[Match Thread] Eagles v Tuskers (Logan Cup)

[CrimsonAvenger]

Ahem! Someone's amongst wickets again...

[Boundary]

Whooooa, what's going on here? I'm not complaining mind you, but what the heck happened to the Eagles?

[sloandog]

Keegan Meth....take a bow

[maehara]

ZC match report:

Tuskers Seamers Shoot Down Eagles

Matabeleland Tuskers 478
Mashonaland Eagles 76 and 27/3


A great bowling performance placed Matabeleland Tuskers in a commanding position after bowling out Mashonaland Eagles for 76 in day two of the Castle Lager Logan Cup match which is being played at CFX Academy.

Tuskers' batsmen continued with Adam Wheater producing yet another brilliant batting display. He consolidated on a seemingly deteriorating pitch which was becoming more flat and difficult to bowl on.

After lunch Wheater (79) ran out of partners and the Eagles bowlers finally sealed off the Tuskers innings for 478. Douglas Hondo was the peak of the Eagles bowlers with the first innings figures of 4 for 75 in 22 overs while Chad Keegan was the more economical with 3 wickets from 24 overs. A valiant effort from the experienced Andrew Hall also earned him two wickets from 18.5 overs.

In defense Tuskers bowlers were straight on the mark a cluster of early wickets with four of the top order batsmen recording zeros. At one stage Eagles had ten runs for the loss of four wickets- dismissing earlier assumptions that the wicket was difficult to bowl on, Tuskers bowlers looked to be enjoying themselves pitching up the ball as well extracting a bit of swing.

Keegan Meth provided the much needed early breakthrough for Tuskers when Nick Compton edged one to wicket keeper Adam Wheater. Forster Mutizwa followed in the next over when Njabulo Ncube dislodged the stumps. Meth and Ncube struck again trapping Prince Masvaure and Gregg Lamb leg before wicket as Eagles attempted to recover from their top-order tumble.

Bowling changes did not change fortunes for the Eagles as the batting collapse continued. Tawanda Mupariwa's extra bounce surprised Regis Chakabva forcing him to edge the ball towards third slip where Terence Duffin was up for the task to take a low diving catch to put Eagles in a spot of bother as tea interval came with the score at 21 for 5. After lunch Tuskers continued their onslaught with Eagles losing wickets at regular intervals. Ryan Butterworth and Andrew Hall were the only players who managed to reach double figures. Considering the extent of damage Eagles had taken, Hall's 33 from 55 balls can be classified as gallant.

It was an all-round performance from the Tuskers seamers. Keegan Meth was the Tuskers highest wicket taker with impressive first innings figures of 4 for 24 along with Tawanda Mupariwa was tidy for his three wickets. With Eagles 402 runs behind Tuskers rightfully enforced the follow as day two ends with Eagles on 27 for 3.

[sloandog]

I'm really struggling to think what more the selectors want in a cricketer. He takes the new ball, he takes wickets, he keeps the flow of runs down, he keeps being ignored.... huh ??

[eugene]

The selectors are idiots. Keegan Meth should be the national team captain by now.

[maehara]

Wicket: Mutizwa (c Wheater b Mpofu 26). Eagles 82/4 after 28.2 overs.
Wicket: Butterworth (c & b Dabengwa 49). Eagles 139/5 after 47.4 overs.
Wicket: Chakabva (c Ewing b Dabengwa 8). Eagles 162/6 after 53.5 overs.
Wicket: Lamb (c Horton b Chakabva 101). Eagles 245/7 after 79.2 overs.
Wicket: Hall (b Ncube 29). Eagles 249/8 after 82.2 overs.
Wicket: Garwe (c Ewing b Meth 23). Eagles 274/9 after 85.4 overs.
Wicket: Hondo (b Meth 3). Eagles 278 all out after 88 overs.

Tuskers win by an innings and 124 runs.

[Boundary]

Yesssssssssssss Tuskers FTW. Meth takes 4 again, Sloan I'm jumping into your bandwagon about the guy!

[eugene]

Yesssssssssssss Tuskers FTW. Meth takes 4 again, Sloan I'm jumping into your bandwagon about the guy!

Welcome to the 'Meth Express'

[maehara]

Welcome to the 'Meth Express'

With a name like that you're more likely to attract the drugs squad than the ZC selectors...