Southern Rocks seal historic double

STAFF WRITER

Masvingo-based cricket outfit, Southern Rocks, have stamped their authority on Zimbabwe’s domestic game, completing a stunning double after lifting both the Pro50 Championship and the 2025/26 Logan Cup.

The achievement underlines their emergence as the undisputed powerhouse of domestic cricket, capping a season defined by consistency, discipline and big-match temperament.

Zimbabwe’s domestic competitions are bankrolled by leading financial services provider Central Africa Building Society (CABS), in partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket.

Rocks’ campaign was built on relentless bowling, clinical batting and a dressing room that refused to blink under pressure.

They were crowned Logan Cup champions earlier this month following a draw in the title decider against second-placed Eagles at Harare Sports Club.

The Rocks lifted the country’s premier first-class four-day tournament after ending with 110 points, seven clear of Eagles (103), with Rhinos (86), Mega Mountainers (50) and Tuskers (43) completing the standings in fifth place.

But the final was less about tension and more about authority.

After being sent in, Eagles posted a competitive 362/8 declared, powered by Craig Ervine’s composed 108, Ryan Kwamwemba’s maiden 71 and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe’s 53.

Rocks’ response was emphatic, a statement innings that defined their season.

Matthew Campbell (106) off 149, his third first-class hundred, Innocent Kaia (100 off 192, his fifth Logan Cup century) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (103(151) all struck centuries, while Panashe Taruvinga added a steady 50 as Rocks piled up a commanding 564/8 declared, securing a 202-run first-innings lead that effectively shut the door on any Eagles comeback.

By the time Eagles reached 133/2 in their second innings, the outcome was inevitable. The captains shook hands. The title belonged to Rocks.

“It was crucial to score 450-plus and bowl teams out,” said head coach Njabulo Ncube, reflecting on a campaign that has now delivered his first major coaching title.

“It’s been a long journey. We’re blessed with good players and I’m happy the boys played well throughout. I hope we keep the same belief and win again.”

Captain Roy Kaia echoed that sentiment, pointing to a blend of experience and youthful hunger as the bedrock of their success.

“I’m feeling really good, winning the biggest trophy in Zimbabwe domestic cricket,” he said.

“How the boys played was exceptional. Having focused seniors like Innocent Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Jonathan Campbell and Richmond Mutumbami made it easy for me and the youngsters to bring our A game.”

For Eagles, who pushed Rocks throughout the Logan Cup season, there was a sense of what might have been, but also an acceptance of the gap that ultimately proved decisive.

“They led by seven points coming in,you needed something special to overhaul that,” said coach Erick Chauluka.

“Rocks took their chance and batted well. Credit to them, they had a good season.”

On Sunday, at Masvingo Sports Club, Southern Rocks completed the job in emphatic fashion, dismantling defending champions Mountaineers to seal the Pro50 Championship, to cap a rare domestic double.

This time, there was no tension, no late drama. Rocks made it look routine, a composed eight-wicket victory that underlined their growing authority and confirmed their status as the team to beat on the domestic circuit.

“I am very happy. This is my first time to win a double and I will certainly celebrate this feat,” said Ncube.

“We had not expected this from the start. To be honest, we were only looking to play good cricket and we are happy we came out tops.

“This is a big thing, the fans are happy and we need to keep developing our players so that we maintain the winning and have players playing at the highest level.”

Rocks’ dominance was no accident. They had set the tone early, finishing top of the Pro50 log in the round-robin phase, and carried that momentum seamlessly into the final.

At the heart of it all was Kaia, once again delivering when it mattered most. The in-form top-order batsman produced a masterclass under pressure, registering his third century of the tournament.

Kaia remained unbeaten on 112 off 113 balls, striking 15 boundaries and a six, anchoring the chase with authority and calm precision. Panashe Taruvinga contributed 22, while Roy Kaia added an unbeaten 21 to guide Rocks home without fuss.

His tournament returns tell their own story, 500 runs at an outstanding average of 83.33, a campaign defined by consistency, composure and big-match temperament.

Earlier, Rocks had laid the foundation with a disciplined bowling performance after winning the toss and opting to field.

Mountaineers made a promising start, with openers Joylord Gumbie and Alistair Frost finding early rhythm.

Frost struck 25 off 22 balls before falling at mid-on to Roy Kaia in an attempt to accelerate.

Nick Welch chipped in with 23, while Gumbie held the innings together with a patient 51 off 110 deliveries. But as the innings wore on, Rocks tightened their grip, steadily strangling the scoring rate through the middle overs.

The decisive shift came through Matthew Campbell, who ripped through the middle order with a sharp three-wicket burst.

The dismissals of Wellington Masakadza and Timycen Maruma triggered a collapse, as Mountaineers slid from a position of stability to 151 for six.

A late resistance from Spencer Magodo (34) and Michael Frost (22) briefly threatened to revive the innings, but Shelton Mazvitorera extinguished any hopes of a surge, striking twice in quick succession.

Mountaineers were eventually bowled out for 230 with four balls to spare, Mazvitorera finishing with impressive figures of three for 31.

In response, Rocks wasted no time asserting control.

Campbell and Kaia stitched together a commanding 148-run opening partnership that effectively settled the contest long before the finish line. Campbell’s fluent 67 ended when he fell to Prosper Mugeri, but by then, the outcome was beyond doubt.

Southern Rocks did not just win, they dominated.