Matabeleland cricket report

Derrick Townshend is our Matabeleland correspondent and a former national cricketer, an off-spin bowler and more than useful batsman. He has recently managed Matabeleland teams and his son Matthew made his debut for the province last season as a pace bowler and aggressive batsman.

The highlight of the start of the Matabeleland season was the visit by New Zealand for two one-day matches, both of which Zimbabwe won, coupled with the opening of the new centre adjacent to the media centre.

The centre comprises:

The Matabeleland Cricket Association headquarters, office and large strong room; a Presidential area with 96 seats on the lower level, 48 seats on the upper level, a 120 square metre reception area, lounge, dining area, kitchen and bar.

Players' area: a 90 square metre changing facility, 80 square metre change rooms with physics areas 30 square metres inside the viewing area and 20 square metres outside seats for each team.

Umpires' change rooms, the match referee's viewing room, with third-umpire facilities, an upper-level grandstand with 525 seats, a bar, catering and television.

The national league commenced somewhat late and Bulawayo teams have not fared well, particularly the MacDonald club who lost their first two games by heavy margins.

The Matabeleland Logan Cup squad has had extensive training under Colin Williams, the national hockey coach, while net attendance has been well supported with a more dedicated approach than last year.

The following were selected for the First Logan Cup match to be played against Mashonaland `A' at B.A.C. 20TH - 22ND October, but following a ZCU decision all matches will now be played in 2001.

MARK VERMUELEN - CAPTAIN MAC CLUB
MARK ABRAMS CRESCENTS
CHARLES COVENTRY B.A.C
KEITH DABENGWA BSC
DEON EBRAHIM BSC
IMRAN ESAT CRESCENTS
IAN ENGELBRECHT QUEENS
JOHN RENNIE QUEENS
WISDOM SIZIBA B.A.C.
MATTHEW TOWNSHEND B.A.C.
NEIL VAN RENSBURG QUEENS
GAVIN WREN MAC CLUB
DERRICK TOWNSHEND - MANAGER

Mark Vermeulen has taken over the captaincy from Mark Abrams following the latter's poor form last season.

New caps in the side are Imran Esat, a young right-arm medium-fast bowler from Crescents Club, and Gavin Wren, the former Zimbabwe Under-19 player who missed last season because of injury.

Applications for the new season at the CFX academy in Harare close shortly and Keith Dabengwa, Ian Coulson, Wisdom Siziba, Robin Bullivant, Matthew Townshend and Terence Duffin have all applied.