All-round Tuskers crush Rocks

Matabeleland Tuskers recorded their first win in the Logan Cup in three seasons when they beat a listless Southern Rocks by an innings and 214 runs at Masvingo. The Tuskers piled on a massive 554, boosted by Terry Duffin's century, but the Rocks in reply failed to cross 200 in both innings.

The Rocks bowlers bowled poorly on the opening day and allowed Duffin and Dion Ebrahim to score freely. The pair added 183 for the second wicket before Ebrahim fell eleven short of his century. Duffin shared another half-century stand with Keith Dabengwa - who also scored a fifty - before falling to Tendai Chisoro for 144, his highest first-class score. The opposition struggled to chip away at the wickets as the middle order contributed towards the big total. Gavin Ewing too made a half-century, and shortly after he was dismissed, the captain Greg Strydom decided to declare.

The Tuskers continued their domination, this time with the ball, as Tawanda Mupariwa sent the top order packing with a four-wicket haul. The embarrassment continued for the Rocks at 71 for 8 but Thomas Odoyo scored 35 to push the score towards 141.

Faced with a massive deficit of 413, the Rocks were asked to follow on. The top order got off to a better start, with the openers adding 52. Blessing Mahwire got a promotion in the order and took the opportunity to score a fifty. His 61 was the only significant contribution as the rest failed to convert their starts. John Nyumbu, the offspinner, took three middle-order wickets to hasten Tuskers' victory march. The Rocks were bowled out for 199 - Nyumbu took 4 for 42 - and the Tuskers bagged 32 points. The Rocks meanwhile are yet to record a win in the competition.