INNOCENT Kaia produced a dependable opener's knock at ease as Southern Rocks clinched the Pro50 Championship with an eight-wicket win over Mountaineers in the final at Masvingo Sports Club on Saturday.
Chasing a modest 231, Rocks cruised home with overs to spare after Kaia carried his bat for a superb 112 not out. He found a fluent ally in Jonathan Campbell, whose half-century powered a decisive 140-run third-wicket stand that broke the back of the chase.
Rocks skipper Roy Kaia had earlier won the toss and elected to field, backing his bowlers on a surface that offered early movement. The decision paid off as Mountaineers were restricted to 230 all out, a total that felt below par once the Rocks' top order settled.
Mountaineers built their innings around steady contributions through the middle but never kicked on. Tight spells from the Rocks bowlers squeezed the scoring rate, and regular wickets prevented any late surge. The last five wickets fell for under 40 runs, leaving the defending champions with a target that demanded discipline rather than fireworks.
Rocks' opening pair absorbed pressure before flipping the tempo. Kaia was measured early, rotating strike and punishing width, while Campbell used his feet to the spinners and found the fence with increasing regularity.
Their 140-run partnership came off 132 balls and ended only when Campbell departed for a well-made 67, caught trying to clear the infield. By then, the equation was down to a run a ball with nine wickets in hand.
Kaia raised his bat to a standing ovation from the Masvingo crowd after reaching a hundred, his third of the campaign. He faced 115 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six, and marshalled the chase with calm authority to finish 112 not out.
His brother Roy provided the finishing touches with a brisk 22 not out as Rocks reached 234-2 in 40.4 overs, sparking celebrations in the home camp.
The win caps a dominant Pro50 campaign for Rocks, who timed their run perfectly after starting the season slowly. For Kaia, the unbeaten hundred was his third of the tournament and a reminder of his value at the top of the order.
Mountaineers, winners of the past two editions, were left to rue a middle-overs stall with the bat. Their bowlers struggled for success with the new ball and had no answer once Kaia and Campbell took control.
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