1/56)

Tuskers –

Day 1 – Stumps

Richmond Mutumbami found his best batting form for Southern Rocks against Tuskers in their Logan Cup match at Takashinga Sports Club on Thursday, hitting his fifth first-class career century.

Rocks were put in to bat and lost their first three wickets quickly, only to recover under the influence of Mutumbami, partnered first by Sikandar Raza and then by Roy Kaia.

At the close they had reached the fine score of 310 for six wickets, with the partnership between Mutumbami and Kaia having put on 182 runs for the seventh wicket without being broken.

Brian Mudzinganyama and Tafadzwa Tsiga opened the batting for Rocks, but put 15 runs on the board before Charlton Tshuma trapped Tsiga lbw for five.

Tadiwanashe Marumani scored nine before being caught off Ernest Masuku, and immediately afterwards Mudzinganyama fell to Luke Jongwe for 20, reducing Rocks to 38 for three wickets.

Then with the score at 50, Kaia was forced to retire hurt, which brought in Mutumbami to join Raza.

The pair responded to the difficult situation with some positive batting, Raza playing a fine innings of 43 off 70 balls before being caught off Masuku – the partnership had added 74 together and the score was 124 for four.

However, Masuku was in the middle of a golden spell, and he quickly followed by bowling Cephas Zhuwao and then dismissing William Mashinge first ball, leaving Rocks in sudden trouble at 128 for six wickets.

At this point Kaia returned, and stayed in with Mutumbami, who batted with increasing confidence.

The score mounted steadily and the Tuskers bowlers were unable to break through again.

Mutumbami reached his century off 138 balls and was still good for more, while Kaia played an excellent supporting role.

Both were still there at the close, 310 for six wickets, with Kaia on 76 and Mutumbami now on 144, within easy reach of his highest first-class score of 150.

Masuku was the most successful bowler as he finished the day with four wickets for 64 runs, while Jongwe and Tshuma claimed one wicket apiece.

ZC media release