Taylor fifty leads Rhinos to tight win

A quick fifty by Mid West Rhinos captain Brendon Taylor helped his team to a tight three-wicket win against Southern Rocks in Zimbabwe's Domestic Twenty20 Competition in Masvingo.

Chasing 147, Rhinos were going slow for the major part of the innings, and at 55 for 3 in the 11th over, the required run rate had jumped to 10 per over. Taylor then quickened the scoring rate, and brought his team back into the contest with a 20-run 14th over. As he was caught behind in the 16th over for 54, Rhinos needed 40 off 26 balls. Frantic scoring from the lower-middle order secured victory for them with one ball remaining.

The Southern Rocks' innings was based on a fifty by 21-year-old opener Ben Slater. He batted till the 19th over, scoring 57 off 51 balls. He added 74 runs off 8.4 overs with No. 4 Peter Burgoyne to take them to a strong 93 for 3, before Burgoyne departed at the end of the 13th over. Three handy partnerships took them to 146 for 5, which ultimately wasn't enough for a win. Fast bowler Michael Chinouya took three wickets.

Seamer Curthbert Musoko made his Twenty20 debut, taking two wickets for Southern Rocks.