Latest news with #Masekesa
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Conway's first test century in over 2 years boosts New Zealand's lead over Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AP) — Devon Conway overcame his patchy form in test cricket with his first hundred in over two years as New Zealand eyed an imposing lead against Zimbabwe in the second test on Friday. Conway moved to a flawless 140 not out and Henry Nicholls was unbeaten on 41 at lunch on Day 2 with New Zealand cruising along to 306-2 for an overall lead of 181 runs. Zimbabwe tried six bowlers in the session but only Vincent Masekesa (1-45) got success when the leg-spinner dismissed nightwatcher Jacob Duffy for 36. Resuming on 174-1 with a 49-run lead, New Zealand had another productive session of 132-1 as Conway led the charge with his fifth test century. He showed plenty of aggression against the fast bowlers and smashed Tanaka Chivanga through point boundary off the first ball of the day. Conway then reached his century off 143 balls when he drove Blessing Muzarabani through mid-off for his 13th boundary of the innings, raising both arms to celebrate his much-awaited hundred in the longest format. Conway's last test hundred came against Pakistan at Karachi in Jan. 2023. Since then the left-hander had played 16 test matches without a century. Zimbabwe resorted to its spinners in the latter half of the first session in order to keep the fast bowlers fresh for the second new ball but only Masekesa could bring the home team success. Masekesa struck off his second ball but not before debutant Duffy had frustrated Zimbabwe by raising a 73-run stand with Conway. Brian Bennett held onto a spectacular catch to his right at short mid-wicket as Duffy tried to pull the short delivery. Zimbabwe lost the first test by nine wickets inside three days and its batting order once again crumbled for 125 on Day 1 against a new crop of New Zealand fast bowlers with Matt Henry and debutant Zakary Foulkes sharing nine wickets between them. The two-match series is not part of the World Test Championship. ___ AP cricket:
United News of India
30-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Zimbabwe debutant Masekesa reveals inspiration behind his Test debut
Chattogram, Apr 30 (UNI) Zimbabwe debutant Vincent Masekesa has revealed the inspiration he has received from fellow spinning greats that has helped his rise to the top. Masekesa won his Test debut during the ongoing second Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and the 28-year-old has already made a strong impression by picking up three wickets on the second day of play here. It's been a long time coming for Masekesa, who only made his first-class debut at the start of 2021 and finally won a first Test cap on the back of taking plenty of wickets for Mountaineers in Zimbabwe's domestic Logan Cup competition. Masekesa was the leading wicket-taker in the Logan Cup last season with 43 scalps and his efforts obviously caught the eye of Zimbabwe selectors as the leg-spinner earned a first Test cap against Bangladesh. Unsurprisingly, Masekesa nominated champion spinner Shane Warne as someone he admires and also singled out a host of current day tweakers that are still at the top of their game, an ICC report said. "I am always a big fan of leg-spinners. Shane Warne obviously and most of the Zimbabwe leg-spinners and growing up Graeme Cremer was there," Masekesa said. "I also look up to Adil Rashid from England, (Yuzvendra) Chahal from India...(Adam) Zampa from Australia. Even Rishad (Hossain) from Bangladesh," he said. Masekesa didn't take long to make an impression with the ball on debut as he picked up Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto for his first Test scalp and then added a further two wickets later in the day as Zimbabwe fought hard in the series finale. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting that first wicket at that exact moment but it meant a lot. Representing Zimbabwe in Test cricket is a big opportunity, and I was really happy," Masekesa said. A century to Shadman Islam helped Bangladesh obtain a first innings lead by stumps on the second day of the Test, but Masekesa believes his team is still well in contention of fighting back and picking up the win to complete a series sweep. "They're playing well, no doubt. But we're still very much in this game. We'll fight hard to keep things under control tomorrow," he added. UNI BM
Int'l Cricket Council
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Zimbabwe debutant reveals the inspiration behind his Test debut
Masekesa didn't take long to make an impression with the ball on debut as he picked up Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto for his first Test scalp and then added a further two wickets later in the day as Zimbabwe fought hard in the series finale. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting that (first wicket) at that exact moment but it meant a lot. Representing Zimbabwe in Test cricket is a big opportunity, and I was really happy," Masekesa said. A century to Shadman Islam helped Bangladesh obtain a first innings lead by stumps on the second day of the Test, but Masekesa believes his team is still well in contention of fighting back and picking up the win to complete a series sweep. "They're playing well, no doubt. But we're still very much in this game. We'll fight hard to keep things under control tomorrow," he said.
