An all-round show from the Matabeleland Tuskers carried them to a convincing win over the Mountaineers in the first round of the matches of the MetBank Pro50 Championship at the Mutare Sports Club.
After being sent in to bat, Tuskers got off to a wobbly start losing three wickets with 52 runs of the board. However a 61-run third-wicket partnership between Craig Ervine and Keith Dabengwa steadied the innings. Ervine was dismissed for 47, but Dabengwa, who remained unbeaten on 82, combined with No. 7 Keegan Meth (43*) to put on an unbroken 108-run stand that lifted Tuskers to a solid 240 for 5.
In reply, the Mountaineers' batsmen never got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Only Masakadza, batting at No. 8, managed to get into the twenties as they were bowled out for 109 in just under 34 overs. Chris Mpofu and Meth did the damage, picking up four wickets apiece as Tuskers registered a comfortable 131-run win.
In a rain-affected match at the Masvingo Sports Club, Mashonaland Eagles beat Southern Rocks by six wickets (D/L method).
The match was reduced to 40 overs after rain stopped play just 2.1 into the Rocks innings. Three of their batsmen got into the twenties while Mark Vermeulen top scored with 41, but none of them went on to make a big score as they were restricted to 186 for 8. Nathan Waller and Mark Mbofana picked up two wickets apiece.
Eagles lost Sikandar Raza in the second over but Forster Mutizwa, unbeaten on 73, and Stuart Matsikenyeri (26) and Mbofana (24*) ensured there were no further alarms as Eagles reached the target with 13 balls to spare.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Monday, 19 September 2011
ZIM LOSE T20 SERIES
Pakistan completed a clean sweep of Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game, with a victory in the second Twenty20 in an exciting, last-ball finish in Harare. Zimbabwe's chase - thanks to controlled bowling from Pakistan - did not have any momentum until the final over, when Tatenda Taibu attacked.
With 20 runs required off six balls, Taibu smacked the first delivery for a six over long-on to set the tone for a fighting finish. His feisty running ensured two runs off each of the next four deliveries and left him with six to get off the last ball. Sohail Khan held his nerve and bowled a low, full toss wide outside off stump. Taibu had backed away to the leg side and was not even able to play a shot. It brought an anti-climatic end to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to get too big for them, when it should not have.
Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha began with the right intent, Sibanda opening the innings with a gorgeously straight drive for four. They scored a boundary off each of the first four overs but did not rotate the strike enough, and the required run-rate rose. Chibhabha tried to break the shackles when Saeed Ajmal came on, looking to loft over long on, but was caught by a backpedalling Yasir Shah outside the circle.
Ajmal's opening wicket maiden put the brakes on Zimbabwe's chase and they stayed on until the final over. Sibanda frustration grew and he was dismissed by a good Hafeez catch at point while attempting a big hit. Hafeez's Midas touch with both bat and ball was evident and he bowled Cephas Zhuwao with a straight delivery. He also claimed the wickets of Hamilton Maskadza, who gifted him a catch in his follow through, and Brendan Taylor, who was caught by Misbah-ul-Haq at midwicket.
With Zimbabwe's chase unravelling, big-hitting Charles Coventry flung his bat at the first three Junaid Khan deliveries he faced. Two of them went for four and the third he bottom-edged onto his stumps. Elton Chigumbura was able to play a few forceful shots, driving down the ground and pulling with relative ease, but was bogged down by bowling that was too good for him to smash out of the ground.
Pakistan's bowlers did not panic, even when it went down to the last over. Taibu had to marshal both Prosper Utseya and himself but in the end, Sohail had the final say.
Zimbabwe, however, had put on an improved display in the field, bowled better lengths and took all the catches they were offered to keep Pakistan to under 150. Taylor was innovative with his bowling changes and, after opening with a spinner, introduced Chibhabha in the third over. Chibhabha struck when Asad Shafiq tried to launch a length ball for six but was caught by Chigumbura at long-on.
