Mashonaland v CFX Academy - lunch report

Remarkably, play was able to start on time at Harare Sports Club, not generally well known for its drying capabilities. With more rain very possible before too long, Mashonaland captain Trevor Penney decided to gamble in pursuit of victory. He declared at the overnight total of 253 for three, and both captains agreed to forfeit an innings.

The inexperienced CFX Academy were therefore given all day - or as much as the weather allowed - to score 254 runs for victory. They suffered a bad start when captain Terrence Duffin had his stumps spreadeagled second ball, without a run scored, by a yorker from Eddo Brandes.

Mashonaland missed two chances of another quick wicket when his replacement, Andre Neethling, was twice dropped in the slips off Brandes early in his innings. Neethling did not profit much overall, though, staying for over an hour before being unluckily bowled off his foot by Darlington Matambanadzo for 6; 27 for two.

Then developed a determined partnership between Barney Rogers and opener Wisdom Siziba, who has become a more fluent player since his Matabeleland performances last year, when he became noted for some sterling defensive efforts, most notably that of carrying his bat through the innings on his debut. He has developed the ability to work the ball around the field for ones and twos, and he kept the score ticking over all the time. Some of the Mashonaland fielders became unnecessarily vocal in their frustration.

Andy Flower came on to bowl his rare but useful slow-medium seamers, but it was as a fielder that he broke the stand, taking a smart catch as Siziba (48) sliced Paul Strang into the gully; 99 for three. Lunch was taken at 107 for three (Rogers 44, Guy Croxford 0).