Curran century, Eagles toil highlight Logan Cup 2024/25 opening day

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Tuskers 1st Innings 203 all out in 45.2 overs (Tanunurwa Makoni 82, Tafara Mupariwa 38; Brandon Mavuta 3-54, Michael Chinouya 3-32, Antum Naqvi 2-24)

Rhinos 1st Innings 183/3 in 42 overs (Ben Curran 107*, Takudzwanaishe Kaitano 52; Ainsley Ndlovu 2-43)

Day 1 Stumps: Rhinos trail by 20 runs

The Logan Cup 2024-25 season got off to a thrilling start at Kwekwe Sports Club, where Rhinos took control against Tuskers on the opening day.

Rhinos, after winning the toss and electing to field, made quick inroads into the Tuskers’ batting lineup, dismissing them for 203 in just under 46 overs. In reply, Rhinos ended the day at 183/3, just 20 runs behind with Ben Curran’s century anchoring their chase.

Opener Tanunurwa Makoni provided Tuskers with a strong start, crafting a resilient 82 off 110 balls, which included 12 boundaries. He was so aggressive at the top that he got to his half-century off just 45 balls.

Despite Makoni’s determination, Tuskers could barely string partnerships together as the Rhinos bowlers dismantled their middle and lower order.

Captain Tafara Mupariwa’s 38 off 52 balls briefly held the innings together, but his dismissal at 110 triggered a collapse, with wickets tumbling with stunning regularity.

On the bowling front Brandon Mavuta, back from his exploits for Zimbabwe in Kenya, delivered a brilliant spell of 3/54 from 15.2 overs. It was pivotal in restricting Tuskers to a below-par total, while Michael Chinouya’s pace yielded 3/32 in his 8 overs. Spinner Antum Naqvi added pressure from the other end, collecting 2/24. By the end of Tuskers’ innings, Rhinos had done well to limit them to a modest 203.

In response, Rhinos displayed composure with the bat, spearheaded by skipper Takudzwanaishe Kaitano’s solid 52 off 83 balls. His opening stand with Ben Curran set the foundation. Curran went on to notch up an unbeaten 107 off 136 balls, showcasing class and control.

Curran’s knock, laced with 15 fours and a six, stabilised Rhinos’ innings after Kaitano fell to Sean Williams.

While Ainsley Ndlovu’s 2/43 gave Tuskers a brief glimmer of hope, Curran’s mastery at the crease ensured Rhinos ended Day one in a strong position, just 20 runs shy of Tuskers’ first innings total with seven wickets in hand.

Southern Rocks 1st Innings: 354/5 in 84.2 overs (Roy Kaia 64, Saif Zaib 60*, Matthew Campbell 63; Wallace Mubayiwa 2-55, Faraz Akram 1-50)

Eagles: Yet to bat

Southern Rocks put on an impressive display against Eagles, reaching 354/5 at stumps on Day One at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Rocks’ batsmen laid a solid foundation with consistent partnerships throughout the innings, keeping Eagles’ bowlers on the back foot.

Opening batsmen Tafadzwa Tsiga and debutant Matthew Campbell set the tone with a 89-run partnership. Tsiga crafted a composed 50 off 89 balls, featuring five boundaries, before falling leg before to Faraz Akram.

Campbell then continued to anchor the innings with 63 runs off 108 deliveries, even as the middle order capitalised on his solid start, before he fell caught and bowled to Wallace Mubaiwa.

Johnathan Campbell and Roy Kaia then took over, putting on 67 runs. The latter had an aggressive 64 off just 89 balls, striking 10 fours and a six before being caught off Alex Russell.

Rocks’ captain Richmond Mutumbami contributed a quick 15, and despite his departure at 236, the Rocks kept building with steady contributions from Saif Zaib and Alvin Chiradza. Zaib’s unbeaten 60 off 66 and Chiradza’s solid 56 off 87 balls helped them reach a commanding 354/5 by stumps.

With rain interruptions and bad light, the match lost some overs.