Series Thread: Logan Cup 2008-09

[Train Driver]

Scorecards for

Centrals v Easterns

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Score ... 14568.html

http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedom ... 87905.html

and Westerns v Northerns

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Score ... 14567.html

http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedom ... 87904.html

[CrimsonAvenger]

Well, he might be someone who lacks discipline, and he might find it tough to make up his mind on whether to go fishing today or save the world (read Zimbabwean cricket team) from a catastrophic collapse, but still, he is the best with the bat, and the best left arm spinner for Westerns. So, when he decides to play, it must not be at 6th or 7th in the batting order, and must not be kept out of bowling for the whole match. You cannot expect to win matches like that.

[Detective RDS]

Link: http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/co ... 02898.html

Logan Cup 2008-09 5th round

Utseya helps Easterns regain top spot

Cricinfo staff

May 4, 2009

Prosper Utseya's seven-wicket haul in the second innings not only helped Easterns maintain their unbeaten record in the competition but took them to the top of the points table, following a crushing win against Centrals at the Old Hararians. Utseya ended with eleven wickets in the match while Bernard Mlambo shone with the bat, stroking a brilliant 158, to set up the innings-and-nine-run victory.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Centrals were lifted by eighties from captain Chamu Chibhabha and Malclom Waller to 275. Utseya was the most successful bowler for Easterns, accounting for four batsmen from the lower half of the order. It proved a below-par score as Easterns were given a rousing start by Mlambo. He strung together key partnerships with captain Hamilton Masakadza (51), Stuart Matsinkenyeri (85) and wicketkeeper Forster Mutizwa (51) as Easterns went from strength to strength. His 321-ball innings, comprising 17 fours and a six, was largely responsible for Easterns finishing on 453 - a lead of 178.

Chibhabha continued from where he left off in Centrals' first innings, hitting 82 off 135 balls, but could not inspire the other batsmen as Utseya ripped through the top and middle orders. He picked up 7 for 56 as only two fifty-and-above partnerships meant Centrals capitulated woefully to 169.

Fifties from Prince Masvaure and Trevor Garwe proved to be the most significant and deciding factor in Northerns' narrow two-wicket win against Westerns at the Country Club. Their eighth-wicket partnership of 109 rescued Northerns from what looked like an inevitable defeat, and it was Dabengwa who stayed on to see them through to the crucial win

Put in to bat, twin fifties from Keith Dabengwa and Charles Coventry pushed Westerns to 220. They were largely kept down by Graeme Cremer's leg spin, who picked up another five-wicket haul. The reply from Northerns was equally sedate, and apart from captain Elton Chigumbura's 45 and a late flourish from Dabngwa, the other batsmen failed to impress as they managed to finish with a slender 25-run lead.

A much-more improved performance in their second essay saw Westerns compiling 332. Classy centuries from Coventry (106) and Sean Williams (102) were the stand-out performances as Chigumbura took the second five-wicket haul of the match.

Set 308 to win, Chris Mpofu's triple strike left the table-toppers struggling at 182 for 7, but Masvaure and Garwe held firm in what was a defining stand. Masvaure fell ten short of his hundred, stroking 10 fours and two sixes en route. But it was Garwe's gritty 56 which ensured Northerns stayed level on points with Easterns though they surrendered the top spot.

© Cricinfo

[zimfan1]

Easterns bowlers shone in epic clash


Northerns first innings 202 for 8 in 66.1 overs (T.Taibu 74, P.Masvaure, P.Utseya 3/37, S.Masakadza 2/38)

Stumps on day 1 of 4

EASTERNS took eight wickets on day one of their epic clash against bitter rivals Northerns in the final round of the Logan Cup at Alexandra Sports Club as the Kevin Curran coached side struggled to make 202 before stumps were called in a delayed match.

The kick off was delayed for 105 minutes as the rains that pounded Harare on Monday left the outfield bad.

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya, who has hit form at the right time for his side took three wickets for 27 runs in his 12 overs spell as he restricted Northerns to just one half century the whole day.

