Northerns thrash Southerns by an innings

Southerns – 144 and 230 all out in 73.5 overs (Brian Mudzinganyama 65, Sikandar Raza 59, Brad Evans 29; Ainsley Ndlovu 3/40, Travor Mutsamba 3/49, Wessly Madhevere 2/67)

Northerns – 476-8 declared in 199.5 overs (Remembrance Nyathi 115, Donald Tiripano 100*, Timycen Maruma 98; Sikandar Raza 3/129, Tapiwa Mufudza 2/66, Tony Munyonga 1/31)

Northerns won by an innings and 102 runs

In spite of some rousing strokes at times from Brian Mudzinganyama and Sikandar Raza, who both scored fifties, Southerns went down to Northerns by an innings and 102 runs on the fourth day of their five-day regional match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

The day began with Southerns in their second innings on 12 without loss, still 320 runs adrift of Northerns – their opening batters Mudzinganyama and Tanu Makoni were on seven and zero respectively.

They soon lost the wicket of Makoni, who was bowled by Steve Chimhamhiwa for seven with the score on 23.

Tafadzwa Tsiga came in next and immediately began to play his strokes, while Mudzinganyama played a more defensive game.

Travor Mutsamba then struck with two wickets in an over, as he had Tsiga (21) caught at the wicket by Clive Madande and then bowled Roy Kaia third ball, both with the score on 57.

Raza was in belligerent mood as he came in just before lunch and hit five fours, being 20 not out at lunch when the score was 99 for three, at which point Mudzinganyama had 39.

After the interval another four from Raza, a savage pull off Chimhamhiwa, brought up the hundred.

Mudzinganyama began to open up more now, and reached his fifty off 120 balls.

He made 65 before he took a step to aim a big drive at a ball from Wessly Madhevere, but the delivery was well wide of the off stump and spinning wider.

Mudzinganyama missed but Madande picked it up and brilliantly swept the stumps down in one motion to dismiss him – 142 for four wickets.

Tony Munyonga was settling in with Raza when there was a sudden sharp shower of rain, which drove the players off the field.

It was decided to take tea then with the score 166 for four wickets (Raza 45 and Munyonga 14), and they were soon back on the field again.

Raza took his score to 59, scored off 106 balls, when he tried to hit Ainsley Ndlovu for six, but skyed the ball on the off side to be caught, with the score 190 for five.

With only four runs added, Munyonga joined him in the pavilion, bowled by Mutsamba for 28, and Tapiwa Mufudza lofted a leg-side catch off Ndlovu with only four to his credit.

The score was 199 for seven now, with Kudzai Maunze injured and little batting to come.

Brad Evans settled in and began to go on the attack, while Charlton Tshuma scored one before being caught by Donald Tiripano at second slip off Ndlovu at 210 for eight.

Evans continued to play responsible attacking strokes when he had the opportunity, and took his score to 29 off 49 balls, but he then tried to turn a straight ball from Madhevere to the leg side and was out lbw.

Tafara Chingwara was not out with two and, with Maunze unable to bat, the match was over.

There were three wickets each to Ndlovu and Mutsamba and two to Madhevere.

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