Manicaland set new Logan Cup record total

After their opening pair of Neil Ferreira and Richard Sims set a new Zimbabwean first-class opening partnership record, Manicaland went on to set a new record total for the Logan Cup on the second day of their match against Matabeleland at Queens Sports Club yesterday. Manicaland piled on 650 for eight wickets declared off 151.4 overs, breaking the record that was previously held by Mashonaland, who had pegged it at 644 against Matabeleland last season.

Matabeleland in reply were on 184 for four in 43 overs in their bid to avoid being forced to follow-on. Matabeleland suffered a severe blow in their efforts to restrict their opponents from posting a huge total when pace bowler Mpumelelo Mbangwa failed to take to the field owing to a hamstring injury. This is the second time that the Matabeleland skipper has pulled out of the side during the course of the game after doing the same in their ten-wicket drubbing by Mashonaland last week due to a chest problem.

Manicaland resumed at 364 for two with Guy Whittall and Stuart Matsikenyeri the two men at the crease. Matsikenyeri however did not last long, when he left the field of play in the second over of the day, dismissed by Jordane Nicolle for 13, caught at gully by Mark Vermeulen.

The visitors suddenly reshuffled their batting order when Alistair Campbell, who was originally set to bat at number six, came on at four. The left-handed Zimbabwe opener did not take long to find his terrific form with the bat, smashing the home bowlers all over the ground. He did little running because of a leg injury he suffered during warm-ups on the first day. Campbell made scoring boundaries so simple, just keeping a cool head and waiting for the right moment to pounce. It was no surprise that he reached the half-century mark before Whittall, off just 35 deliveries with 10 fours and a six.

Whittall got to the fifty mark after facing 86 balls, smashing nine fours after being at the crease for 122 minutes. Campbell and Whittall shared a fourth-wicket stand of 136 runs when Whittall tried to pull off-spinner Gavin Ewing with Andre Hoffman well positioned to take a brilliant catch at fine leg. This brought an end to his innings that saw him score 89 runs off 105 deliveries.

Ewing claimed his second scalp when he clean bowled Campbell before he reached his century, taking him out for 95 runs. Manicaland finally declared their first innings closed with Guy Croxford unbeaten on 63.

Ewing was the pick of the home bowlers, grabbing three wickets from 48 overs, conceding 171 runs and bowling four maidens. Medium-pacer Nicolle took two wickets.