Two balls later, Rameez Raja was caught at short fine leg. Kyle Jarvis, who bowled better lengths than he did in the previous couple of matches, banged in a short ball and Raja, late on the pull, and gifted Ray Price a simple catch. The hosts inflicted a third early wound on Pakistan when Shoaib Malik was caught behind off Chigumbura, after slashing at wide delivery.
Hafeez rode the tide and played another important innings, targeting the spinners in particular. While Hafeez was at the crease, Umar Akmal could afford to be watchful, especially against Chigumbura, who bowled a controlled spell dotted with slower balls. Price eventually got Hafeez, who lofted towards long-on but just did not have enough on it to clear the boundary.
Hafeez's departure resulted in the runs, and more importantly, the boundaries drying up and Pakistan only scored 36 runs in the last five overs. Akmal was run out returning for a second, caught well short of his crease by a Chigumbura throw, and big-hitting Tanvir was bowled by Jarvis. Jarvis was solid at the death and made good use of yorkers, a delivery he is close to perfecting.
With 20 runs required off six balls, Taibu smacked the first delivery for a six over long-on to set the tone for a fighting finish. His feisty running ensured two runs off each of the next four deliveries and left him with six to get off the last ball. Sohail Khan held his nerve and bowled a low, full toss wide outside off stump. Taibu had backed away to the leg side and was not even able to play a shot. It brought an anti-climatic end to a chase that Zimbabwe allowed to get too big for them, when it should not have.
Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha began with the right intent, Sibanda opening the innings with a gorgeously straight drive for four. They scored a boundary off each of the first four overs but did not rotate the strike enough, and the required run-rate rose. Chibhabha tried to break the shackles when Saeed Ajmal came on, looking to loft over long on, but was caught by a backpedalling Yasir Shah outside the circle.
Ajmal's opening wicket maiden put the brakes on Zimbabwe's chase and they stayed on until the final over. Sibanda frustration grew and he was dismissed by a good Hafeez catch at point while attempting a big hit. Hafeez's Midas touch with both bat and ball was evident and he bowled Cephas Zhuwao with a straight delivery. He also claimed the wickets of Hamilton Maskadza, who gifted him a catch in his follow through, and Brendan Taylor, who was caught by Misbah-ul-Haq at midwicket.
With Zimbabwe's chase unravelling, big-hitting Charles Coventry flung his bat at the first three Junaid Khan deliveries he faced. Two of them went for four and the third he bottom-edged onto his stumps. Elton Chigumbura was able to play a few forceful shots, driving down the ground and pulling with relative ease, but was bogged down by bowling that was too good for him to smash out of the ground.
Pakistan's bowlers did not panic, even when it went down to the last over. Taibu had to marshal both Prosper Utseya and himself but in the end, Sohail had the final say.
Zimbabwe, however, had put on an improved display in the field, bowled better lengths and took all the catches they were offered to keep Pakistan to under 150. Taylor was innovative with his bowling changes and, after opening with a spinner, introduced Chibhabha in the third over. Chibhabha struck when Asad Shafiq tried to launch a length ball for six but was caught by Chigumbura at long-on.
Two balls later, Rameez Raja was caught at short fine leg. Kyle Jarvis, who bowled better lengths than he did in the previous couple of matches, banged in a short ball and Raja, late on the pull, and gifted Ray Price a simple catch. The hosts inflicted a third early wound on Pakistan when Shoaib Malik was caught behind off Chigumbura, after slashing at wide delivery.
Hafeez rode the tide and played another important innings, targeting the spinners in particular. While Hafeez was at the crease, Umar Akmal could afford to be watchful, especially against Chigumbura, who bowled a controlled spell dotted with slower balls. Price eventually got Hafeez, who lofted towards long-on but just did not have enough on it to clear the boundary.
