Brendan Taylor scores 95 in remarkable comeback

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on April 22, 2009

Zimbabwe's perennial match-winner, the wicket keeper batsman Brendan Taylor, has turned out for his province Northerns and smashed 95 in what was a remarkable comeback. There were murmurs that he would be returning to Zimbabwe in early March for the second half of the Faithwear tournament, but when this did not come to fruition few held out hope that he would return for the Logan Cup.

As round 4 of the Logan Cup got underway, it was certainly a good time to be a wicket keeper. Taylor's 95 came with 7 boundaries and 4 sixes. He was caught by Malcolm Waller off Tafadzwa Kamungozi trying to bring up his century with a maximum. Tatenda Taibu finally hit some form with 92. Regis Chakabva was unbeaten on 77 at stumps, with Northerns in a good position at 4/351 after 84.3 overs. Centrals bowlers Waller, Kamungozi, Blessing Mahwire and Bright Mugochi have a wicket each.

Mahwire came back into the team for Centrals after their most consistent bowler Ed Rainsford sustained a hamstring tear. Generally, hamstring related injuries result in several weeks on the sidelines. Douglas Hondo, the former Zimbabwe paceman who made a return for Easterns this season, has also torn his hamstring.

Meanwhile at Harare Sports Club, Easterns took on Westerns. It was again the wicket keepers getting in on the action, with Forster Mutizwa top scoring for his team with 50. Easterns had a hard time of it with the twin spin of John Nyumbu (offspin) and Freedom Takarusenga (left arm orthodox) never letting up the pressure.

Nyumbu took care of the top order, removing Tino Mawoyo who has just returned from injury for 8. Bernard Mlambo contributed 24 while Stuart Matsikenyeri made just 14. Tawanda Mupariwa ensured Hamilton Masakadza would not stick around after having him caught by Charles Coventry on 34, at which point Easterns were in trouble at 4/86.

Wickets continued to fall regularly courtesy of Freedom Takarusenga who tied down the middle and lower order, including the wickets of Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya and Zimbabwe A captain Timycen Maruma. John Nyumbu took the wicket of the dangerous Mutizwa.

Takarusenga ended with 4/35, while Nyumbu took 5/78.

Easterns were all out for 200, while at stumps on day 1 Westerns are 1/16. Freedom Takarusenga, currently 11 not out, will be the key for Westerns if they are to build any sort of lead in the first innings. Chris Mpofu the nightwatchman is on 1 not out.