Tuskers crush Rocks by an innings

Matabeleland Tuskers beat Masvingo outfit Southern Rocks by an innings and 87 runs at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, in their first Logan Cup match of 2010.

Gavin Ewing, the Tuskers' new captain, won the toss and elected to field and a poor batting effort from the Rocks led to them collapsing for 149 in 56.5 overs. Alester Maregwede top scored for the visitors with 42. Captain Steve Tikolo made 33 while fellow countryman Thomas Odoyo and opener Tendai Marichi contributed 21 and 10 respectively.

Fast bowler Christopher Mpofu performed for Tuskers, claiming 3 for 31 in 14 overs while Keegan Meth took 3 for 14. Debutant Gerald Aliseni made an impression by taking 2 for 29 while star spinner John Nyumbu and Tawanda Mupariwa claimed one each.

Charles Coventry batted superbly in Tuskers' first innings, proving during his unbeaten 100 why he is among the best in Zimbabwe. Other Tuskers batsmen who impressed were Gregory Strydom (87), Dion Ebrahim (82), Ewing (71), and Sean Williams (71) as Tuskers piled up 456 for 5 before the declaration.

Rocks started their second innings on the third day and were dismissed for 220 when they needed 307 to make Tuskers bat again. There was a notable performance from Tendai Machiri, who scored 79, and Tikolo contributed 61. Rocks missed the services of batsman Eric Chauluka who was injured while fielding in the Tuskers innings.

Zimbabwe A spinner Nyumbu continued his good form from the first half of the season, claiming 4 for 29, while Mpofu took 2 for 50. Meth, Mupariwa and Strydom claimed one wicket each.

Tuskers coach Robin Brown was happy with the performance of his team."We had a good start and I only hope that this is the beginning of good things to come this half of the season," he said.