LOGAN CUP: Rocks, Tuskers evenly poised going into day four

Southern Rocks – 245 and 225 all out in 65.5 overs (Innocent Kaia 86, Brian Mudzinganyama 34, Travor Mutsamba 26*; John Nyumbu 3/41, Ernest Masuku 3/71, Ainsley Ndlovu 2/22)

Tuskers – 183 and 117-4 in 38 overs (Craig Ervine 42*, Tanu Makoni 20, Brian Chari 18*; Travor Mutsamba 2/16, Privilege Chesa 1/14, Tendai Chisoro 1/29)

Day 3 – Stumps: Tuskers need 171 runs

After three days’ play at Old Hararians Sports Club, Craig Ervine and Brian Chari are the key figures in Tuskers’ bid to chase down a target of 288 if they are to beat Southern Rocks on the final day.

At the close of play on Monday, they were in partnership and had 42 and 18 to their credit respectively, with the score 117 for four wickets.

At the start of the day Rocks, having gained a first-innings lead of 62 over Tuskers, had scored in their second innings 78 for one wicket, the overnight batters being Innocent Kaia with 60 and Brian Mudzinganyama with 11.

They took the score to 124 together before Mudzinganyama was bowled by Steve Chimhamhiwa for 34.

Kaia moved to 86 and was then out lbw by Ernest Masuku.

Cephas Zhuwao briefly threatened to dominate the bowling in his old style when he was out for 16 off 15 balls, to a return catch taken by Masuku.

At this point, Tuskers threatened to come back into the game, as the bowling of Masuku and John Nyumbu carved through the middle order, and the score, 146 for two at one stage, deteriorated to 160 for eight.

Just when a stand was needed, Travor Mutsamba (26 not out) and Nkosi Nungu (23) put on 47 runs together, and with the last man Privilege Chesa contributing a quick 12 runs, Rocks were doubtless relieved to finish with a final score of 225, which set Tuskers a difficult target of 288 to win.

Masuku finished with three wickets for 71 and Nyumbu three for 41, while Chimhamhiwa and Ainsley Ndlovu took two wickets each.

As Tuskers did their best to chip away at the target, they lost wickets steadily.

Tanu Makoni (20) and Nkosana Mpofu (13) were both out by the time 46 was on the board, followed by Milton Shumba (14) and Clive Madande (3), when the score was 89 for four wickets.

Chari now joined Ervine, and the pair played out time safely.

Tuskers’ chances of victory are not very great, but as long as either of these batters is still at the crease Rocks cannot feel safe.