Only former captain Tatenda Taibu made 74 from 177 balls as Easterns tightened things in the park barely giving their opponents any breathing space in this crucial match for both teams. A winner from this match will take the trophy as just seven points separate the two giants with Easterns yet to lose a match in the lead while Northerns lost one, ironically to their bitter rivals in second.

Utseya removed three key figures of the Northerns side while Shingi Masakadza removed opener Sam Mwakayeni (2) and the prized wicket of captain Elton Chigumbura (17) to leave Northerns rocking on the first day.

Although Taibu showed some of his class, he could not bat through the whole day, which if he had done, would have ensured Northerns remained in the hunt for a big score. But Utseya’s brilliant spin removed him after 188 minutes of occupation to herald a mini collapse of the side.

With some much at stake between these two sides, it is how Northerns bowlers react that could be pivotal in their contest. They have in their ensemble personnel that could destroy any batting line up with so much easy. The twin spin of Ray Price and Graeme Cremer has been taking wickets at a canter and if they repeat the same form of old, it could restore their chances for revenge.

The pace of Admire Manyumwa and Chigumbura too, is another ace in the pack but on day one it was Easterns bowlers who did most of the shouting as only Cephas Zhuwawo (31) Prince Masvaure (33) and Taibu (74) contributed meaningful to the scoreboard.

Utseya was in imperious form continuing from where he left in round five against Centrals where he claimed 11 wickets.

[zimfan1]

Centrals frustrate Westerns bowlers


Centrals first innings 218 for 5 in 90 overs (A.Tichana 65, M.Waller 49*, K.Dabengwa 2/36, F.Takarusenga 1/17, J.Nyumbu 1/30)

Stumps on Day 1 of 4

ALOIS Tichana made a deserved half century as Centrals piled 218 for five in the first day of the sixth round of Logan Cup at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday to give themselves a platform on which victory in the four day game could be built.

The match which was delayed for 105 minutes due to bad pitch as Monday received heavy rains the whole day. But when the match began Westerns won the toss and elected to bowl giving Centrals the opportunity to take their nose in front. And they duly complied with a Tichana knock the highlight of the innings.

Eric Chauluka who was promoted to open the innings also made a good 39 off 127 as Centrals built a first wicket partnership of 88. In a match in which Friday Kasteni made a surprise return to the domestic game, the foreign based player made just nine runs from 38 balls before he was brilliantly run out by Freedom Takarusenga.

His return lasted 29 minutes and that brought Chamu Chibhabha to the crease but the captain could only get 38 runs before he was caught by John Nyumbu off Keith Dabengwa to give Westerns some hope as the captain is the key figure of the Centrals outfit.

Malcom Waller was unbeaten on 49 when stumps were called just after the departure of Robertson Mutumbami (1) who was caught by Charles Coventry off Dabengwa bowling. The Westerns captain was the pick of the bolwers with 2/36 with Thabo Mboyi (1/30) and Takarusenga (1/17) getting the other wickets.

[zimfan1]

nice to see that taibu and Utseya are returning to form looks like taibu is going to fight all the way for the wicketkeeping spot alongside taylor and mutziwa

malcom waller once again shows that he is a class player as he is on the verge of scoring 6 half centuries in 11 innings which is very consist

[Train Driver]

Second day close of play scorecards

Centrals v Westerns

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Score ... 14569.html

Easterns v Northerns

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Score ... 14570.html

Neck and neck for Easterns and Northerns, a great way to finish off a good competition this year.

[Detective RDS]

Day 2 Report:

Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=683

Centrals maintain hold on match


Centrals first innings 299 all out in 135.5 overs (A.Tichana 65, M.Waller 61, E.Chauluka 39, F.Takarusenga 3/26, J.Nyumbu 3/85, K.Dabengwa 2/45)

Westerns first innings 149 for 6 in 53 overs (T.Ngulube 48, S.Williams 28, C.Chibhabha 3/47, T.Kamungozi 2/26)

Stumps day 2 of 4

CENTRALS maintain their charge of the sixth round of the Logan Cup at Harare Sports Club when they made 299 all out in 135.5 overs before restricting Westerns to 149 for six at stumps on the second day.

