#LOGANCUP RESULT: Chisoro stars as Rhinos gore Rangers

Rhinos – 144 and 320 all out in 103.2 overs (Tendai Chisoro 112, Nyasha Mayavo 54, Prince Masvaure 48; Clive Chitumba 3/53, Brian Mudzinganyama 3/59, Dylan Hondo 1/19)

Rangers – 248 and 94 all out in 44.2 overs (Brian Mudzinganyama 22, Clive Chitumba 15, Dylan Hondo 11; Tendai Chisoro 7/30, Tafara Chingwara 3/13)

Rhinos won by 122 runs

Rhinos recorded their first Logan Cup victory this season, as Tendai Chisoro took seven wickets for only 30 runs with his left-arm spin to bowl Rangers out for 94 in their second innings and win his side a match they had looked like losing by 122 runs at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

The final day’s play began with Rangers facing almost certain defeat in their second innings at 66 for six wickets, needing to score 217 runs to win.

The overnight batsmen were Clive Chitumba, with 15, and Charlton Tshuma, yet to score.

Chitumba, the one remaining batsman of any credentials, lasted two balls, as he cut a delivery from Chisoro straight into the hands of second slip with the total still on 66.

The new man, Dylan Hondo, began rather better, hitting the second ball he faced through the covers for two.

Tshuma and Hondo for a while just contented themselves with keeping the Rhinos bowlers out and their wickets intact, and eight runs were scored in the first half-hour of play.

The partnership lasted almost an hour before Chisoro finally got through Hondo’s defences and bowled him for 11, with the score now 80 for eight wickets; Tshuma, after an hour at the crease, had scored a single off 52 balls.

Davis Murwendo was of quite the opposite persuasion, and slogged his second and third balls, from Chisoro, for fours.

The end came quickly. Murwendo drove a catch off Chisoro and was out for nine, and next ball the last man, Kudakwashe Macheka, was beaten and bowled, to give Chisoro his seven wickets.

The total was 94, and so Rhinos won by 122 runs.

Tshuma finished unbeaten with six not out off 64 balls, while Tafara Chingwara finished with figures of three wickets for 13 runs off 12 overs.

It was a great turnaround for Rhinos to win by such a margin after falling 104 runs behind on the first innings, and for that they have to thank the brilliant play of Chisoro.

This defeat may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Rangers, as in both their matches now they will have learned strong lessons in starting a match well, but losing their advantage and having it prised from their grasp.

The wisdom and encouragement of their experienced coach Gary Brent will no doubt be a solace for them in their disappointment, and help to make them more resilient players over the long haul in their cricketing futures.