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Brandon Moyo
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UNITED States of America (USA) cricket team proved too strong for Tuskers A after winning the first practice match played at Old Mutual Academy by 247 runs yesterday.

Batting first, USA batters made light work of the Tuskers bowlers, finishing on 438/7 in 50 overs before going on to bowl out the home side for 191 runs in 36,4 overs to go 1-0 up in the two match series.

It was two unbeaten centuries from the Americans that did most of the damage in the first innings of the match. The two, vice-captain Aaron Jones and Saiteja Mukkamalla both retired out after reaching their milestones.

They both scored 103 runs, with Jones facing 78 deliveries while Mukkamalla faced 85 balls. There were two more half centuries which helped USA reach a mammoth score.

Jasdeep Singh finished unbeaten on 61 runs from 25 balls while Gajanand Singh fell for 56 runs off 28 deliveries as they made Tuskers bowlers toil throughout the proceedings. Sheunopa Musekwa finished with the best bowling figures for the home side, taking two wickets for 68 runs in his seven over spell.

Victor Nyauchi, captain Ernest Masuku, and Mgcini Dube all took one wicket each for Tuskers.
Chasing a huge score, Tuskers batters were faced with a mountain to climb and could not do so despite a Bright Phiri gallant effort.

Phiri fought a lone battle with the bat, finishing on 79 runs from 97 balls with the team’s second leading run scorer being Nyasha Mayavo with 33 runs off 36 deliveries. Petro Sithole, at the bottom of the order chipped in with 20 runs having faced 25 balls.

Nostush Kenjige starred with the ball for the Americans, taking a five-for. He finished with figures of 5/51 in nine overs while Kyle Phillip and Nisarg Patel took two scalps each for 29 and 24 runs respectively. The other wicket that fell was taken by Stephen Taylor.

USA are using the series against Tuskers as part of their preparations for the upcoming Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers which start on June 18. USA were the first  team to arrive in Zimbabwe ahead of the tournament so that they get a feel of Zimbabwean conditions before the start of the 10-team tournament.

West Indies

USA is in Group A of the qualifiers alongside Netherlands, West Indies, Nepal and the hosts, Zimbabwe and their group matches will be played in Harare. Group B has Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman and their group matches will be played in Bulawayo. -@brandon_malvin