LOGAN CUP REPORT: MANICALAND v MASHONALAND, Day 3
By John Ward
As expected, the Logan Cup match between Manicaland and
Mashonaland fizzled out into a tame draw at Mutare Sports Club.
Mashonaland gained full batting points in their total of 353 for
nine wickets declared, but Manicaland safely batted out the
match.
The first over on another unexpectedly sunny morning was an
eventful one. Terry Denyer still had five balls of his
unfinished over to complete after it had been interrupted by bad
light the previous evening. His second ball, short, was pulled
by overnight batsman Dirk Viljoen for four; off the fourth
Viljoen (66) attempted a tentative cover drive and snicked a
catch straight to Guy Whittall at first slip.
Dan Peacock, promoted in the order, soon showed he deserved it
with some crisp strokes, including three fours, two through the
covers and one through midwicket, off Denyer. Don Campbell
looked much less comfortable and had a lucky escape when he skyed
a ball just short of the deep midwicket fielder. He was finally
out for 14, caught at the wicket pushing forward to Andrew
Whittall.
Gus Mackay played himself in for a couple of overs before
beginning a typical onslaught: 9 off an over from Lawson, 15 off
Andrew Whittall, then 15 off Lawson again, including a six over
and another on to the pavilion. He slowed down dramatically on
approaching his fifty, content with a single off almost every
ball, before finally reaching the landmark off 35 balls. By now
he had lost Peacock, well caught at extra cover for 42 off
Lawson. Almost immediately after reaching his fifty, though, he
hit Whittall straight down the throat of Yatras at long-off to be
out for 51, scored off 39 balls, with 3 sixes and 5 fours.
Mashonaland had by now swept into the lead and were on 293 for
eight.
Everton Matambanadzo, now at number ten, was keen to prove his
improved batting ability. A thick outside edge brought him a
remarkable six over backward point, followed by a sliced four in
the same area. On 18 he was given out lbw to Soma, but
Manicaland, realising that it had hit his bat, withdrew their
appeal, in a sporting gesture all too rare in modern cricket. He
celebrated with six more runs in the over before being superbly
caught by Guy Whittall at extra cover for 20.
Then came a useful last-wicket stand between Anton Hoffman and
Gary du Plessis, which was still unbroken at lunch when
Mashonaland were 341 for nine (Hoffman 25, du Plessis 4). During
the interval the Mashona players tried to pressure the Manica
captain into agreeing to set them a target, but he failed to fall
for it, knowing full well victory for his team was a virtual
impossibility. Afterwards Hoffman opened aggressively, hitting
two fours and two twos to take the total to 353 and maximum
batting points before Mashonaland declared.
Manicaland went in to bat again with 75 overs left and a deficit
of 66 runs, with Mashonaland the only team to have a realistic
chance of victory. They had no real alternative but to play
safe. Neil Ferreira scarcely offered an attacking stroke in the
first hour, while Patrick Gada occasionally unleashed a powerful
drive or pull when he found a suitable ball.
After drinks the batsmen gradually began to play more positively,
but were to regret it. Gada (22) tried to hit Gavin Rennie out
of the ground, but instead was caught by Craig Evans on the
midwicket boundary, while Mark Burmester (1) drove over a ball
from Viljoen and was bowled. Ferreira, however, was determined
not to be moved, and Guy Whittall settled in without much
trouble. At tea a draw was looming with Manicaland on 64 for
two, still two runs behind (Ferreira 25, Whittall 13).
According to the regulations, a match cannot be abandoned as a
draw until 3.40pm on the final day, which in this case meant jus
ten minutes' play after tea. This made for some fooling around,
with Evans keeping wicket and Campbell bowling with the entire
fielding side in the slips. He ran out Whittall backing up,
although it was hard to tell how seriously; umpire Graham Gilmour
spoke to the captain, Gus Mackay, and Whittall continued his
innings, but that may have been the original intention anyway.
The atmosphere was frivolous, but it was hard to tell, as
Mashonaland unfortunately left a bad impression behind them of
some petulance on the field and far too much needling of the
local batsmen. The final total was 77 for two (Ferreira 32,
Whittall 17).