Taibu misses out on hundred

Matabeleland 16 for 2 trail Mashonaland 328 (Taibu 91, Samunderu 67, Chigumbura 50) by 312 runs
Scorecard

Mashonaland's captain Tatenda Taibu fell nine runs short of his third first-class century as the defending Logan Cup champions recovered from an early batting collapse to remain in control of proceedings on the first day of their match against Matabeleland at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.

Taibu scored 91 from 207 balls and had support from Kudakwashe Samunderu (67), on his debut, and Elton Chigumbura (50) as Mashonaland posted 328 in 93.1 overs after winning the toss. Matabeleland closed on 16 for 2.

Mashonaland had been in early trouble. Brendan Taylor was caught behind off Mluleki Nkala in the fourth over with only five runs on the board. That became 29 for 2 when Barney Rogers edged Tawanda Mupariwa to Wisdom Siziba for 3, before Bernard Mlambo, the other opener, fell for 16 in exactly the same way.

The Matabeleland bowlers continued to exert pressure as Mashonaland lost their fourth wicket on 65 when Chamunorwa Chibhabha heaved skywards a delivery from Nkala, who had all the time he needed to take the catch.

Chigumbura and Taibu consolidated in a fifth-wicket stand of 69 before Chigumbura departed just after reaching his half-century; he was caught by Gavin Ewing off the left-arm spinner Keith Dabengwa. Tafadzwa Mufambisi followed him back to the dressing-room when he played and missed at one from Dabengwa and was bowled for 9.

Samunderu was more cautious, and together with Taibu, put on 135 for the seventh wicket, with both playing some beautiful strokes. Mupariwa eventually ended the partnership when he had Samunderu caught in the gully by Mabuza, before going on to claim two wickets in one over when he had Taibu caught by Gregory Strydom in the slips and trapped Douglas Hondo leg-before for a duck.

In reply, Matabeleland lost Siziba in the third over when he was bowled by Hondo for 2 - the ball hit him on the thigh before it bounced off his boot and went on to hit the stumps. And Sean Williams had made only 6 before he was leg-before to Waddington Mwayenga.