Hafeez's departure resulted in the runs, and more importantly, the boundaries drying up and Pakistan only scored 36 runs in the last five overs. Akmal was run out returning for a second, caught well short of his crease by a Chigumbura throw, and big-hitting Tanvir was bowled by Jarvis. Jarvis was solid at the death and made good use of yorkers, a delivery he is close to perfecting.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
TROTT GETS CRICKETER OF THE YEAR
England batsman,Jonathan Trott has been named the Cricketer of the Year for 2011, the ICC's top accolade. He received the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy at the annual ceremony in London, after his team-mate Alastair Cook had won the Test Cricketer of the Year award.
"It's fantastic to be part of a successful team and I never envisaged winning this award. It's a brilliant feeling to be recognised," Trott said.
In 12 Tests during the period under consideration, Trott scored 1042 runs at an average of 65.12, including four centuries and three half-centuries. He also played 24 ODIs, scoring 1064 runs at an average of 48.36 with two centuries and nine 50s. Trott was chosen for the award ahead of Cook, last-year's winner Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa batsman Hashim Amla.
Previous winners of the Cricketer of the Year award include Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff and Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson (2009) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010).
Cook, however, won the Test Cricketer award after having a prolific year in the format. Cook played 12 Tests, and in 18 innings he scored 1302 runs at an average of 51.74, including six centuries and four half-centuries. His 235 not out against Australia in Brisbane kick-started England's first Ashes victory away from home since 1986-87.
Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain, was the only player to win two awards on the night. He was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year and also picked up the People's Choice Award. Sangakkara scored 1049 runs at an average of 55.21 in 25 ODIs. He also had 26 catches and 10 stumpings as wicketkeeper and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.
Though India spent most of the period under consideration at No. 1 in the Test rankings, and won the 2011 World Cup, their only award winner was the captain MS Dhoni, who was given the Spirit of Cricket accolade. Dhoni was not present at the ceremony despite being in England.
The ICC chose West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo, ahead of other nominees Darren Bravo, Wahab Riaz and Azhar Ali, for the Emerging Player Award. Bishoo, 25, played five Tests in the voting period and took 21 wickets at an average of 35.42. He also picked up 19 wickets at 21.57 each in 11 ODIs.
Ryan ten Doeschate, the Netherlands allrounder, was named the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the third time in four years, and for the second year running. ten Doeschate was chosen ahead of Afghanistan allrounder Hamid Hassan, and the Irish duo of Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien, both centurions in the 2011 World Cup.
New Zealand seamer Tim Southee won the award for Twenty20 International Performance of the Year, for his spell of 5 for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland.
Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd trophy for the Umpire of the Year for the third consecutive time. He beat competition from Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time winner Simon Taufel.
Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies women's allrounder, was named the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.
"It's fantastic to be part of a successful team and I never envisaged winning this award. It's a brilliant feeling to be recognised," Trott said.
In 12 Tests during the period under consideration, Trott scored 1042 runs at an average of 65.12, including four centuries and three half-centuries. He also played 24 ODIs, scoring 1064 runs at an average of 48.36 with two centuries and nine 50s. Trott was chosen for the award ahead of Cook, last-year's winner Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa batsman Hashim Amla.
Previous winners of the Cricketer of the Year award include Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff and Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008), Mitchell Johnson (2009) and Sachin Tendulkar (2010).
Cook, however, won the Test Cricketer award after having a prolific year in the format. Cook played 12 Tests, and in 18 innings he scored 1302 runs at an average of 51.74, including six centuries and four half-centuries. His 235 not out against Australia in Brisbane kick-started England's first Ashes victory away from home since 1986-87.
Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain, was the only player to win two awards on the night. He was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year and also picked up the People's Choice Award. Sangakkara scored 1049 runs at an average of 55.21 in 25 ODIs. He also had 26 catches and 10 stumpings as wicketkeeper and led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2011 World Cup.
Though India spent most of the period under consideration at No. 1 in the Test rankings, and won the 2011 World Cup, their only award winner was the captain MS Dhoni, who was given the Spirit of Cricket accolade. Dhoni was not present at the ceremony despite being in England.
