Faithwear round-up: day 1

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on March 01, 2009

In the first day of the 2008-09 Faithwear Inter-Provincial One Day Tournament two matches were played: Centrals vs Easterns at the CFX Academy, and Northerns vs Westerns at Harare Sports Club.

Centrals vs Easterns, CFX Academy

At the academy grounds, Centrals batted first and were bowled out for just 157. Wicket keeper Richmond Mutumbami was most impressive with a determined 53. Captain of the side Chamu Chibhabha chipped in with 29, but there were no other scores of substance. Robertson Chinyengetere, who has been in such excellent form in the National League, was dismissed for 19 off the bowling of Timycen Maruma. Malcolm Waller, who made his ODI debut on the tour of Bangladesh, was out for 14. Douglas Hondo returned to professional cricket with 1/39 from his 7 overs, while Hamilton Masakadza - opening the bowling - took 2/14. Timycen Maruma and Donald Tiripano also took 2 wickets.

In reply, Easterns faltered early losing Stuart Matsikenyeri in the 3rd over for 5 and then Bernard Mlambo for 2. Maskadza steadied the ship with 31. Prosper Utseya and Timycen Maruma, both batting in the middle order, both made starts, but it was new batting sensational Forster Mutizwa who guided the team home with a 37 run partnership with Steven Nyamuzinga. Mutizwa was run out for 25, while Nyamuzinga blasted 31 from 27 balls and remained unbeaten. Easterns won by 3 wickets.

Northerns vs Westerns, Harare Sports Club

Meanwhile at the home of Zimbabwean cricket, Harare Sports Club, there was much to talk about. Mark Vermeulen made his professional comeback, as did Charles Coventry. Batting first, Westerns lost Freedom Takarusenga early for a duck, followed not long after by Tafadzwa Ngulube for a duck also. Keith Dabengwa made 6, while Chales Coventry would have been disapointed to have made just 10. Meanwhile, Vermeulen who opened the innings was steadily increasing his score until he was dismissed leg before on 30 off the bowling of Graeme Cremer. His patient 30 took 105 minutes and 79 balls. There were no other contributions until Njabulo Ncube at number 11 made 15 runs, including a 6 and a 4. Elton Chigumbura was the chief destroyer with 4/23, while Cremer took 3/20. Ray Price took 1/18 from his 10 overs, including the wicket of Coventry. Confidence Mutombodzi took 2/23 from 8 overs, while Admire Manyumwa's 0/13 off 9 overs included 3 maidens.

Northerns didn't have an easy time of it chasing down the target of 99, losing the top order cheaply. Tatenda Taibu made 4, while Cephas Zhuwawo was caught behind on 24. Despite this, Northerns managed to get home with 5 wickets in hand. Spinner John Nyumbu was the leading wicket taker for Westerns with 2/33.