Taylor, Chakabva score big in draw

Mid West Rhinos 296 (Taylor 102, Vitori 4-67) and 280 for 5 (Taylor 150*) drew with Mashonaland Eagles 545 for 7 dec (Chakabva 240)
Scorecard

Brendan Taylor struck centuries in both innings and Regis Chakabva scored a career-best 240 as Mid West Rhinos and Mashonaland Eagles collected two points each in the opening match of the Logan Cup in Harare. Even though Eagles took a massive 249-run lead in the first innings, the Rhinos fought back through an unbeaten 150 from Taylor to draw the match.

Rhinos had been dismissed for 296 in the first innings after they had only one strong partnership - between Taylor and Malcolm Waller (74) - of 151. No other batsman passed 30 as Brian Vitori claimed 4 for 67. The Eagles replied with a double-hundred from Chakabva and strong contributions from Mark Vermeulen (99), Sikandar Raza (73) and Elton Chigumbura (55) before declaring on 545 for 7.

The Rhinos were in trouble at 21 for 2 in the second innings but another hundred from Taylor saved them from a defeat on the last day, as they ended on 280 for 5.

Matabeleland Tuskers 284 (Chari 63, Mamhiyo 62, Kamungozi 3-60) and 131 for 4 (Dabengwa 53) drew with Southern Rocks 246 (Panyangara 89, Mupariwa 5-46)
Scorecard

Matabeleland Tuskers and Southern Rocks picked up two points each from a drab draw in Masvingo. Six batsmen scored fifties and 24 wickets fell over three days after the Tuskers chose to bat. Only two balls were possible on a final day marred by rain.

The Tuskers got a strong start from openers Brian Chari (63) and Bornaparte Mujuru (54) but the rest of the batsmen failed to capitalise. From 79 for 0 they slipped to 178 for 6 before No. 7 Godwill Mamhiyo rescued them with a 62 to take them to 284.

The Rocks were jolted early and were reeling at 25 for 3. Middle-order batsmen Prince Masvaure (37) Richmond Mutumbami (52) revived them with a stand of 49 and Mutumbami then put on 45 with Ryan Bezuidenhout before they became 135 for 6. No. 8 Tinashe Panyangara's career-best 89 took Rocks close to 250 but Tawanda Mupariwa took 5 for 46 to restrict them to 246.

The Tuskers were 131 for 4 with the help of a fifty from Keith Dabengwa when the match ended in a draw.