WESSLY Madhevere finally found his true form as he scored a brilliant century to take Gladiators to another NPL victory, this time at the expense of Scorpions by six wickets, in the National Premier League at Masvingo Sports Club.
Scorpions chose to bat and their innings would have been quite a disaster without the batting of their opener Jayden Schadendorf, who batted throughout the 45 overs to score 87 not out, facing 120 balls altogether and hitting nine fours.
His best partner was actually the last man, Tawana Kasondo, who scored a confident 16 not out in an unbroken partnership of 44 that took the total to 198 for nine wickets.
That target was not likely to trouble Gladiators, but they did lose two early wickets for 39.
Madhevere was in brilliant form, though, and after the fourth wicket fell at 122 he and Clive Madande took Gladiators home in a dashing unbroken partnership of 78.
Madande scored 43 not out off 34 balls, while Madhevere finished with 110, having faced only 86 balls and hitting two sixes and 13 fours.
Mbizo finally registered a maiden victory after dispatching Golden Bulls by seven wickets in a match that pitted two sides that had lost all their previous fixtures in this tournament against each other at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday.
Tafara Chingwara took four cheap wickets and Clifford Takaedza scored 63 to give the Midlands club the convincing win.
This was a needle match because both teams had lost all their previous matches this season and this was the chance for one of them to gain a first victory of the tournament.
Golden Bulls, opting to bat, were soon in trouble against Chingwara and Jabulisa Tshuma, losing three wickets for 13 runs.
BRIEF SCORES:
Golden Bulls – 130 all out in 29.3 overs (Kumbirai Machaka 32, Kelvin Mabvute 29, Dereck Sadoki 24; Tafara Chingwara 4/22, Jabulisa Tshuma 3/26, Manson Chikowero 1/27)
Mbizo – 131-3 in 20.4 overs (Clifford Takaedza 63*, Panashe Mugari 28*, Takudzwa Masakadza 11; Dereck Sadoki 1/12, Munashe Maworere 1/25, Elvin Nxumalo 1/26)
RESULT: Mbizo won by seven wickets
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Scorpions – 198-9 in 45 overs (Jayden Schadendorf 87*, Tawananyasha Kasondo 16*, Gratitude Jaya 15; Tanatswa Chisvo 2/12, Phrase Mukabeta 2/27, Tatenda Matimbe 1/11)
Gladiators – 200-4 in 27.2 overs (Wessly Madhevere 110*, Clive Madande 43*, Ashley Mufandauya 24; Gabriel Jaya 1/22, Tatenda Murove 1/34, Blessed Muzite 1/38)
RESULT: Gladiators won by six wickets. – zimcricket.