The ICC chose West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo, ahead of other nominees Darren Bravo, Wahab Riaz and Azhar Ali, for the Emerging Player Award. Bishoo, 25, played five Tests in the voting period and took 21 wickets at an average of 35.42. He also picked up 19 wickets at 21.57 each in 11 ODIs.
Ryan ten Doeschate, the Netherlands allrounder, was named the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the third time in four years, and for the second year running. ten Doeschate was chosen ahead of Afghanistan allrounder Hamid Hassan, and the Irish duo of Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien, both centurions in the 2011 World Cup.
New Zealand seamer Tim Southee won the award for Twenty20 International Performance of the Year, for his spell of 5 for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland.
Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar has won the David Shepherd trophy for the Umpire of the Year for the third consecutive time. He beat competition from Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time winner Simon Taufel.
Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies women's allrounder, was named the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
DROPPED CATCHES COST US BUTCHER
Zimbabwe's coach, Alan Butcher, singled out dropped catches as the reason for his team squandering their chance of being competitive in the latter stages of the Test against Pakistan. Zimbabwe dropped six catches in Pakistan's first innings and conceded a lead of 54 runs, after they had scored an impressive 412 themselves.
"Catching probably cost us a chance of winning," Butcher said. "We had every reason to believe that we would get a first-innings lead." Mohammad Hafeez, who was Pakistan's only centurion, was dropped twice, while Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Umar Akmal were also put down. The bulk of the missed chances were relatively simple and Brendan Taylor said the team felt a general "frustration" at not taking their opportunities.
They were less hard on themselves for the batting collapse in the second innings, which resulted in Pakistan being given a small target to chase. "On this wicket there was always potential for a collapse," Butcher said. "[Saeed] Ajmal will cause better teams than ours some problems but we were disappointed to lose so many wickets to Hafeez in the second innings, because we thought he didn't spin it that much."
Hafeez took four middle- and lower-order wickets after Ajmal had bagged three, with Aizaz Cheema chipping in with one. After slumping 69 for 8 on the fourth day, defeat appeared certain for Zimbabwe, but Tatenda Taibu's stubborn half-century gave them slim hope of posting a defendable total. "We wanted to try and bat a session, bat some time out of the game and then chip away and build a lead," Taylor said. "We knew anything could happen given their [Pakistan's] history."
For a change, "anything" did not happen and Pakistan went on to record a routine victory. Zimbabwe lost by a smaller margin than the last time they played Pakistan - a 10-wicket defeat in Bulawayo in 2002 - and instead of dwell on the defeat they are opting to zone in on other aspects of their game as they look to rebuild a reputation in Test cricket.
"There are a lot of positives to take out of this," Taylor said "I wouldn't say more than the Bangladesh game, but there are definitely positives. It was good to see us bat for 150 overs." Butcher also lauded the first innings effort, in particular Tino Mawoyo's maiden Test century. "Having an opening batsman bat through an innings was good."
Ajmal proved the major threat of the match, and tested Zimbabwe right through the first innings, even when the pitch had yet to show cracks. Butcher was pleased with the way Zimbabwe tried to withstand his assault. "We said if he is going to get a lot of wickets, then we will make him bowl a lot of overs for it and we made Ajmal bowl 50 overs to get his four wickets."
The Zimbabwe bowlers had a tough time on an unresponsive strip and Taylor thought, "The spinners worked hard together and showed good character," while Butcher was impressed that, "having conceded so quickly at the start to have pulled it back was also good."
Zimbabwe's inexperienced seam attack of Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis and Chris Mpofu took a pasting, managing only four wickets between them. Vitori, the nation's wonderkid after his performances against Bangladesh, did not snag a single victim. "There were high hopes for him after Harare, he is hungry to learn," Taylor said. "He has a great attitude and he will be back."
