Day 1: 20 November 2012, at Queens Sports Club
Close of play: Tuskers (143) v Eagles (101/5)

A 47-run stand between Christopher Mpofu and Glenn Querl rescued Tuskers from a precarious first day score in their Logan Cup match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

With Kyle Jarvis extracting a lot of bounce from the wicket, at 83 runs for eight wickets Tuskers looked unlikely to get to the 100-run mark. Enter Mpofu who recently made headlines in the local media for his first ever 100 in any form of the game. He did no harm to his growing – all be it very slowly – reputation as half a batsman, with a well constructed 23, and was involved in an important partnership with last week’s centurion, Querl (23) to take Tuskers well past the 100-run mark.

After winning the toss, Eagles captain Stuart Matsikenyeri called correctly and asked Tuskers to bat. There were clear signs of what was to come as Terrence Duffin edged the third ball of the morning and was grassed in the slips. The batsmen struggled to get going and Duffin was eventually out for three off a missive 30 balls.

Moeen Ali joined Brian Chari and they seemed to be rebuilding the Tuskers innings, but a bowling change saw lanky Nathan Waller remove Ali for 12, well caught by Sikandar Raza Butt at second slip. Wickets then tumbled as the strong Tuskers batting line up was put under severe pressure by some excellent seam bowling from the Eagles.

Four batsmen got to 23: Mpofu, Querl, Chari and Charles Coventry. For Eagles, Jarvis ended with an impressive seven wickets for 35 runs off 13.4 overs. Elton Chigumbura and Innocent Chinyoka picked up a wicket apiece.

Keegan Meth then got stuck into the Eagles batting, picking up the first four wickets to fall, leaving them at 37 for four. Querl then removed Regis Chakabva (15) and appeared well set.  The Eagles were 47 for five and Tuskers must have been dreaming of an unlikely first innings lead.
Foster Mutizwa with 31 not out and Chigumbura, also 31 not out, had other ideas. The two added an unbroken 60 for the sixth wicket and took the score past 100.

At stumps, Eagles were 107 for five in their first innings. Play will resume at 1000 hours tomorrow.