Tuskers spin too much for Rhinos

Tuskers duo Ainsley Ndlovu and Sean Williams combined to take seven wickets in a 50-run victory over Rhinos at Harare Sports Club in a Pro50 Championship match on Wednesday.

Rhinos, having won the toss earlier, started with their tails up, Carl Mumba removing Brian Chari first ball and Cunning Ncube two balls later.

Williams and Craig Ervine combined for a 35-run partnership but the former became Mumba’s third victim.

Ervine’s partnership with Nkosana Mpofu lasted only 31 runs before the latter for 14 caught behind off Neville Madziva. Two balls later, Milton Shumba had a forgettable List A debut as he chipped one directly to Peter Moor at mid-on.

Ervine was looking good, his 40 coming off 50 on a difficult pitch before he was trapped leg before by Tendai Chisoro.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Luke Jungwe had been carefully curating an innings. He was gone for 50 though, the fourth time he had reached a half-century in List A cricket.

Not much else was added after that and Tuskers were dismissed for 161 after 41.2 overs.

The bowling figures returned were Mumba 4/47, Madziva 2/14, Brandon Mavuta 2/15, Chisoro 2/27.

Rhinos would have fancied their chances, despite the slow outfield, especially with the big-hitting Cephas Zhuwao in the team. He didn’t last long, gone for an uncharacteristic 0 off 6 balls, caught behind off Ernest Masuku.

Masuku then took the wicket of Tarisai Musakanda for 7.

Soon after, there was a rain break, which didn’t last long.

Moor was the new batsman in. He was caught and bowled by Ndlovu for 4.

Bar, when Chris Mpofu got Chisoro to nick one to Ncube with the gloves, all the wickets went with spin.

There was a bit of a rearguard action, with Madziva getting 25, the last three wickets putting 45 on the board, but the left-arm spinners did Rhinos in.

Rhinos were bowled out for 112 in 30.1 overs.

Ndlovu took 4/36, Williams 3/23 and Masuku 2/20.

In essence, it was a pitch that was difficult to play and a slow outfield that was slow meaning quite a few balls did not make it to the boundary.