Series thread: Faithwear Inter-Provincial One Day 2008-09

Your right, a pretty disappointing start, especially the non-appearance of Williams...

On a positive note, the scorecards are coming in quickly, the game was today, and we've already got the card, much quicker turnaround than usual...

Link: http://www.zimcricket.org/faithwear/ind ... icleid=605

Article coppied from Zimbabwean cricket official website:

(Easterns vs Centrals,28th February 2009)

Mutumbami outstanding but Easterns snatch victory

CENTRALS middle order batsman Richmond Mutumbami played an outstanding innings albeit in a losing cause as Easterns took the match by three wickets at CFX Academy on Saturday in the first round of the Faithwear 2009 Series.

His swashbuckling knock of 53 off 97 balls was the best by any player on the day and it is unfortunate that the only half century of the day was not enough to cause an upset as Centrals lost a match in which they were not totally dominated.

After being sent in to bat, Centrals made 157 runs with Mutumbami and captain Chamu Chibhabha playing some good shots as they steered the innings to a respectable figure despite the fact that only four batsmen hit double figures as Hamilton Masakadza, Donald Tiripano and Timycen Maruma took two wickets each.

If Easterns thought they would have it their own way thanks to their strong line-up, they were up for a serious shock as the Chibhabha captained side took no time in removing openers Benard Mlambo and Stuart Matsikenyeri both falling to the bowling of Tendai Chisoro in quick succession. With just eight runs on the board Easterns had lost two wickets in 2.5 overs.

Captain Hamilton Masakadza came on at number 3 to repair the damage and he did just that hitting 31 from 51 balls including five boundaries before he was caught by Mutumbami off the bowling of Tafadzwa Kamungozi. Johnson Maruma was next to fall to Kamungozi when he was trapped leg before wicket offering Centrals some hope of an upset.

But Prosper Utseya (14) and Timycen Maruma (30) were aggressive slogging the bowlers while frustrating the fielders before Utseya was sent to the pavilion caught by Mutumbami off Mike Chinouya bowling.

Steven Nyamuzinga saw off Easterns with some aggressive stroke play as his 31 not out was the best knock from the otherwise strong Easterns. They reached the target with 13.1 overs to spare to take the lead on the table and with Sunday?s classic clash against rivals, Northerns at Harare Sports Club a better performance is expected from the Steven Mangongo coached side.

Now the stats are up for the tournament, can review the overall performances.

Centrals: http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomes ... tournament

Batting was lead by Chibhabha, who got the one century of the tournament. Surprising that Chinyengetere only played half the games, chalking up a match winning 70 not out in one of his two innings, especially after apparently being very successful in the club season. Young wicketkeeper Mutumbami put in some promising performances, although he faded towards the end of the tournament. Malcolm Waller's average of 22 is disappointing for someone looking to establish themselves in the national side. The performances of Chauluka and the hyped Kahiya & Chapungu were even worse, with just 1 50 between then.

With the ball, Rainsford was outstanding after recovering from injury. The young legspinners Kamungozi and Chitongo were pretty effective, as to a lesser degree was Waller's leggies. Mahwire made an unimpressive comeback with just 1 relatively expensive wicket. The seamers of Chibhabha and Chinouya leaked runs.

Easterns: http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomes ... tournament

The averages were topped by Steven Nyamuzinga, thanks to a lot of not outs, although he probably batted a little low. The same could be said of Mutizwa, who continued his lower order hitting from the Kenya tour, but was not given the opportunity to play longer innings. Bernard Mlambo was consistent at the top of the order, scoring 3 controlled 50s, whereas Matsikenyeri was as frustrating as ever, scoring a couple of punishing 50s, but then failed twice. Utseya failed to build on his promising batting from Kenya, but did look fairly solid up the order. Similarly, Timycen Maruma continued to suggest he could be a good allrounder in the future. Hamilton Masakadza was very disappointing. After looking the national team's best player for most of last year, he flopped completely, failing to get a 50. Surprise national squad member of a couple of years ago, Johnson Marumisa was even worse.

The leading bowler was promising spinner Maruma, backed up by Hamilton Masakadza's mediums which always seem handy at domestic level. His younger brother had a very disappointing tournament, leaking runs, and not picking up many wickets. Dots Utseya will also be disappointed with a economy rate of 4.8, and an average over 30. Douggie Hondo made a mixed comeback, always picking up wickets, but occasionally leaking runs as well.

Northerns: http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomes ... tournament

Batting on the whole disappointed for the pre-tournament favorites. Leading run scorer was Cephas Zhuwawo, who usually got the team off to a rapid start hitting 8 sixes in all. However, he didn't manage to go beyond 34, but may be a national team prospect for 20-20. Chigumbura averaged over 30, but batted too low. One of the best batsmen in the country shoul probably bat top 4 at this level. Cremer pushed his claim to allrounder status, as, more surprisingly, did Trevor Garwe. Pete Moore made an encouraging debut, with a positive 30. Chakabva did nothing to justify his call up to the full national side, whilst Taibu's performances (with someone else's kit??...) were laughably bad at a level where he should be looking to dominate. The inexperienced Kondo scored a painstaking 50 in the final match.

Price was outstanding, further proof that he head and shoulders the best bowler in Zim. Cremer also contributed impressive overall figures, although he was somewhat inconsistent, as these stats mask a couple of surpring expensive nought-fors. Chigumbura used himself sparingly, but was pretty effective, picking up a career best. A team bowler Manyumwa's economy was impressive, but he will be disappointed with just 1 wicket. Youngster Mutombodzi's leggies were fairly economical, and he occasionally outbowled Cremer. Seamers Charumbira and Garwe were expensive throughout.

Westerns: http://stats.cricinfo.com/zimbabwedomes ... tournament

Unsurprisingly Coventry was the tournaments outstanding batsman, scoring the most runs at a healthy strike rate. Hopefully he will be back in the national team asap. The only meaningful support he got was from Dabengwa, who played the only other innings of substance. The rest of the batsmen flattered to decieve, Vermeulen, Ngulube, Mabuza, Mboyi, Takarunsenga & Kasawaya got a lot of starts but not a single 50 between them, and no strike rate above Ngulube's 69.

National team members Dabengwa and Mpofu recorded the best economy rates, but will be disappointed with both averaging over 35. The most penetrative bowler was Mupariwa, following his return from injury. Young seamer Ncube also showed some promise. Nyumbu's offies were economical, although he only picked up 3 wickets. Takarunsenga probably deserved more than his 21 overs.

For me the 3 players of this series are Charles Coventry,Raymond Price and Graeme Cremer.

Charles Coventry is the leading run scorer and LEGEND Raymond Price is the leading wicket taker of Faithwear Cup.Greame Cremer for his all round performance taking 8 wickets and averaging well above 50 with the bat.

Justice Chibhabha just missing out.He made the highest individual score 121* of this year Faithwear Cup.

Another performance to note for,Douglas Hondo played 4 matches picking up 7 wickets at 18.57,economy 4.84,best 3/18.He is 6th in leading wicket takers list,3rd as a pacer after Rainsford and Mupariwa.