A heroic stand by Tanunurwa Makoni and Will Fraine has reignited Tuskers’ survival hopes, as the pair combined for an unbeaten 230-run partnership to defy Eagles’ charge toward an innings victory on Thursday, the third day of their Logan Cup clash at Takashinga Cricket Club.
By stumps on Day 3, Tuskers clawed their way to 331/3, trimming their deficit to just 15 runs with seven wickets intact.
Earlier, Eagles’ mammoth first-innings total of 512/8 (declared) had left Tuskers staring down a 346-run deficit. The hosts’ top order wobbled early again, with seamer Alex Falao striking twice to reduce them to 35/2. But Makoni, resolute as ever, anchored the innings alongside Brian Chari (27) before Fraine joined the fray at 101/3.
What followed was a masterclass in resistance. The duo dismantled Eagles’ attack, targeting leg-spinner Alex Russell with particular ferocity. Makoni notched his century first, reaching triple figures off 189 balls, while Fraine accelerated to his own hundred in just 143 deliveries. By day’s end, Fraine (142) had even edged ahead of Makoni (140), their partnership swelling to an unbroken 230 – a record for Tuskers’ fourth wicket.
With momentum swinging their way, Tuskers now eye an improbable turnaround on the final day.
Ben Curran’s defiant 116 nearly derailed Mountaineers’ push for dominance, but the hosts still emerged with a 126-run lead heading into Day 4. After declaring overnight at 402/7 (highlighted by Alistair Frost’s monumental 209*), Mountaineers watched Rhinos rally from 38/3 to 321 all out, narrowly avoiding the follow-on.
Curran’s gritty ton anchored Rhinos’ fightback, supported by Antum Naqvi’s patient 57. But the star of the innings was Vincent Masekesa, whose fiery 6/137 spell included the scalps of both Curran and the explosive Nyasha Mayavo (57 off 56 balls). Late fireworks from Brad Evans (28 off 15) ensured Rhinos surpassed the follow-on target before folding.
Mountaineers raced to 45/2 in their second innings, stretching their lead despite losing openers Joylord Gumbie and Nick Welch. With Frost unbeaten on 28*, the hosts aim to set a daunting target on Friday.
