Series Thread: Logan Cup 2008-09

[zimfan1]

well looks like they must of worked a miracle

[muyendesi]

i wish we could get a picture the ground now. miracles do happen mate look what happened with cricinfo. we have a few miracles of late.

[alan132]

Agreed miracles must happen. It is a remarkable turn around from the state of the ground a year ago. Perhaps the Alex groundsman should be in charge of relaying the outfield at the Sir Viv Richards ground in Antigua

[zimfan1]

herd a whisper that keegen meth may be returning for the logan cup lets keep our fingers crossed

[zimfan1]

Cremer creams off Centrals as Northerns set the pace


Centrals – 184 all out in 68.3 overs (M.Waller 69, T.Chitongo 19, E.Rainsford 18 no Cremer 4/81, E.Chigumbura 3/38)

Northerns – 31/3 in 17.1 overs

NORTHERNS spin sensation Graeme Cremer was at his lethal best in the first day of the first Test when his 4/81 destroyed Centrals in the Logan Cup at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday, setting the pace in the long haul race for kudos in the six match marathon.

So inspiring was Cremer that he removed the prized wicket of the dangerous Malcom Waller (69), Robert Chinyengetere (17) Simba Gupo (2) and Mike Chinouya (6) to leave the Chamu Chibhabha captained side all out for a sub 200 total of 184 in just 68.3 overs, forcing Centrals back to work in the same day.

But Centrals showed no signs of fatigue as they quickly took three wickets before close of play after bowling for 17.1 overs. Paceman Edward Rainsford who made 19 not out with the bat removed opener Keith Kondo for 11 runs off 24 balls before Taurai Muzarabani cleanly bowled Ishmael Senzere for 2 before the off form Tatenda Taibu became the third scalp in the twilight of the innings, trapped leg before wicket by captain Chibhabha for just 6 off 24 balls.

Centrals who resume with the ball again on Wednesday are hopeful of finishing their good start with the ball when they face Regis Chakabva and Patience Charumbira in day two of the premier domestic test competition.

But it is the manner with which the Northerns bowlers destroyed Centrals in the morning session that was the talking point. With Elton Chigumbura who despite taking just three wickets, bowled tight and well, barely producing a poor ball in his 16 overs spell, it always looked a cake in the pan for Centrals batsmen.

The Chigumbura-Cremer axis was like a combination made in hell for Chibhabha and his boys as their balls were causing too much discomfort to them with Chibhabha falling to Chigumbura when trying to sweep him for covers and Tatenda Taibu was at hand to complete the demolition act of the heart and soul of the side. He departed for seven off 14 balls in just 17 minutes.

The Northerns celebration told it all and as soon as he departed for the pavilion disappointed, only Waller who top scored with a valiant 69, punished the Northerns bowlers. All the other batsmen were creamed off for sub 20 totals.

But Centrals who won the toss and elected to bat, seemed to have compensated for some of the soft wickets they gave away in the morning when regrouping to take three wickets in 17.1 overs before stumps with 31 runs on the board for Northerns, still 153 runs behind, but with seven wickets in hand.

[zimfan1]

Easterns launch spirited response to Westerns innings


Westerns – 156 all out in 55 overs:

(K. Dabengwa 43, T. Madiri 41, M. Dube 30; S. Nyamuzinga 3/2, P. Kadzitye 3/42, D. Hondo 2/40)

Easterns – 104 for 2 in 31 overs:

(H. Masakadza 44*, S. Matsikenyeri 25*, J. Marumisa 28; C. Mpofu 1/26, K. Dabengwa 1/26)

Stumps on day 1 of 4-day match.

IN another Logan Cup match, at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, Westerns won the toss and elected to bat but were soon on the back foot skittled for just half the day's allotted overs.

They made 156 runs in 55 overs, with captain Keith Dabengwa top-scoring with an almost a run-a-ball 43 runs before he was caught by Forster Mutizwa off the bowling of Steady Musoso. He faced 47 balls in 63 minutes, hitting six fours and one six.

