Taylor propels Northerns to series win

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on May 16, 2008

Northerns have won the 2007-08 Logan Cup, the 107th edition, with an innings victory over Centrals. Zimbabwe national team star Brendan Taylor and domestic newcomer Ishmael Senzere each scored first innings centuries to take Northerns to an imposing lead of 493.

Rising star, Alois Tichana, who made his debut during Mashonaland's infamous 2006 Faithwear series campaign, further impressed the selectors with an important 66 in a 193 run opening partnership with Senzere. His wicket saw number three Brendan Taylor walk to the crease. Senzere fell at 2/248 for a score of 131 from 265 balls, his maiden First Class century. Taylor and Northerns captain Elton Chigumbura put on 99 runs together, 58 of which came from the bat of Chigumbura, whose knock included 7 fours and a six.

Several failures from Prince Masvaure (4), Sammy Mwakayeni (0) and Graeme Cremer (0) saw Northerns lose quick wickets, and at 6/378, national team spin king Raymond Price joined Brendan Taylor. Price went berserk, and clobbered 52 from 46 balls, to raise his ninth First Class fifty.

Chigumbura declared the innings at 7/493 once Brendan Taylor had reached his 150. Taylor scored 150 runs, including 19 fours and 2 sixes, at a blistering strike rate of 82.41.

Of the Centrals bowlers, only Michael Chinouya took multiple wickets (Chigumbura and Masvaure, plus the run out of Mwakaweni), with 2/67. Ed Rainsford, Centrals most prominent bowler, took 1/94 (the wicket of Cremer).

Centrals struggled with the bat, with no player going on to make a big score. Eric Chauluka and Malcolm Waller scored 25 and 27 each, while Solomon Mire reached 42 not out. Admire Manyumwa took 3/24, while Ray Price and Trevor Garwe each took 2 wickets. With 22 wickets for the series, Ray Price is likely to be the tournaments leading wicket taker.

Following on, Centrals fared only a little better in their second innings, with 5 players reaching 30 or more. Simbarashe Prince Gupo and wicket keeper Innocent Chikunya each scored 35. Trevor Garwe (with 3/51), Graeme Cremer (3/55) and Raymond Price (2/41) each took multiple wickets. Centrals were bundled out for 237 runs, 5 of which came when the ball hit the helmet behind the wicket keeper.

Brendan Taylor was awarded the man of the match award in the innings and 98 run victory.

In the other match of the round, in Bulawayo, Southerns recorded their first win for the series, defeating Westerns. Impressive batting performances came from Bradley Staddon (48 and 64), Richmond Mutambami (64) and Chamu Chibhabha (73 not out). Hilary Matanga took 4/36 and 2/60, winning the man of the match award. 18 year old Brian Vitalis Vitori again proved to be a good pickup for the Southerns, taking 2 cheap wickets.