Sibanda Brilliance Sets Up Zimbabwe XI Win

Sibanda Brilliance Sets Up Zimbabwe XI Win

Vusi Sibanda (right) was in brilliant form for the Zimbabwe XI.

©REUTERS/Andy Clark (JAMAICA) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Zimbabwe XI 352 (Sibanda 209) & 238-5 (Sibanda 116no) beat
Kenya 333 (Tikolo 61) & 254 (Ouma 54) by five wickets
ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-2010, Harare

A virtuoso batting performance from Vusi Sibanda enabled the Zimbabwe XI to open their ICC Intercontinental Cup account with a five-wicket win over Kenya in Harare.

For much of the first two days, Kenya were in a good position and looking good for at least a first innings lead in the event of a draw.

That all changed however, as from a position of 178 for seven in reply to Kenya's 333, Sibanda combined with Regis Chakabva to add 161 for the eighth wicket, Chakabva making 67 and Sibanda a career-best 209 in 320 balls.

He was the last man to be dismissed with the Zimbabweans making 352, grabbing both the lead and the initiative in the match.

Despite captain Maurice Ouma's 54 in their second innings, Kenya were only able to set the Zimbabweans 236 to win as Ed Rainsford, Timycen Maruma, Shingarai Masakadza and John Nyumbu equally shared eight of the wickets to fall.

Batting at number four, Sibanda came to the crease at 24 for two and coolly guided his side home with an unbeaten 116, aided by Chamu Chibhaba's 64.

© Cricket World 2009