Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

In the dog end of this competition but realised I'm clogging up the Zimbabwe international thread with posts about this tournament.

The fantastically named Joylord Gumbie got a century today as second place Mountaineers look strong at 267-2 against top of the table Mashonaland. Gumbie is 127* overnight.

After being totally dominated with the bat yesterday, Mashonaland managed to grasp it back a bit today but still have a huge mountain to climb.

Overnight Mountaineers were 267-2 and were all out for 464 - this was largely thanks to a much improved performance from Tony Munyonga; although his figures of 5-99 are eye-watering.

Mashonaland are going to struggle to reach the follow on as it stands - they reached stumps on 92-3.

This is turning into an embarrassment for the Mashonaland batmsen as they are being humilated vs the Mountaineers.

92-3 overnight. they were all out for 162. When asked to follow on it is only a stoic ninth wicket partnership of 60 that has taken them to stumps on 182-8.

Despite 8 of the Mashonaland batsmen batting twice in the day their highest individual score was 50 (Two scores of 25.) In terms of bowlers, Victor Nyauchi has a fivefer for the day - 2 in the first innings and 3 in the second.

The game will be finished by the time I wake up in the morning.

Mashonaland hung on a little longer than expected - 23 runs and 5 overs - but it was easy work for the Mountaineers to claim their victory.

Victor Nyauchi got his fourth wicket of the second innings to take his match figures to 6-75.

Probably one of my favourite domestic competitions started last week as the Eagles beat the Mountaineers.

In the second round of fixtures, the first day of Rhinos vs Tuskers only managed 11.5 overs due to rain but the Rhinos made it a fair fight as they declared on 245-8 which has allowed the Tuskers to nearly match their score at the end of Day Two. They went to stumps on 205-5. John Nyumbu was the star for Tuskers as he got 4-45.

This game was always going to struggle to be completed and all Tuskers needed to stay in the game was a decent innings from one player. Milton Shumba provided this by batting out 158 balls for a score of 79. Tuskers put on 333 and Rhinos had 44 overs of batting practice as the draw loomed.

Eagles beat Mountaineers in the other fixture.

Shane Snater is having a good game for the Rocks against the Tuskers this week. 5-45 in the first innings and 2-13 in 6 overs of the second.

The Rocks have also followed through with the bat with a first innings lead of 162 thanks to 72 from Richmond Mutumbami.

It was an overall powerhouse bowling performance from the Rocks as Tendai Chisoro joined in the fun today. Tuskers got a respectable 204 in their second dig but such was the Rocks supremacy they only needed 43 to win - they managed this for no loss of wicket.

The Eagles vs Rhinos match was a draw meaning that the Eagles top the table with a win and a draw with the Rocks with 1 win in 1 game.

Zimbabwe's confusing domestic scene which has a sabbatical built into it became even more confusing this year as some games were cancelled due to a Zimbabwean lockdown meaning that some teams have played just a solitary game.

It is even more confusing this year as some games were cancelled due to a Zimbabwean lockdown meaning that some teams have played just a solitary game.

As it stands the Mountaineers versus the Tuskers is a bottom of the table clash however the Mountaineers put on a strong batting display on Day One. They finished on 318-6. Their best batsmen was one to watch in terms of young Zimbabwean talent; Deon Myers got 86 runs today.

Seems like it is a match for the batsmen in Harare.

After Mountaineers posted 433, the Tuskers have raced to 250-4 thanks to Peter Moor's 58 ball 73.

This game looks like it is destined for Draws-ville.

The fantastically named Joylord Gumbie gave Mountaineers the impetus today as they forced their lead over the Tuskers to 275 at stumps.

After the bowlers for Tuskers out for 313, the Mountaineers are 155-6. A few quick runs in the morning and a declaration *could* make this interesting.

The Mountaineers were hoping for quick runs - but instead got quickly dismissed for just 181.

It gave the Tuskers a hint of a chance - especially with Peter Moor in good form again. He got 85 off 119 but couldn't get more as the game petered out to a draw.

In the other game the Rocks beat the Rhinos to take their lead at athe top of the table to 5 points. The Tuskers are third with the Mountaineers bottom.

Brandon Mavuta failed to impress in the games against Afghanistan but went back to strong domestic form as he got 4 wickets today (albeit whilst leaking 125 runs). All in all the Mountaineers will be the happier side from Day One as they go to stumps on 263-8.

I do enjoy a game where both teams have batted the totality of their innings by the end of Day Two...and this one couldn't be more perfectly poised.

After the Mountaineers posted 290, the Rhinos got to within four runs before being all out themselves.

Tony Munyonga's figures of 11-3-35-4 was the highlight for the Mountaineers as he helped topple the Rhinos from what looked like a decent total when they were 228-5. They then lost their last 5 cheaply thanks to the newly anointed international bowler.

If I like a game where the second innings is over at the end of Day Two...imagine how I feel about a day where the third innings is over at the end of Day Three.

Rhinos have a total of 370 to overhaul on the last day. The Mountaineers lead is that impressive due to Timycen Maruma's better than run a ball 143 on the way to the total of 366.

Mountaineers are favourites but stranger things have happened.