HARARE – Despite a fine fighting century from Dion Myers, well assisted by Tony Munyonga, Canada recovered from their loss in the first one-day match in this series to beat Zimbabwe ‘A’ by four wickets at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
The home side never fully recovered from their shaky start when they decided to bat first. Matthew Welch (3) and Tanunurwa Makoni (2) were both dismissed for 10 runs on the board. Antum Naqvi scored only 10 runs this time, while Timycen Maruma (6) and Nyasha Mayavo (9) also did not stay long, the fifth wicket falling at 97 in the 24th over. Most of the runs so far had been scored by the magnificent Myers, and he finally found the partner he deserved in Munyonga.
Myers continued to play steadily, while Munyonga took a more aggressive role, and they added 123 for the sixth wicket in 21 overs. Myers was finally out at 220 in the 45th over, just after reaching three figures – he hit one six and nine fours, having faced 132 balls.
Munyonga followed at 251 for seven, having scored 91 off only 77 balls, with two sixes and nine fours. Only Luke Jongwe of the later batters did much, with 17 off 12 balls, and the innings closed on 265 for nine wickets.
The pace bowler Jatinderpal Matharu was the most successful Canadian bowler, taking three of the first four wickets to fall and finishing with four for 49. In reply, the tourists handled the Zimbabwe ‘A’ bowling well from the start. Yuvraj Samra and Navneet Dhaliwal put together an opening partnership of 66 before the latter was run out by a direct hit from Jongwe for 26.
Pargat Singh made a useful 21, the second wicket falling at 115 in the 26th over. Samra stayed until 183 for three, when he was out for 80, scored off 98 balls. Nicholas Kirton was now in full flow and his excellent aggressive innings made sure of Canada’s victory.
He flogged the bowling to the tune of 84 off 57 balls with five sixes and five fours, to be fourth out at 249 in the 42nd over.
Jongwe pinched two more wickets before Dilon Heyliger came in and hit him for six from the second ball he faced to end the match with 31 balls to spare. Jongwe was the most successful bowler with two wickets for 44 runs, while Tapiwa Mufudza took two for 59.
The final one-day match this Saturday will be decisive for the series. – ZimCricket
