Tuskers – 242 and 109-8 in 48 overs (Ainsley Ndlovu 23, Tanatswa Bechani 23*, Tafara Mupariwa 12; Roy Kaia 3/24, Takudzwa Chataira 2/23, Tafara Chingwara 2/28)
Southern Rocks – 209 all out in 73.1 overs (Roy Kaia 63, Panashe Taruvinga 51, Tafadzwa Tsiga 37; Ernest Masuku 6/40, Ainsley Ndlovu 2/31, Mgcini Dube 1/28)
Some incisive bowling by Roy Kaia for Southern Rocks set Tuskers back on their heels on Tuesday afternoon in the short spell of play that was possible.
Rain and then a wet outfield delayed the start of day three of this Logan Cup match until late in the afternoon at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Tuskers had already made a poor start to their second innings and were 36 for three overnight.
When play finally resumed, Kaia struck almost immediately, removing two more batters in quick succession as three wickets tumbled for just seven runs, leaving them reeling at 43 for six.
Tanatswa Bechani, with a dogged 23 not out, and Ainsley Ndlovu, who also made 23, mounted a minor recovery, but the damage had been done.
By stumps, Tuskers had limped to 109 for eight, a lead of 142, with Kaia finishing as the chief destroyer.
Rhinos – 274 and 236-8 in 67 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 92, Villan Changa 32, Victor Chirwa 29; Alex Falao 3/49, Ryan Simbi 2/77, Faraz Akram 1/19)
Eagles – 155 all out in 81.1 overs (Craig Ervine 38, Alex Falao 38, Kundai Matigimu 30; Victor Chirwa 3/10, Hendricks Macheke 3/20, Antum Naqvi 3/51)
Day 3 – Stumps: Rhinos lead by 355 runs
A fine innings of 92 by Nyasha Mayavo helped Rhinos build a commanding lead of 355 runs over Eagles at Kwekwe Sports Club on Tuesday.
The day began with Eagles on 123 for nine in their first innings, still two runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
Some determined batting by Alex Falao, with 38, and Ryan Simbi, unbeaten on eight, took the total to 155, their last-wicket partnership of 42 the highest of the innings.
There were three wickets each for Hendricks Macheke, Antum Naqvi and Victor Chirwa, the latter returning remarkable figures of three for 10 off 18 overs.
Rhinos went in again with a lead of 119, but none of their first four batters managed more than 15, and the fourth wicket fell at 61.
The slide was halted by Villan Changa and Mayavo, who took the score to 131 before Changa was out for 32.
Chirwa then played another valuable hand, scoring 29 and adding 70 with Mayavo for the sixth wicket.
Mayavo’s excellent innings ended on 92, just before the close, when he was caught and bowled by Falao, having faced 140 balls and struck 10 fours.
Rhinos closed on 236 for eight, setting themselves up strongly for victory on the fourth and final day.