The left-hander was helped by Taurai Madiri who posted 41. His total came from 87 balls, seven of them fours. In his 133 minutes at the crease, Madiri received two lives. He was first dropped by Musoso on three and then by Donald Tiripano on 40 before he was dismissed by Philemon Kadzitye when he had him caught by Mutizwa.

On a day that the Easterns fielding was not at its best, Christopher Mpofu (8*) was dropped by Johnson Marumisa on two and Mxolisi Dube by Douglas Hondo on 20. Dube celebrated his revival by adding another 10 to his tally before he was caught by Marumisa off Steven Nyamuzinga who returned career-best figures of three wickets for two runs in four overs, three of them maiden.

Kadzitye finished with three wickets for 42 runs in 12 overs and Hondo two for 40 in 14. Musoso and national team captain Prosper Utseya got a wicket each.

Easterns were 104 for two wickets in their first innings, at stumps. They will fancy their chances of a first innings lead as they have a deficit of 52 with eight wickets in hand.

Zimbabwe top-order batsmen Hamilton Masakadza (44*) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (25*) were at the crease at the end of the first day’s play. Zimbabwe bowlers Christopher Mpofu and Keith Dabengwa shared the two wickets that fell in the Easterns innings.

[zimfan1]

have to remember the westerns are missing coventry and vermulen in their batting order

nice to see waller getting some runs

[CrimsonAvenger]

have to remember the westerns are missing coventry and vermulen in their batting order

Yes, that is a big factor, especially with Williams no more part of the Westers set up. They look like the weakest team now, until Vermeulen and Coventry rejoin.

And, Go Cremer!

[zimfan1]

day 2




Northerns failed to take advantage of Centrals innings slump


Northerns first innings day two - total 186 all out 56.3 overs (E.Chigumbura 82, G.Cremer 18, T.Muzarabani 4/61, C.Chibhabha 3/25)

Centrals second innings 141 for 6 42 overs (M.Waller 73, C.Chibhabha 24, E.Chigumbura, G.Cremer 2/50)

NORTHERNS could have put Centrals batsmen to the sword in the second innings but failed to take complete advantage of the slump in the first innings, making just 186 runs, an advantage of just two runs after resuming on an overnight score of 31 for three on Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.

After losing the wickets of Keith Kondo, Ishmael Senzere and Tatenda Taibu as they replied to Centrals total of 184, Northerns had the opportunity to set a big target in the second day but the side collapsed all out for 186 to give Centrals a ray of hope of taking the match to the post.

Taurai Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets for 61 runs with captain Chamu Chibhabha (3/25) and Mike Chinouya (2/42) making sure Northerns do not set a big target for them to chase.

Elton Chigumbura’s quick fire 82 from 67 balls was the only notable knock from the more fancied Kevin Curran coached side. Only Patience Charumbira (17) and Graeme Cremer (18) made double figures as Centrals bowlers tore into their batting with passion. After knocking them all out for 186, it was Centrals’ turn to take the advantage in the afternoon session before stumps.

But they too flattered only to deceive with spinners Ray Price, Cremer and Chigumbura combining to remove all the top order batsmen with the three of them - Malcom Waller, Robertson Chinyengetere and Bekezela Moyo coming in the twilight of the innings as spinners put too much pressure on batsmen with time running out.

At stumps, Centrals were tottering on 141 for six when at some point they looked comfortable at 131 for three before the colossal collapse at the death. Northerns hope is pinned on quickly removing the tail and set on a chasing a low target to win in their second innings perhaps on the third day with a possibility of a result on the day.

But such is the unpredictability of first class cricket that Centrals tail may spring a surprise by either batting to set a high target or the bowlers order a midday demolition party on Northerns batsmen.

The match though looks in Northerns favour with Centrals second innings advantage just 139 runs.

[zimfan1]

another 50 from waller great effort