Timycen Maruma and Prince Masvaure scored half-centuries while Brandon Mavuta took four wickets as the trio inspired Zimbabwe A to a 110-run Duckworth-Lewis win over Kenya in a rain-affected one-day match played at Mutare Sports Club on Wednesday.
With the victory, the hosts have gone two up in the four-match series following their resounding six-wicket win in Monday’s first game in which Cephas Zhuwao blasted 131 runs off just 52 deliveries, an amazing knock that included 13 sixes and 10 boundaries.
On Wednesday, the Harare Metropolitan Eagles big-hitter affectionately known as the Big Bully continued to show good signs in his push for a spot in Zimbabwe’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in March on home soil, hitting a quickfire 44 off 22 balls.
However, this time round the batting honours belonged to Maruma and Masvaure who scored 86 and 69 respectively to power Zimbabwe A to 299 for eight in 50 overs after the hosts were asked to bat first having lost the toss.
Ryan Murray chipped in with a valuable 45 as the middle order continued to shore up the innings.
There were two wickets apiece for the trio of Nelson Odhiambo, Emmanuel Ringera and Lucas Oluoch.
Kenya’s reply got off to a bad start and within the first five overs they were reeling at 27 for two, both wickets claimed by Brian Vitori.
Seven overs into the chase, the heavens opened up and the covers had to come out.
Play could only resume more than an hour later, with the target now revised down to 252 runs from 35 overs.
Zimbabwe A captain Masvaure did not waste time introducing the spin trio of Mavuta, Rugare Magarira and Ryan Burl who not stemmed the run flow and in the process blew out Kenya for 141.
Mavuta, with four for 45 from seven overs, was the pick of the home side’s bowlers, while Vitori also enjoyed a great outing as he finished with impressive figures of three for 24 from his seven overs.
Although he had a single wicket to his name, Magarira was the most parsimonious of the Zimbabwe A bowlers as he conceded only 14 runs in his seven overs.
The next match is scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
Zimbabwe A – 299-8 in 50 overs (Timycen Maruma 86, Prince Masvaure 69, Ryan Murray 45, Cephas Zhuwao 44; Nelson Odhiambo 2/14, Emmanuel Ringera 2/50, Lucas Oluoch 2/57)
Kenya – 141 all out in 31/35 overs (Collins Obuya 23, Alex Obanda 22, Nelson Odhiambo 20; Brandon Mavuta 4/45, Brian Vitori 3/24)
Zimbabwe A won by 110 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method)
