Day 2: 21 November 2012, at Queens Sports Club
Close of play: Eagles (245) v Tuskers (143 & 186/2)
Tuskers fought back on day two leaving their Logan Cup match against Eagles finely balanced, heading into day three at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The Eagles’ tail managed to wag and they posted 245 in their first innings – a healthy lead of 102.
Tuskers then batted themselves right back into contention, and what a difference a day makes! After his unplayable spell on the first day, Kyle Jarvis seemed to more often than not find the middle of the bat this time around.
Resuming on their overnight 107 runs for five wickets, Eagles got off to the worst possible start as Elton Chigumbura (36) was trapped in front by the very first ball of the morning, by Glenn Querl. Forster Mutizwa (47) hung around and looked set to take his side well into the lead. He was however bizarrely run out as he failed to return to his crease after a huge leg-before-wicket shout against him.
Former national team skipper Prosper Utseya played an accomplished innings and took the Eagles lead towards the 100 run mark. He was eventually out for 37, caught behind off a rising Christopher Mpofu delivery. Nathan Waller threatened to bat Tuskers completely out of the equation with 51 batting at number eight. His knock included two massive pull shots for six. There was also a stubborn 15 not out from number 11, Innocent Chinyoka.
Keegan Meth was the pick of the bowlers picking up five wickets, on a rapidly flattening surface.
Tuskers lost Brian Chari early in their reply. Prosper Utseya then put Moeen Ali down at slip and did he ever make them pay for that! Ali makes batting look really easy, as if he is getting under-arm throw-downs in the nets. He batted way better than a run a ball and together with Terence Duffin took Tuskers well into the lead with nine second innings wickets still intact.
The duo put on a massive 152 for the second wicket. Their partnership placed the momentum firmly with Tuskers and the Eagles shoulders began to drop. One Utseya over was taken for four fours. Having got to his 100 off just 104 balls, Ali walked past a Tinotenda Mutombodzi delivery and Regis Chakabva whipped off the bails.
The partnership At the close, Duffin was unbeaten on 63 and Craig Ervine on four. Tuskers lead by 84 runs with eight second innings wickets intact.
Play will resume at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
