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John Nyumbu

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Logan Cup, Day Four in Bulawayo: Matabeleland Tuskers 252 & 174; Mashonaland Eagles 356 & 75/4 (17.2 overs)

Mashonaland Eagles won by 6 wickets

A decade after breaking into first class cricket, Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise’s spin bowler John “Master Spin” Nyumbu got his career 150 first class wickets in his team’s last Logan Cup match against Mashonaland Eagles at Queens Sports Club on Friday.

Nyumbu took Mashonaland Eagles’ fifth wicket of Cephas Zhuwawo in the 78th over on Day Two of the game.

Ironically, Nyumbu’s break into first class cricket was against the Harare side in April 2004 at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of the sport, in a match that his side won by five wickets.

Having already won the 2014-15 Logan Cup, Nyumbu had hoped to cap his feat by helping Matabeleland Tuskers to a strong league finish and have a befitting 150-wicket haul celebration but Mashonaland Eagles had other plans, beating the champions by six wickets.

Despite ending on a losing note, Nyumbu is ecstatic with his milestone and dreams of conquering on the international scene.

“Getting 150 wickets hasn’t been easy but I’m happy to attain this feat. It hasn’t been an easy road but I’m privileged to have great teammates who have been pushing me to work extra hard and this is purely a reward for sheer hard work and perseverance,” said Nyumbu.

“I won’t be resting on my laurels as I want to get more wickets and even reach greater heights in international cricket.”

His boss Wayne James who saw Mashonaland Eagles easily getting the 71 runs target by midday yesterday was full of praise for Nyumbu but disappointed that they lost the dead rubber match.

“Even though we had won the Logan Cup we still wanted to end the season on a high note but unfortunately we lost it on the third day and we were punished. On a positive note, I’m happy for Nyumbu for reaching that 150 wickets milestone. That’s a good achievement for him and I know he still has lots of wickets left. People should just watch the space,” James said.

Meanwhile, tomorrow Matabeleland Tuskers takes on Mashonaland Eagles in a Pro-50 One Day match at Queens Sports Club with their sights set at securing a home final on Saturday.

In the Pro-50 One Day competition, Matabeleland Tuskers are at the top of the table with 26 points, five points above second placed Mashonaland Eagles.

A win against Mashonaland Eagles tomorrow guarantees Matabeleland Tuskers a home final against a team that will finish second. Mashonaland Eagles and Manicaland Mountaineers are vying for the second place.

Pro-50 One Day

Fixtures

March 17: Matabeleland Tuskers v Mashonaland Eagles (Bulawayo), MidWest Rhinos v Manicaland Mountaineers (Kwekwe)