Tuskers defeat Rhinos

A CHANGE in the format of the game brought about a transformation in fortunes for Matabeleland Tuskers as they defeated Rhinos by six wickets with 57 balls to spare in a Pro50 Championship cricket match played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

The win was a welcome relief for the Douglas Hondo-coached Tuskers who had a terrible run in the Logan Cup where they finished without a win in the six matches they played in the country’s premier first class cricket competition.

Left handed batsmen Craig Ervine, coming in to bat at three struck an unbeaten half century, with Tuskers, who restricted Rhinos to 231 for nine in 50 overs getting 235-5 in 40.3 overs. Ervine finished unbeaten on 86 runs off 98 deliveries, having put away six fours and one six. The left hander put on 126 runs for the fourth wicket with Charles Kunje who contributed 54 before spinner Tendai Chisoro had him stumped by Peter Moor.

Ervine was there right up to the end when Tendai Maruma struck a six off Bothwell Chapungu’s bowling to seal it for Tuskers.

Earlier on, Tuskers skipper Ainsley Ndlovu won the toss and opted to field, a move which paid off. Pace bowler Christopher Mpofu gave Tuskers the best possible start with the ball when he bowled Chapungu for a three ball duck. Moor had the highest score for Rhinos with his 77 coming off 103 balls while Prince Masvaure had 41 runs but the visiting team did not put up a challenging enough score for Tuskers.

Pace bowler Charlton Tshuma finished with three wickets, Mpofu had two, together with off spinner John Nyumbu.

In their run chase, Tuskers lost the wickets of Brian Chari, Ncube, Williams as well as Kunje before they crossed the finish line in style.

The two teams meet in yet another 50 over clash at the same venue this morning with Tuskers looking to make it two out of two while Rhinos will seek to make amends for yesterday’s loss. — @Mdawini_29