Butcher said the unhelpful surface will only aid Vitori's development. "It took him a lot longer to find his length," he said. "He has probably been brought back down to earth after his spectacular start but it was always going to happen." While Vitori was expensive, Jarvis and Mpofu leaked a little less and Taylor said the pair could "hold their heads up high" for a brave showing.
"Catching probably cost us a chance of winning," Butcher said. "We had every reason to believe that we would get a first-innings lead." Mohammad Hafeez, who was Pakistan's only centurion, was dropped twice, while Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Umar Akmal were also put down. The bulk of the missed chances were relatively simple and Brendan Taylor said the team felt a general "frustration" at not taking their opportunities.
They were less hard on themselves for the batting collapse in the second innings, which resulted in Pakistan being given a small target to chase. "On this wicket there was always potential for a collapse," Butcher said. "[Saeed] Ajmal will cause better teams than ours some problems but we were disappointed to lose so many wickets to Hafeez in the second innings, because we thought he didn't spin it that much."
Hafeez took four middle- and lower-order wickets after Ajmal had bagged three, with Aizaz Cheema chipping in with one. After slumping 69 for 8 on the fourth day, defeat appeared certain for Zimbabwe, but Tatenda Taibu's stubborn half-century gave them slim hope of posting a defendable total. "We wanted to try and bat a session, bat some time out of the game and then chip away and build a lead," Taylor said. "We knew anything could happen given their [Pakistan's] history."
For a change, "anything" did not happen and Pakistan went on to record a routine victory. Zimbabwe lost by a smaller margin than the last time they played Pakistan - a 10-wicket defeat in Bulawayo in 2002 - and instead of dwell on the defeat they are opting to zone in on other aspects of their game as they look to rebuild a reputation in Test cricket.
"There are a lot of positives to take out of this," Taylor said "I wouldn't say more than the Bangladesh game, but there are definitely positives. It was good to see us bat for 150 overs." Butcher also lauded the first innings effort, in particular Tino Mawoyo's maiden Test century. "Having an opening batsman bat through an innings was good."
Ajmal proved the major threat of the match, and tested Zimbabwe right through the first innings, even when the pitch had yet to show cracks. Butcher was pleased with the way Zimbabwe tried to withstand his assault. "We said if he is going to get a lot of wickets, then we will make him bowl a lot of overs for it and we made Ajmal bowl 50 overs to get his four wickets."
The Zimbabwe bowlers had a tough time on an unresponsive strip and Taylor thought, "The spinners worked hard together and showed good character," while Butcher was impressed that, "having conceded so quickly at the start to have pulled it back was also good."
Zimbabwe's inexperienced seam attack of Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis and Chris Mpofu took a pasting, managing only four wickets between them. Vitori, the nation's wonderkid after his performances against Bangladesh, did not snag a single victim. "There were high hopes for him after Harare, he is hungry to learn," Taylor said. "He has a great attitude and he will be back."
Butcher said the unhelpful surface will only aid Vitori's development. "It took him a lot longer to find his length," he said. "He has probably been brought back down to earth after his spectacular start but it was always going to happen." While Vitori was expensive, Jarvis and Mpofu leaked a little less and Taylor said the pair could "hold their heads up high" for a brave showing.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
MAWOYO RESCUES ZIM
GODFREY KOTI
Tinotenda Mawoyo scored 82 runs in the one off Coca Cola Test match against Pakistan at Queens in Bulawayo. The hosts were 245 for four at the close of play on Day one.
The hosts began their first innings account with their usual opening pair of Mawoyo and Vusimuzi Sibanda. Sibanda was the most aggressive of the two as he cleared the nine times for four in the first session before eventually being stumped by wicket keeper Adnan Akmal for a well crafted 45 off 66 deliveries. He departed in the 23rd over after failing to deal with a doosra from the bowling of off spinner Saeed Ajmal. The openers had a first wicket partnership of 71 runs.
