Series Thread: Logan Cup 2008-09

[Train Driver]

Another failure for the Westerns batsmen and another defeat

http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedom ... 87903.html

http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/S ... 14566.html

[zimfan1]

looks like it started a day early

Northerns bowl winless Westerns on day one but......


Westerns 220 all out in 79.4 overs (C.Coventry 76, K.Dabengwa 57, T.Nguube*, G.Cremer 5/53 R.Price 2/54, P.Masvaure 1/33)

Northerns 20/2 in 8 overs (T.Taibu 12* S.Mwakayeni 7*, T.Mupariwa 1/7 C.Mpofu 1/5)

Stumps on day 1

NORTHERNS bowled out Westerns for 220 at the Academy grounds in the fifth round of the Logan Cup but quickly lost two wickets in reply before close of innings on Monday to give their winless opponents some ray of hope.

After Graeme Cremer, in true Northerns fashion in this competition this season, took five wickets for 53 runs in his 30.4 overs, Westerns were left on life support as Ray Price (2/54) and Prince Masvaure (1/33) mopped up the innings.

So imperious was Cremer that he removed the dangerous Charles Coventry (76) who at some point looked poised for a century with some impish batting. He had him caught by Elton Chigumbura but not before he slogged six boundaries and four maximums in 137 balls. His occupation lasted 171 minutes.

Captain Keith Dabengwa hit a useful 57 in 81 balls in which he hit six fours and three sixes before he was caught by Tatenda Taibu to break a third wicket partnership with Coventry that was going smoothly. It was worth 78 runs from 125 balls.

Sean Williams from whom much was expected went for a single run to Cremer before the spinner had Mbekezeli Mabuza trapped leg before wicket for a duck. Price was to repeat the same trick when removing Tawanda Mupariwa for one. Admire Manyumwa; another serial wicket taker effected the run out for Njabulo (number 11) to leave Tafadzwa Ngulube stranded on 47 in 79.4 overs.

But Westerns quickly took the early wickets, removing openers Keith Kondo who fell for a duck to Tawanda Mupariwa and Cephas Zhuwawo for a single in just three overs when Chris Mpofu had him caught by Ngulube.

Sam Mwakyeni (7*) and Tatenda Taibu who signaled his return to form in the fourth round against Centrals was on 12 off 15 balls at stumps.

[zimfan1]

Centrals batted through day one against Easterns


Centrals 275 for 9 in 90 overs (M.Waller 85, C.Chibhabha 80 T.Mahlunge 50 P.Utseya 4/54, S.Masakadza 2/49)

Day 1 at Stumps

THREE half centuries by Centrals batsmen stretched Easterns on day one of the fifth round of the Logan Cup at Old Hararians Sports Club on Monday after three quick wickets fell for just 36 runs in 12.3 overs threatening a clear out before stumps.

But the return of Chamu Chibhabha who sat out the fourth round which Centrals lost by an innings and 290 runs due suspension, restored the order in their batting forcing Easterns bowlers to toil the whole day with Centrals 275 for nine at stumps.

Chibhabha who made 80 from 134 balls was ably assisted by Malcom Waller who top scored with 85 batting at number five and Tarisai Mahlunge (50) made important half centuries to push the innings to stumps with Tendai Chisoro (11) and Taurai Muzarabani (0) still on the crease.

Although the tail is not expected to pile runs when batting resume on Tuesday morning, that Centrals after an early collapse, forced the powerful Easterns to bowl the whole day is a precursor of what to expect in this match. The two teams played out a draw in round two at the same venue and it remains to be seen how Easterns will negotiate this one this time around.

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 54 in his marathon 30 overs shift. Shingi Masakadza chipped in with two wickets as Centrals remained resolute to stumps.

[zimfan1]

good to see Coventry in the runs and my man Waller just keeps on getting better and better along with the consistent chibbaha

[Detective RDS]

Great to see that,Coventry in form with 76.He is one of my favourites.Just want to see him back him international cricket action.

Well done Malcolm Waller(85) and Justice Chibhabha(80).Also Graeme Cremer with a five wicket haul.

[Train Driver]

Day 2 reports

Westerns v Northerns

http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=675

Centrals v Easterns

http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=674

[zimfan1]

WILLIAMS AND COVENTRY BACK WITH A BANG

Westerns salivating as Northerns look rattled


Westerns second innings 332 all out in 85.2 overs (S.Williams 106, C.Coventry 102, K.Dabengwa 46, E.Chigumbura 5/71 R.Price 2/37)

Northerns second innings 60 for 3 8.4 overs (C.Zhuwawo 26, T.Taibu 18 R.Chakabva 13* C.Mpofu 3/13)

Stumps day 3

CHRIS Mpofu could have given Westerns a perfect platform to upset the applecart when he took three crucial wickets in 29 minutes to leave Northerns 60 for three chasing 553 to win on day three in the second innings of the fifth round of the Logan Cup at the Academy ground on Wednesday.

A heroic century by Charles Coventry and Sean Williams set the platform for the winless Westerns to take their score to 332 all out in 85.2 overs in their second innings. Coventry top scored with 106 from 147 balls while Williams weighed in with a quick fire 102 in 107 balls with 15 boundaries to cap a fine spell on the crease for Westerns.

