Newboy Madhevere stars with bat and ball in Eagles win

Wesley Madhevere paid the faith put in him by Eagles coach Stuart Matsikenyeri by taking four wickets and getting a half-century at the first time of asking with the willow as his side beat Rangers by 111 runs at Old Georgians Club in Harare.

The match was reduced to 36 overs due to a wet outfield following rain in Harare on Sunday night and Eagles batted first.

With Chamu Chibhabha out it was the same opening pair of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Regis Chakabva. Chakabva was the first to go on 12 caught and bowled by Manson Chikowero.

Kudzai Maunze didn’t stick around for long as he went for 4, Charlton Tshuma claiming the scalp.

On the other end, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe carried on with his form before Kudakwashe Macheka got him for a 34-ball 45. Macheka then also got Tony Munyonga out.

Then stepped up Madhevere, 19, with the legendary Elton Chigumbura at the crease. The 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup star sapped it all up and he got 57 off 55 balls before Macheka had him caught by Clive Chitumba.

Chigumbura on the end was not sticking around and fell to Chitumba for 70.

In the end, Eagles made 252/6.

Macheka ‘s return was 3-41.

Tanunurwa Makoni gave Rangers a terrible start, Tapiwa Mufudza getting him caught by Chakabva.

Mufudza then caught and bowled Brian Mudzinganyama for 15 before trapping Brendan Taylor leg before for 2.

Rangers’s innings meandered much and the highlight was another 19-year-old Marshal Takodza finishing unbeaten on 56.

But Madhevere cleaned up the last four wickets and three of them were a pair, a dot ball, and the final wicket.

Madhevere returned figures of 4 for 28 from his 6 overs. Mufudza was 3 for 37 from 8 overs. Daniel Jakiel bowled two overs and they were both maidens.