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OPENING batsman Bright Njanji plundered a double century to help Centrals condemn Power Turbines to a colossal 345-run routing in the 2016 Associate Provincial League semi-final played in Bindura on Saturday.

The 23-year-old went on to match his batting heroics with a magical spell with the ball that yielded five wickets as the Matabeleland North side were totally annihilated.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Centrals wasted no time putting the visitors to the sword with Njanji and Ashwell Karuma, who hit a century, sharing a 280-run partnership for the first wicket. Njanji faced 109 balls for his massive 200 runs, which included 26 fours and half-a-dozen sixes, before he was caught by Austin Chisambwe off a delivery from Aron Phiri.

But first to go was Karuma who was dismissed by Chisambwe after making 106 off 82 balls — his knock included six boundaries, one of which was a maximum. The next batsman, Norman Tavarwisa, was run out for a golden duck but the double breakthrough came way too late as the Mashonaland Central side kept the scoreboard ticking.

So rampant were Centrals that Paul Kasonde was Power Turbines’ most economical bowler despite shipping 49 runs from eight wicket-less overs.

Chisambwe claimed three wickets in eight overs at a total cost of 90 runs, while Phiri bagged two wickets as he conceded 69 runs from his eight overs.

Set a mammoth target of 399 runs to win, Power Turbines were in trouble as early as the first ball of their innings as opener Keith Zvinokona was dismissed for a golden duck after he was caught by Nathan Anold off a Tinotenda Mafusire delivery. Phiri (21) and Michael Kawara (17) tried to mount a resistance of some sort as they strung together a 39-run stand for the second wicket, but that unfortunately was the only highlight of their horrible afternoon.

Nkankiso Moyo, McDonald Kawara and Wesley Mhlanga were all dismissed for ducks, while Tafadzwa Mujima, although he finished unbeaten, incredibly failed to score a single run from the 14 balls he faced.

Scores

Centrals — 398 for 7 in 40 overs (Bright Njani 200, Ashwell Karuma 106; Austin Chisambwe 3/90, Aron Phiri 2/69)

Power Turbines — 53 all out in 23.1 overs (Aron Phiri 21, Michael Kawara 17; Bright Njanji 5/11, Artwell Nyambanje 3/15) — zimcricket.