[Match Thread] Mountaineers v Rhinos (Logan Cup)

[Train Driver]

He's in a very difficult situation really, with Utseya, Price and Cremer in front of him there seems little chance at the moment that he will get anything more than 'A' matches or Intercontinental Cup, even if Utseya was to lose the captaincy he seems to have hit good form with his bowling, Price is untouchable unless he was to hit an out of form streak which really only leaves Cremer for Maruma to replace, it seems unfair almost to have 4 classy spinners all around at the same time.

One way i suppose, would be to rotate the 4 of them, personally i don't like rotational policies and it would be even more difficult with 4 spinners.

Looks as though young Higgins is staking a claim now as well with his opening first class wickets

[maehara]

...and here's another spinner who's on a roll:
Rememberance Nyathi, currently on 3-2-2-3.

[Train Driver]

I know neither of the sides are very strong or experienced, but 15 wickets in 78 overs on the opening day is a bit much

[maehara]

I know neither of the sides are very strong or experienced, but 15 wickets in 78 overs on the opening day is a bit much

Dodgy pitch, more likely. Seems unlikely we have that many star bowlers in reserve. Sadly.

[maehara]

MIDWEST Rhinos fought back strongly on the first day of their Logan Cup match against Manicaland Mountaineers in Mutare on Thursday. Currently trailing behind Mountaineers on the log by just two points, Rhinos managed to restrict the hosts to 145-5 at stumps after being bowled out for 136 earlier.

Manicaland off-spinner Tymcen Maruma was again the toast for the hosts, bowling magnificently to claim 6-40. Maruma's biggest scalp was the in-from Rhinos captain Vusi Sibanda, who he bowled for four. Only Rhinos opener Innocent Chikunya, with a steady 54, resisted the onslaught.  He was out when emerging leg-spinner Natsayi Mushangwe trapped him leg before. Opening bowler Shingi Masakadza and Mushangwe took two wickets apiece.

In reply, Mountaineers were lifted from a worrisome 90-5 by first-class debutant Jethro Maudzi (20 not out) and Donald Tiripano (29 not out) to be 145-5 at the end of Day 1. Opener Johnson Marumisa top-scored with 60 before he was snapped by wicketkeeper Chikunya from off-spinner Remembrance Nyathi's bowling.

Nyathi had claimed 3-19, while debutant Dylon Higgins, the Zimbabwe Under 19 captain, took two wickets.

Manicaland are being captained by Tino Mawoyo in the absence of Hamilton Masakadza, who is on national duty in Bangladesh.

[Detective RDS]

In Rhinos innings only Innocent Chikonya made a handful contribution making 54 runs, his maiden FC half century. Soloman Mire and Friday Kasteni chipped in with 20's.

Timycen Maruma 6/40, excellent in one word ! He is probably the world's best reserve spinner who isn't making the national side, what say

Mountaineers batsman Johnson Marumisa made a well 60 runs. Interesting fact I noticed in CricInfo his profile ;

He has some experience at first-class, having played alongside top players such as Andy Flower, Guy Whittall and others for Manicaland.

Great ! Averages 32 in 20 FC matches not so bad either but his List A average has suffered much averaging 17 in 21 List A matches.

And good bowling by Remembrance Nyathi and debutant Dylan Higgins.

[maehara]

That's a ton up for Mountaineers' Jethro Maudzi in his maiden First Class innings (103 not out, with Mountaineer on 288/8). Looking like another loss for Rhinos is on the cards here...

[maehara]

Mountaineers 303 all out, a lead of 167. 6/93 for Higgins, though, which isn't bad at all...

[Train Driver]

Mmmm, not too good from a Rhino point of view, they didn't even manage the 4th bowling point .......

Very good debut figures for Higgins, now he'll have the fun of trying to better them, very possibly a match winning partnership from Maudzi and Tiripano, Maudzi will now have the same problem as Higgins i guess, trying to do it again and better.

Is there such a thing as a rhino rain dance ?

[maehara]

Day Two close:
Mid West Rhinos 136 & 117/3 (34.2 ov)
Mountaineers 303
Mid West Rhinos trail by 50 runs with 7 wickets remaining