Tuskers win Logan Cup despite defeat

Despite losing by six wickets to Southern Rocks, Matabeleland Tuskers finished as Logan Cup champions through a two-point margin over second place Mountaineers.

The Tuskers were put into bat, but struggled to put together substantial partnerships. Tawanda Mupariwa was rewarded for an excellent line: he bowled four batsmen and trapped another lbw. At one point the Tuskers were 36 for 6, and then they lost three wickets on 67 before finishing with 86 in the first innings. Mupariwa had best figures of 5 for 26.

The Rocks also lost wickets at regular intervals in their first innings, but managed a significant lead. They were dismissed for 210, through economical bowling efforts from Keith Dabenga, who took 3 for 20, John Nyumbu who took 2 for 38, and Thabo Mboyi's 2 for 24.

Matabeleland did markedly better in their second innings, but were unable to put enough runs on the board to set a challenging target. They were dismissed for 199. Charles Coventry's 61 off 50 balls was not enough as Cuthbert Musoko's 4 for 44 and Trevor Garwe's 4 for 64 limited Tuskers' lead to 76. Despite a few hiccups, Rocks were able to chase their target and win the game by six wickets on the third day.