Waller, Taylor shine as Rhinos beat Rocks

A 135-run fifth-wicket stand between Malcolm Waller and Friday Kasteni and a surprise four-wicket haul by Brendan Taylor helped Mid West Rhinos prevail over Southern Rocks by 18 runs in Masvingo.

Rhinos, put into bat, were reduced to 67 for 4 before Waller and Kasteni added 135 in 21 overs to lift their side to a competitive 239 for 8. Malcolm - son of the former Zimbabwe player Andy Waller - made his highest List A score of 94 off 82 deliveries before falling to Blessing Mahwire, who took 3 for 40. Kasteni, who made 52, got stuck after reaching his half-century and fell to Steve Tikolo.

Rocks were in control of the chase as Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine took them to 107 for 2 in the 19th over. But once Taibu fell after making 56 off 64 deliveries, Rhinos captain Taylor - who had until then taken only 15 wickets in 147 List A games - struck telling blows with his offbreaks to dismiss Rocks for 221.