Rain stops play in Harare

a in their one-day international series at the weekend.

The five-match series was declared drawn at two-all after the last game scheduled for Saturday was postponed without a ball being bowled because of persistent rain in Harare. Zimbabwe won the first game of series before Kenya hit back with two consecutive wins only for the home side to draw level.

Curran, who took over as national coach in August last year, said he was pleased with the performance of his youthful side – which included some who had not played any one-day international cricket before Kenya’s tour.

“I was quite pleased with the way the team performed, considering that most of the boys still lack experience,” Curran said.

“But it would be better if we could have some experienced players fused with the young boys. There are a number of top-class Zimbabwean players in England and other places and we would want them.”

Curran believes the youthful team representing Zimbabwe has potential to develop into a competitive side.

Zimbabwe last Friday recovered from their shock midweek loss when they thumped Kenya by 109 at Harare Sports Club to level their five-match one-day international series two-all.

The two sides would have met in the potentially explosive final match at the same venue on Saturday.

Opener Piet Rinke set Zimbabwe to a competitive total of 239 for 9 with an impressive knock of 72 off 70 balls after the home side had won the toss and elected to bat.

New captain Terry Duffin, only playing in his fourth one-day international ever, made a crucial 39 that seemed to stabilise Zimbabwe’s batting which was pathetic in their loss on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor hit 40, Elton Chigumbura 36 and Charles Coventry was the only other batsmen with a double figure as he chipped in with 11 runs.

However, the day belonged to 17-year-old Ryan Higgins who put up a man-of-the-match performance with ball as he claimed four wickets for 21 runs in his nine overs to give Zimbabwe the much-needed win.

Prosper Utseya and Keith Dabengwa were also impressive as they shared two wickets apiece as brilliant bowling authored Kenya’s downfall. With Kennedy Otieno the only one to offer some resistance with his 69, the East Africans could only manage 122, a massive 109 short of the target Zimbabwe had set them.– ZimOnline