Resuming on overnight score of 218 for five, Centrals added just 18 runs before they were all out in their innings calling Westerns in to bat. Malcom Waller made 61 before he was caught and bowled by John Nyumbu to remove the remaining genuine batsmen on the day for Centrals.

But Tafadzwa Kamungozi batting at number nine made 33 off 62 balls hitting three boundaries and a maximum before Brian Vitori went for a three ball duck to signal the end of Centrals innings caught by Tafadzwa Ngulube off Freedom Takarusenga bowling.

Westerns bowlers Nyumbu and Takarusenga took three wickets each with Dabengwa failing to add to his overnight haul of two wickets. In reply Tafadzwa Ngulube made a decent 48 off 127 balls before Kamungozi removed him. He top scored for Westerns.

Openers Takarusenga and Taurai Madiri and dangerous batsman Charles Coventry were all removed by inspired Centrals captain Chamu Chibhabha who took three for 47 in his nine overs spell to restrict them to 149 for six in 53 overs at stumps.

Tawanda Mupariwa (13) and Thabo Mboyi (7) were left unbeaten at stumps as they tried to repair the damage. Westerns though looked rattled and could face Centrals backlash. At the rate they are playing they could end the series without a single win.

Should Centrals remove Mupariwa, the only one of the tail that can offer some resistance, Centrals could be back batting before lunch on the third day. Kamungozi who took two for 26 and Waller (1/28) made the ride very rough for their opponents.

Trailing by 150 runs, chasing Centrals first inning total of 299, Westerns have their backs to the wall as Centrals sense some blood in the dead rubber encounter as Logan Cup curtain comes down. Play resume on Thursday.

[Detective RDS]

Day 2 report:

Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/?pid=art&articleid=684

Northerns bowlers dominate on day two


Northerns first innings 213 all out in 69 overs (T.Taibu 74, P.Masvaure 33, P.Utseya 4/38, N.Mushangwe 2/23)

Easterns first innings 217 for 9 in 91.3 overs (B.Mlambo 60, T.Maruma 52, E.Chigumbura 3/38 T.Garwe 3/22, G.Cremer 2/58)

Stumps Day 2 of 4

EASTERNS thought they had done enough in restricting Northerns to just 213 all out in their first innings but excellent bowling by Elton Chigumbura and Trevor Garwe put paid to their dream of a huge score in the sixth round of the Logan Cup at Alexandra Sport Club on Wednesday.

Northerns who added just one run to their overnight score of 212 had Easterns tottering on 217 for nine at stumps, an advantage of just four runs as Chigumbura removed the big hitting Tinotenda Mawoyo (42) who was in loud song at the crease.

His opening partnership with Benard Mlambo was worth 104 run as Easterns threatened to punish Northerns. But it was not to be as Graeme Cremer had Mlambo caught behind by Tatenda Taibu after facing 110 balls during which he slogged 60 runs featuring eight boundaries.

Mlambo departure triggered a collapse as Mawoyo followed immediately after trapped brilliantly leg before wicket by Chigumbura. In the next over Stuart Matsikenyeri went for a three ball duck to leave the score at 108/3 after 38.2 overs. No wicket fell until the fifth ball of the 36th over.

Although Timycen Maruma offered some resistance as he tried to repair the innings as his 52 off 142 balls was ended by the valiant Chigumbura, quickly followed by Prosper Utseya who went for a duck after facing balls.

Easterns were truly on the ropes as another genuine batsman and team captain Hamilton Masakadza could only master 17 runs from 70 balls before Garwe had him trapped leg before wicket by Garwe.

Such was the devastation of Northerns bowlers that when stumps came only Shingi Masakadza (0) and Natsai Mushangwe (1) remained on the crease but they are sure to be mopped early on Thursday to trigger another nose in the front battle for supremacy between the game?s bitterest rivals.

[zimfan1]

im backing northans as i think price and creamer can apply pressure to eastern when they are chasing in the 4th innings