[Match Thread] Eagles v Rhinos (Logan Cup)

[tlse]

hi zimfan was always here just lost my password hehehe

[bigdoggpitbull]

hi there was a lad bout 6'3 seen swapping papers with kenyon ziehl.ceo of rhinos..andy waller was present also..my contact in harare saw this..who could it be?? he was tall, dark and had broad shoulders so that should tell us mayb he is a fast bowler..please could someone help..

[zimfan1]

Victory in sight for Mash Eagles

By John Ward

BY the end of the third day’s play in this Logan Cup match at Harare Sports Club yesterday, the log leaders Mashonaland Eagles had another victory well in their sights.

Midwest finished the day only 46 runs ahead in their second innings, with five wickets down, and only an unexpected and unusually fine performance can save them from defeat on the final day.

Mashonaland Eagles resumed at their overnight score of 306 for three wickets, in reply to the Midwest Rhinos total of 312.

Yesterday’s century-maker Forster Mutizwa was still at the crease with 165, partnered by Greg Lamb with 4.

Almost from the start, the Midwest bowling was not directed at the stumps, but this was a deliberate policy.

The approach was clearly, "If you want it, you come and get it," forcing the batsmen to chase balls wide of the stumps if they wanted to score runs.

In the main the batsmen were not prepared to take the risk, with Mutizwa in particular planning to reach his double century by safe methods.

Some rather boring play ensued, with many balls allowed to go through to the keeper and Ed Rainsford in particular directing the ball consistently wide of the off stump.

It is definitely negative tactics, but Midwest could claim that it worked for them in the end.

They could, and their coach Andy Waller did, with some justification claim that a side with a limited bowling attack has little option against a strong batting side on a pitch that gives them no help, and that the end justified the means.

But it does not make for interesting cricket.

Mutizwa continued to show great patience, but he lost Lamb for 16, slashing at a ball outside the off stump and being caught at the wicket.

Elton Chigumbura followed for 12, caught at slip driving, as Mutizwa inched towards his double-century.

Unfortunately, it was to be denied him: finally, on 190, his concentration snapped, as he drove at a ball from Mike Chinouya well wide of his off stump and was caught at slip.

He had played a superb innings in this type of cricket, the sort that is invaluable in Test cricket, facing 272 balls and hitting 20 fours and two sixes.

There was not too much strength in the Mashonaland lower order; five of the last seven batsmen reached double figures, but none went on to reach 20.

The innings closed for 406, which was certainly rather less than they had been hoping for at the start of play.

It gave them, however, a useful lead of 94 on the first innings.

There were three wickets each to Taurai Muzarabani, Graeme Cremer — who paid most dearly for them, as the still soft pitch did not suit him — and Chinouya.

The start of the Midwest innings seemed to suggest the players were eager to return home last night.

Innocent Chikunya played a very strange stroke to the first ball of the innings, from Chigumbura, lobbing a gentle catch to mid-on.

Friday Kasteni and Brendan Taylor indulged briefly in some rather frenetic batting, with a few wild strokes and a couple of almost suicidal runs, and it was quite inexplicable.

But they survived and began to settle down to more sensible batting, especially Kasteni, who applied himself much more carefully.

Taylor made 26 out of 38 before he was dismissed, trapped lbw by Trevor Garwe.

This brought Vusi Sibanda to the wicket, and it was always a strong possibility that the result of the match would depend on his performance.

Twice already this season he has scored two centuries in the same match, and his form in the first innings showed he was quite capable of doing so again.

He played a steady innings, waiting for the right ball to hit, with one superb drive through extra cover to the boundary being outstanding.

But when he had made 28 he seemed momentarily to lose concentration and lofted an on-drive, none too hard; Chigumbura made good ground to complete the catch and Mashonaland celebrated.

They had victory in their nostrils now.

Minutes later they took another step towards it when Kasteni fell for 30, trying to pull a short ball from Chigumbura but only dragging it on to his stumps.

At this stage Midwest were just three runs ahead with four top wickets gone.

Their only real hope now was that the experienced Northamptonshire player Rikki Wessels would come good for them, but he too fell before the close, caught at square leg for 16.

Malcolm Waller and Cremer will continue the innings for Mid West on the final day.

They have the ability to make the home side fight for victory, so nothing should be taken for granted, but it will be a surprise and a grand performance if Mid West are able to avoid defeat. — zimcricket.

[zimfan1]

Looks like ZC have employed John Ward to write for them which is a great move as one of Zimbabwes best cricket writers he has been missing for the last couple of years so its nice to have him back and get detailed match reports.

[tawac]

Rhinos now 241/8 leading by 147 runs. Eagles shld be sharpening thier Talons now. With 40 odd overs left in the day. This game is there for the taking. We just need to clean up this Rhinos tail, fast. To bad we havent been able to use Jarvis, I hope the young lad's injury isnt a serious one.

[tawac]

Okay Rhinos 269 all out. Eagles need 176runs from 40overs thats at a run rate of 4.4 with the extra thirty minutes of play at the end of the day. Eagles look to be in a good positon hand Rhinos their first defeat of the Logan Cup 2009/10 and extent their led at the top of the log.

Go Eagles Go!!!!!

[Robin]

John Wards return to Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Cricket is as good news as any of the returning players. The quality of stats and info now coming out of Zim will be of a standard we haven't seen for years.

I had heard that John was returning but guessed that he actually had when on the first day of this match a full and comprehensive bio for the sub fielder Kudakwashe Munyede (who had previously played no representative, first class, List A or 20/20 cricket) appeared on Cricinfo within 10 mins of him taking a catch! Class!

[Haifridz of Old]

Eagles soaring higher and higher and not a sign of an dropped feathers. That's my team..a special mention to one Forster Mutizwa for his 190, Good bowling from Elton as well...Good knocks from Mwakayeni and Butterworth too.