That shift took the initiative from Northerns despite Elton Chigumbura taking five wickets as the Keith Dabengwa captained side added 300 on day three. They resumed on their overnight score of 32.

Although Graeme Cremer quickly removed Dabengwa (47) and Taurai Madhiri (17), the duo who saw off the innings on day two, Westerns still mustered the resolve to repair the innings with some excellent batting from Coventry who negotiated the spin of Cremer and Ray Price beautifully.

But it was Williams who starred with the bat with his 106 that took the score beyond 300 to ensure that his side had a chance on the match. Although Chigumbura mopped up the tail with some trademark pace and poise, Westerns had another sting in the tail as Mpofu removed openers Sam Mwakayeni for a four ball duck, and big hitting Cephas Zhuwawo (26).

When Tatenda Taibu had his bails removed by another accurate Mpofu ball, Westerns sensed some blood hoping for another breakthrough. Regis Chakabva (13) and Cremer (0) were left unbeaten at stumps still needing 248 runs to win.

But the removal of openers makes the job difficult for Northerns as Mpofu seems to have come to the party at the right time for his side. Northerns fancies their chances on the fourth day but with three wickets down, this could be one match Westerns deserved to win for their efforts.

Westerns have Northerns at their mercy on the final day needing seven wickets to win as their more fancied need to bat to get 248 to maintain the defence of their title strong.
More articles >

[Detective RDS]

Fantastic to natice that Charles Coventry has made a century (102) after his 76 in the 1st innings.

Sean Williams has also got a ton (106) under his belt.

Elton Chigumbura with a five wicket haul (5/71).

From the westerns bowling prospective, Christopher Mpofu chipped in with 3 wickets (3/13).

Finally, a good team performance showed by Westerns after their 4 consecutive defeats.

[zimfan1]

Easterns close in on victory


Easterns 1st innings 453 all out in 133.1 overs (B.Mlambo 158, S.Matsikenyeri 85, H.Masakadza 51 F.Mutizwa 51 T.Kamungozi 5/130 C.Chibhabha 2/71)

Centrals 2nd innings 148 for 6 in 41 overs (C.Chibhabha 82* T.Chisoro 20*, P.Utseya 5/45, S.Mujaji 1/26)

Day 3 at stumps

BENARD Mlambo made a fantastic 158 to steer Easterns to 453 on day three of the fifth round of the Logan Cup on Wednesday at Old Hararians after Centrals made 275 in the first innings to take a lead of 178 runs.

But Centrals wiped the advantage to 30 runs in their second innings with captain Chamu Chibhabha unbeaten on 82 from 127 balls despite a five wicket haul by Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya in the twilight of the session which put a dent on an otherwise impressive knock. They were 148 for six after 41 overs as stumps came.

Chibhabha who opened with Eric Chauluka stayed on the crease for 127 minutes and when stumps came he and Tendai Chisoro (20) were still slogging it out as they bid to pile runs for their side. But with six wickets already down, it looks like Easterns will remove the tail on the final day and set on sealing their fourth victory in the series.

The innings of Mlambo were crucial in that he stayed on the crease for 416 minutes during which he faced 321 balls hitting 17 fours and one six to give Easterns the nod over Centrals who always give his side a lot of scares.

Although the Easterns innings featured his century only three other batsmen hit a half century to complement his career best knock in the domestic game.

Hamilton Masakadza and Foster Mutizwa both perished on 51 with Stuart Matsikenyeri (85) pushing the score further up. But Centrals in their second innings were done a huge blow by Utseya whose five wickets in 18 overs during which he conceded 45 runs, was crucial in pegging them back.

Centrals though could cause another frustration to Easterns if captain Chibhabha remain on the crease on Thursday which is the last day. His 82 not out could be a platform on which they may force another draw against the same opponents as in the second round at the same venue.

But should Easterns remove Chibhabha early, they stand a chance of wrapping the match as all the recognized batsmen were removed in a devastating Utseya spell late on Wednesday. Centrals though will have themselves to blame for having let their good chances slip through their fingers.

The man who destroyed them, Mlambo was dropped three times. First he was dropped by Robertson Chinyengetere on 29 before Malcom Waller dropped him twice on 69 and 153 before he finally perished at the hands of a clean bowl from Tafadzwa Kamungozi.

Even Matsikenyeri who went on to make 85 was dropped by Tarisai Mahlunge on 19, so Easterns in essence rode their lucky too much in their innings. It remains to be seen what Chibhabha has in store when he resume batting on 82 with partner Tendai Chisoro on 20 also looking to add to his overnight score.

They are still 30 runs behind Easterns with four wickets in hand. Easterns score of 453 was reached after a patient two day spell of batting and the deficit looks surmountable as Centrals can still believe in themselves as long as Chibhabha remains on the crease. He can be effective when on song.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Good to see some big scores by Williams and more importantly Coventry. That's Coventry's maiden First Class century, and for Williams his hundred keeps his average in the 40's. With Waller dropping to the high 30's and Mutizwa's in the mid-30's (but rising), I think this leaves Williams as the only 40+'er.