LOGAN CUP: Rhinos totter against Mountaineers

Rhinos – 184 and 44-3 in 16.4 overs (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 15, Ryan Burl 15, Charles Kunje 11*; Donald Tiripano 1/0, Victor Nyauchi 1/17, Tendai Chatara 1/19)

Mountaineers – 323 all out in 100 overs (Wellington Masakadza 84, Timycen Maruma 61, Kevin Kasuza 60; Mike Chinouya 3/49, Ryan Burl 3/96, Remembrance Nyathi 1/7)

Day 2 – Stumps: Rhinos trail by 95 runs

At Harare Sports Club, Wellington Masakadza achieved the best score of his career, 84, an innings which was instrumental in giving Mountaineers what at present appears to be a winning lead over Rhinos in the other Logan Cup match.

Overnight, Mountaineers were 112 for two wickets, with Kevin Kasuza on 55 and Timycen Maruma 41.

Kasuza did not last long, being bowled by Mike Chinouya for 60 to make the score 118 for three.

Chinouya soon bowled Clive Chitumba for three, but Donald Tiripano came in and played a solid and careful innings in support of Maruma.

Maruma made 61 before Ryan Burl caught him off the bowling of Remembrance Nyathi; 155 for five.

Shingi Masakadza scored only six, but his brother Wellington was in fine form with the bat, sharing a good partnership with Tiripano.

Tiripano’s solid innings ended for 43, caught off Brandon Mavuta, but Wellington went from strength to strength, while the tail-enders Victor Nyauchi (20) and Tendai Chatara (22 off 18 balls) played aggressive innings in support.

The last man, Vincent Masekesa, came in and defended solidly while Wellington continued to attack in fine style.

He went on to reach 84, his highest first-class innings, but was then unfortunately run out trying to keep the strike at the end of the 100th over.

His fine knock came off 116 balls and he hit a six and six fours.

The final Mountaineers score was 323, a lead of 139 on the first innings.

Chinouya was among the wickets again, as he took three for 49, while Burl took three for 96.

At the close, Rhinos were in deep trouble after a bad start to their second innings.

Prince Masvaure struggled for 16 balls and could not score before was finally caught and bowled by Chatara.

Takudzwanashe Kaitano scored 15 of the first 17 runs, but was then caught off Nyauchi for 15, while Ryan Burl was also out for 15, caught at the wicket off Tiripano.

The score at the close was 44 for three wickets, with Charles Kunje on 11 and the night-watchman, Trevor Gwandu, yet to score.