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Maruma, Mustard tons set up innings win

Phil Mustard began his first-class stint with Mountaineers with a century to help set up an innings win against Southern Rocks in Mutare. Mustard - the Durham wicketkeeper who has played limited-overs matches for England - hit a 115-ball 105 to help his side to a healthy 467 along with his captain Timycen Maruma who made 149, enough to ensure they batted just once. When Rocks were bowled out for 207 on the penultimate day, they were 114 short of making the opposition bat again.

Rocks collapsed to 146 on the first day to the Mountaineers seamers, led by Tendai Chatara's 3 for 50. No.11 Taurai Muzarabani's 24 was the top score of the innings. Mustard and Tino Mawoyo all but matched Rocks' first-innings effort, adding 142 upfront. Mawoyo made 53 before he was run-out. Maruma ensured that his side never let go of the initiative. He added 199 with Prosper Utseya, who made 94. Faced with a huge deficit, Rocks only did marginally better than their first-innings effort. Roy Kaia managed 69, but he was the only batsman in his side to muster a fifty. Natsai Mushangwe was the most effective bowler, taking 3 for 65.

Some solid batting from both sides ensured the Mid West Rhinos v Matabeleland Tuskers match, in Bulawayo, ended in a draw. The result keeps Tuskers at the top of the Logan Cup points table, while Rhinos are stuck at No. 4 - the second-to-last spot.

Rhinos chose to bat and were set-up by a patient 197 from Riki Wessels. This was Wessels' 10th first-class and highest score. Captain Gary Ballance got 62 to finish as the innings second-highest scorer, and declared with the score on 407 for 9. Glen Querl picked up his third five-for in as many first-class games, to finish with the best figures for Matabeleland.

In their first innings, Matabeleland got 320 for 5 before declaring. Their innings was steered by half-centuries from Terry Duffin, Craig Ervine, Adam Wheater and Steven Trenchard. Tuskers, in a bid to force a result, score their second-innings runs at a quick pace - 4.78 runs an over. They looked in a bit of trouble at 49 for 4, but Wessels and Roland Benade both made unbeaten 80s to take them to 220 for four, declared.

With a target of 308 in little over 50 overs, Matabeleland were set-back early. They lost Duffin for a duck, and then played out time for the draw.

Tuskers 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st3T DuffinPJ Horton
2nd88GM EwingPJ Horton
3rd51PJ HortonCR Ervine