Taylor and Matsikenyeri click, while Chigumbura stuns Titans

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on April 12, 2008

Brendan Taylor settled back into his opening position against the Titans with 38 runs to get the innings off to a fantastic start. A 54 run stand with Keith Dabengwa (who scored 25) got Zimbabwe to 2/55 after just above 9 overs.

The run rate was on the low side, but Stuart Matsikenyeri and Taylor then put on another 54 run partnership, this one in less than 5 overs. Taylor departed, but Matsikenyeri continued to shine, and went on to score 51 from just 30 balls, before holing out off the penultimate ball of the innings.

Chamu Chibhabha played a 22 run, 18 ball cameo, to ensure Zimbabwe reached 151 for the loss of 6 from 20 overs, the teams highest Twenty20 score of the tournament.

The Titans stuttered in reply, with speedster Elton Chigumbura rattling the top order with 2 wickets in his first over. He ended with 5/13 from his 4 overs, while Prosper Utseya took 1/19 from 4, Taurai Muzarabani 1/22 from 4, Raymond Price 0/29 from 3, Cham Chibhabha 1/23 from 3, and Keith Dabengwa 1/27 from 2.

Chigumbura was named bowler of the match, while Roelof van der Merwe was the Titans star player with 3/18 from 4, and an unbeaten from 49 balls in the second innings.