Zimbabwe in 51-run victory over SA Composite XI

Zimbabwe in 51-run victory over SA Composite XI

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A GREVIOUS batting display by the SA Composite XI saw them crash to a 51-run defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in their SuperSport Challenge match in Paarl on Saturday.

An all-round performance from Elton Chigumbura - he made a vital second-innings 49 and then took 5 for 33
in the home side's second innings - and a classy hundred from Tatenda Taibu underpinned Zimbabwe's success.

The Composite XI, needing 150 for victory, resumed their second innings on 42 for four and their woes started as early as the fourth over of the morning when Chigumbura bowled Shaun Liebisch for 10 and Christopher Mpofu trapped Shane Burger leg-before for 13 in the very next over.

With Burger and Liebisch gone, Zimbabwe suddenly held the upper hand having reduced their opponents to 50 for six.

Spinner Ray Price nipped out wicketkeeper Athenkosi Dyili, who was stumped for nine after an ill-advised charge down the pitch, and you knew the match was over when Chigumbura removed Alan Kruger (1) and Brendon Reddy (8) for highly-impressive figures of five for 33.

Paul Adams, who was not a very successful operator with the ball, bowling just eight overs in the match and taking one for 39, scored a gutsy 12 and Jandre Coetzee batted accordingly, scoring 17 not out as they took the SA Composite XI to the brink of three figures.

But Christopher Mpofu, who finished with three for 22, ended the fun when he had Adams caught.

Teams

SAComposite XI: B Snijman, R Jappie, B Hector, W Madsen, S Liebiesh, S Burger, A Kruger, A Dyili, J Coetzee, P Adams, P Sandri, B Reddy.

Zimbabwe: V Sibanda, H Masakadza, C Chibhabha, T Taibu, B Taylor, K Dabengwa, S Matsikenyeri, E Chigumbura, P Utseya, C Mpofu, R Price
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