by The Professor » Thu Dec 15, 2022 4:45 pm
The pick of this week’s round of matches came from table-topping Mashonaland versus winless Mountaineers.
The Mashonaland bowlers started the game well and Tanaka Chivange was the most impressive of the crop as he scored the tournament’s fifth fiver – leaking 63 runs in the process. Chasing the Mountaineers 329 in the first innings, Craig Ervine was the difference as his 93 runs saw them take a first innings lead of 24 runs. Craig Ervine continues his great performances with the bat as the Mashonaland man now has 377 runs at an average of 125.66.
Last year’s breakout sensation, Ben Compton, then took the game by the scruff of the neck and bagged the tournament’s highest score. His 154 was instrumental to the Mountaineers second innings total of 345.
As is often the case in run heavy games, it meandered into a draw that keeps Mashonaland in top spot and lifts Mountaineers off the bottom.
In the other fixture, Matabeleland beat the Mid West Rhinos, thanks to Sean Williams who is having a great season with both bat and ball – it is however as a bowler that he is catching the eye the most. His 6 wickets in this match sees him on 17 wickets @ 14.41 – 3 more than second place who has played a game more than he has.
The final round before the Christmas break starts on Saturday.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."