LOGAN CUP: Bennett, Chari star with own double-centuries as run-fest continues

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Mega Market Mountaineers – 631-7 declared in 108 overs (Brian Bennett 264*, Tony Munyonga 237, Donald Tiripano 47; Hamza Sajjad 3/84, Alex Russell 2/208, Romario Roach 1/87)

Eagles – 263-6 in 58 overs (Matthew Welch 116, Tadiwanashe Marumani 91, Romario Roach 19*; Salman Mirza 2/42, Tony Munyonga 1/9, Victor Nyauchi 1/25)

Day 2 – Stumps: Eagles trail by 368 runs

Brian Bennett produced a batting masterclass on day two of the Logan Cup match between Mega Market Mountaineers and Eagles, scoring a magnificent unbeaten 264 to power his team to a mammoth 631 for seven declared.

This, remarkably, marked the second double-century of the Mountaineers innings, with Tony Munyonga having struck 237 on day one.

Bennett’s knock spanned over seven hours and included 33 fours and three sixes. He found able partners in Donald Tiripano (47) and Wellington Masakadza (68), but it was his dominant display that propelled the Mountaineers to a position of complete control.

Eagles’ chase got off to a disastrous start, losing their top three batsmen cheaply. However, Matthew Welch (116) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (91) staged a brilliant fightback, adding 157 runs for the fourth wicket. Marumani, in particular, impressed with his aggressive counter-attacking innings.

Despite their efforts, Eagles still need to get 482 runs to avoid the follow-on, with only four wickets remaining. With their main batsmen gone, the task looks daunting, but they will take heart from the battling knocks of Welch and Marumani.

This match is already shaping up to be a memorable one, thanks to Bennett’s monumental innings and the see-sawing fortunes in the Eagles’ reply. Day three promises to be an exciting one, with Eagles needing a near-miracle to avoid defeat.

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Tuskers – 591 all out in 141.2 overs (Brian Chari 213, Nkosana Mpofu 162, Ernest Masuku 67; Tafara Chingwara 3/76, Prince Masvaure 3/138, Victor Chirwa 2/150)

Rhinos – 120-8 in 28 overs (Carl Mumba 29*, Ben Curran 27, Bright Matsiwe 19; Ernest Masuku 5/40, Mgcini Dube 2/42, Ainsley Ndlovu 1/20)

Day 2 – Stumps: Rhinos trail by 471 runs

Brian Chari feasted on the Rhinos bowling attack, smashing a career-best 213 to propel Tuskers to a commanding 591 against Rhinos at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Chari’s marathon knock, coupled with crucial contributions from Nkosana Mpofu (162) and Ernest Masuku (67*), put Tuskers in a dominant position. In reply, Rhinos were left in tatters as Masuku turned destroyer in chief with a fiery spell, claiming five wickets for just 40 runs.

Chari and Mpofu put on a batting exhibition, stitching together a mammoth 306-run stand for the third wicket. Ali Hamid provided valuable support with a 43, while Ainsley Ndlovu and Masuku added quick runs late in the innings to push the total past 550. Tafara Chingwara and Prince Masvaure picked up three wickets apiece for Rhinos, but the damage was already done.

Chasing a colossal target, Rhinos’ hopes were quickly dashed. Ben Curran and Bright Matsiwe offered a glimmer of hope with a 33-run opening stand, but Masuku intervened, dismissing Curran and triggering a batting collapse. The Rhinos middle order was ripped apart, with only Antum Naqvi’s 14 providing any resistance. Masuku ran through the lower order, claiming five scalps to leave Rhinos reeling at 149-8.

Carl Mumba’s unbeaten 29 and Muhammad Adil’s 8 offer a faint hope, but the visitors require a near-miracle 342 runs on day three to avoid a follow-on.

With a massive first-innings deficit and Masuku on fire, Rhinos face an uphill battle to salvage anything from this match. The onus is on them to produce something truly special on day three if they are to avoid a heavy defeat.