Pro50: Mountaineers complete double over Rhinos

Mountaineers – 293-9 in 50 overs (Tony Munyonga 95, Donald Tiripano 77, Wellington Masakadza 36; Carl Mumba 3/32, Davis Murwendo 2/45, Kudakwashe Macheka 2/51)

Rhinos – 177 all out in 38.1 overs (Tashinga Musekiwa 73*, Kudakwashe Macheka 30, Johnathan Campbell 23; Tendai Chatara 4/43, Tony Munyonga 3/23, Shingi Masakadza 1/18)

Mountaineers won by 116 runs

Tony Munyonga and Donald Tiripano turned the tables on a largely dismal Rhinos side at Mutare Sports Club on Friday as they rescued their team from a bad start and turned it into another big victory for Mountaineers by 116 runs.

Mountaineers, who were put in to bat, made a disastrous start to their innings as Carl Mumba tore open their top-order batting.

On 13 Mumba had Kevin Kasuza caught by Johnathan Campbell for three, and followed it by dismissing Ben Compton to a catch by Kuda Macheka for nine.

Macheka then had PJ Moor caught by Brandon Mavuta for nine before Mumba bowled out Timycen Maruma for four.

Thus the top four Mountaineers batsmen, who had given the Rhinos bowlers such a hammering on Wednesday, were all gone with only 32 runs on the board.

But the recovery was magnificent, led by Munyonga, who so often is at his best in a crisis.

He was joined by Tiripano and the two of them turned the innings right around with a superb fifth-wicket partnership of 150 in 24 overs.

Munyonga well deserved a century, but was unfortunately caught off Macheka for 95, scored off only 87 balls with four sixes and seven fours.

On his departure Tiripano took up the role of aggressor and took the score to 240 before he was caught off Davis Murwendo for 77, scored off 77 balls with three sixes and six fours.

Wellington Masakadza gave him good support, scoring 36 himself.

Even the last pair of John Masara (10 not out) and Tinashe Muchawaya (14 not out) made a useful unbroken 23 for the last wicket in less than four overs.

The final total was 293 for nine wickets, a difficult target for Rhinos to chase.

Mumba’s final bowling figures were three for 32 in his 10 overs, while Macheka and Murwendo both took two wickets.

Rhinos were soon deep in trouble, as in his first two overs Tendai Chatara ripped out their two opening batsmen, both lbw — Bright Matsiwe to the first ball he faced and Takudzwanashe Kaitano for five; 15 for two.

The story of woe continued, as Shingi Masakadza chipped in by having Ryan Burl caught for four, while Chatara took a third in Prince Masvaure, caught for six, to make the score 20 for four within five overs.

There was a brief rally, as Neville Madziva scored 17 in partnership with Johnathan Campbell, before being caught by Maruma off Wellington Masakadza for 17; 55 for five after 12 overs.

Musekiwa then joined Campbell, who scored 23 before being caught by Kasuza off Munyonga; 73 for six.

Perhaps the only hope for Rhinos now would be a thunderous innings from Mumba, but he was run out by Moor off the first ball he faced, and it was as good as game over for the visitors.

Musekiwa was not going to go down without a fight, though, and he put up a fine performance, especially when the last man Macheka joined him at 100 for nine wickets.

He moved to his fifty off 55 balls, and Macheka joined in, no doubt surprising the Mountaineers bowlers with the fighting spirit of their resistance.

The best partnership of the innings before now had been 35, but this gallant pair put on 77 together in 15 overs before finally Macheka was caught by Moor off Munyonga for 30 to end the match, Musekiwa being not out with 73 off 72 balls, with 2 sixes and 7 fours.

The total was 177.

Chatara with four for 43 was the best bowler, well backed up by Munyonga who had three for 23 to add to his magnificent innings.

2021/22 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE