Men’s Domestic T20 Day 2: Mayavo maiden half-century leads Rhinos to victory

Southern Rocks – 129-8 in 20 overs (Roy Kaia 31*, Tadiwanashe Marumani 29, Richmond Mutumbami 14; Johnathan Campbell 2/24, Tashinga Musekiwa 1/7, Ryan Burl 1/18)

Rhinos – 131-5 in 18 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 50, Tashinga Musekiwa 28*, Neville Madziva 21*; Dylan Hondo 1/19, Cuthbert Musoko 1/22, Nkosilathi Nungu 1/24)

Rhinos won by five wickets

A dashing fifty from Nyasha Mayavo laid the foundation for a good five-wicket victory for Rhinos over Southern Rocks in their Domestic T20 Competition match at Harare Sports Club on Friday, when their top order was in danger of faltering.

In contrast to Tuskers at Old Hararians, Rocks, put in to bat, looked at one stage like making a big score, but ultimately disappointed.

Cephas Zhuwao began his innings in typical fashion, smashing a six off Johnathan Campbell in the opening over, but off the final delivery was out lbw for eight.

Tadiwanashe Marumani also began in fine aggressive fashion, and the score was 37 before Innocent Kaia, playing a supporting role, was out for seven in the fifth over.

Marumani made 29 before he was caught off Brandon Mavuta, having hit five fours, while Richmond Mutumbami scored 14 off 13 balls.

At 71 for four in the 10th over, Rhinos were well placed for a big score, but the later batting never developed.

Roy Kaia did his job well, working the ball around the field skilfully to make 31 not out when the innings closed, but Brian Mudzinganyama took 18 balls to score nine, which was a serious drag on the scoring at this stage of the innings.

Tafadzwa Tsiga scored 10 off 10 balls, but the later batters did little, and the final score of 129 for eight was disappointing.

Campbell took two wickets, while Ryan Burl, with one for 18 off four overs, was the most economical bowler.

Rhinos began their challenge briskly, but lost their openers early, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano out for four and Prince Masvaure for 13.

Tarisai Musakanda was out for four, and Rhinos would have been in considerable trouble without Mayavo, who struck the ball superbly.

Mayavo went on to score 50 off only 33 balls, with five fours, while the other four top batters scored 25 between them – the score was 92 for five in the 14th over when he left, caught at the wicket off Roy Kaia.

However, Neville Madziva and Tashinga Musekiwa were the men for the job, and from that point onwards Rhinos sailed to victory with ease, as they put on 39 together for the sixth wicket unbroken, in just 4.2 overs.

Madziva scored 21 off 23 balls, but it was the less experienced Musekiwa who did most of the work, scoring 28 off only 15 balls, with two sixes and two fours.

Rhinos won the match with two full overs to spare.

All five bowlers used took a wicket each, with Dylan Hondo the most economical of them as his four overs cost only 19 runs.

2021/22 DOMESTIC T20 COMPETITION POINTS TABLE

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