Mawoyo was joined by Hamilton Masakadza whose body language lacked signs of confidence as he struggled to get off the mark. When he eventually got off to scoring runs, the record breaker did not trouble the scorers that much as he managed eleven off 48 deliveries. He went across the line attempting to go after a turning Akmal delivery but missed the ball completely and had his middle stump knocked off.
The captain Brendon Taylor stepped up to the crease joining Mawoyo who was trading carefully through the visitors’ attack. Talyor showed glimpses of brilliance clearing the boundary two times for with well timed drives before falling cheaply to a Ajmal ball. He was trapped leg before wicket after he had offered no shot at all leaving the umpire with not much of a choice but to signal his exit , he had scored ten runs in twelve deliveries.
It was former skipper Tatenda Taibu and Mawoyo who steadied the Zimbabwean ship after that crumble of the top order. Their fourth wicket partnership yielded 65 runs off 148 balls with seven fours, six of those came courtesy of Taibu. The pint size wicket keeper eventually fell for 44 runs off 70 deliveries, he had attempted the square cut shot but was let down by his poor foot movement leaving the score on 176 for four.
Ervine came in at five and played a supporting role to Mawoyo who managed to get his fifty off the 52nd over. Ervine ended the day 38 from 80 balls after playing amazing pedal sweep shots and a couple of drives both on the on and off side.
The pick of the Pakistani bowlers was Ajmal who picked up three wickets for 75 runs in 29 overs and had six maidens. Khan who conceded 37 runs after bowling sixteen overs picked up one important wicket of Taibu.
At the close of play Zimbabwe were 245 for the loss of four wickets with Mawoyo and Ervine at the crease at 82 and 38 runs respectively. Play resumes today at 10 am.
Tinotenda Mawoyo scored 82 runs in the one off Coca Cola Test match against Pakistan at Queens in Bulawayo. The hosts were 245 for four at the close of play on Day one.
The hosts began their first innings account with their usual opening pair of Mawoyo and Vusimuzi Sibanda. Sibanda was the most aggressive of the two as he cleared the nine times for four in the first session before eventually being stumped by wicket keeper Adnan Akmal for a well crafted 45 off 66 deliveries. He departed in the 23rd over after failing to deal with a doosra from the bowling of off spinner Saeed Ajmal. The openers had a first wicket partnership of 71 runs.
Mawoyo was joined by Hamilton Masakadza whose body language lacked signs of confidence as he struggled to get off the mark. When he eventually got off to scoring runs, the record breaker did not trouble the scorers that much as he managed eleven off 48 deliveries. He went across the line attempting to go after a turning Akmal delivery but missed the ball completely and had his middle stump knocked off.
The captain Brendon Taylor stepped up to the crease joining Mawoyo who was trading carefully through the visitors’ attack. Talyor showed glimpses of brilliance clearing the boundary two times for with well timed drives before falling cheaply to a Ajmal ball. He was trapped leg before wicket after he had offered no shot at all leaving the umpire with not much of a choice but to signal his exit , he had scored ten runs in twelve deliveries.
It was former skipper Tatenda Taibu and Mawoyo who steadied the Zimbabwean ship after that crumble of the top order. Their fourth wicket partnership yielded 65 runs off 148 balls with seven fours, six of those came courtesy of Taibu. The pint size wicket keeper eventually fell for 44 runs off 70 deliveries, he had attempted the square cut shot but was let down by his poor foot movement leaving the score on 176 for four.
Ervine came in at five and played a supporting role to Mawoyo who managed to get his fifty off the 52nd over. Ervine ended the day 38 from 80 balls after playing amazing pedal sweep shots and a couple of drives both on the on and off side.
The pick of the Pakistani bowlers was Ajmal who picked up three wickets for 75 runs in 29 overs and had six maidens. Khan who conceded 37 runs after bowling sixteen overs picked up one important wicket of Taibu.
At the close of play Zimbabwe were 245 for the loss of four wickets with Mawoyo and Ervine at the crease at 82 and 38 runs respectively. Play resumes today at 10 am.
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