Zimbabwe A – 151 all out in 60.4 overs (Tafadzwa Tsiga 64*, Kundai Matigimu 29, Matthew Welch 12; George Drissell 4/54, James Minto 3/9, Paul Coughlin 2/25)
Durham – 74-5 in 29 overs (Emilio Gay 26, Ollie Robinson 14, George Drissell 8*; Blessing Muzarabani 2/23, Richard Ngarava 2/27, Kundai Matigimu 1/22)
Day 1 – Stumps: Durham trail by 77 runs
Zimbabwe A and Durham played out a competitive day of cricket at Takashinga Cricket Club in the second of their two three-day matches.
After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe A struggled and were bowled out for 151, with Tafadzwa Tsiga’s unbeaten 64 providing the only real resistance.
However, the home side’s bowlers hit back strongly, with Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani reducing Durham to 74 for five by the close.
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe ‘A’ suffered an early collapse, with Paul Coughlin and James Minto wreaking havoc.
The hosts slumped to 25 for five, with none of the first five batters reaching double figures.
Tsiga then arrived at the crease to join Matthew Welch, who made 12 before falling as the sixth wicket at 51.
A crucial 51-run partnership followed between Tsiga and Kundai Matigimu, taking the total to 100 before Matigimu departed for a well-made 29.
Muzarabani contributed 11 and helped Tsiga reach his half-century before George Drissell wrapped up the innings.
Zimbabwe A were eventually dismissed for 151, with Tsiga finishing unbeaten on 64 from 131 balls, including a six and seven fours.
Drissell picked up first-class best of 4/54, while Minto claimed an impressive three for nine backing up his performance in the previous game.
Durham’s reply also got off to a shaky start as Matigimu and Ngarava removed the openers with just 11 runs on the board.
Ngarava later struck again to dismiss Will Rhodes for a battling eight.
Emilio Gay (26) and Ollie Robinson (14) attempted to steady the innings, but Muzarabani dismissed both batters to leave Durham reeling at 63 for five.
By stumps, Durham were still trailing by 77 runs, with half their side already back in the pavilion.