Matabeleland Cricket Report

Four Matabeleland players have been accepted into the academy for 2001: Ian Coulson, Keith Dabengwa, Wisdom Siziba and Matthew Townshend (biographies to follow next week). With the Logan Club commencing in mid-February, the Academy is due to open in early January.

Matabeleland has made history by becoming the first province to have a lady umpire, Ms. Cavine Morgan, stand in the League. Ladies are beginning to take a more active role in local cricket circles with the formation of the Matabeleland Ladies Cricket Association, another first in Zimbabwe. Matches have been played against Northerns Under-19s, but the results showed much work needs to be implemented to improve. The ladies are however very keen and practise weekly at Queens Sports Ground while sponsorship for kit, etc., has been forthcoming. It is hoped that other provinces in Zimbabwe will endeavour to follow Matabeleland and begin raising other ladies' cricket teams.

Mr. Kevin Dabinett has resigned from the Matabeleland Board with effect from 1st December and current vice-chairman Roy Whiley will take over until the annual general meeting in July 2001. Mr. Dabinett has been highly instrumental in driving the ZCU to fund and allow the construction of the magnificent media and players' centre, now completed, at Queens Ground. He has accepted an appointment in Zambia. Maybe he could possibly assist in the revival of Zambian cricket.

Sales of seats at the top of the new presidents/players centre are gaining momentum following the recent visit by New Zealand and 125 seats out of 525 have now been sold. Queens Ground has now reached a high level of improvement from two years ago; players, press and match officials all state that the cricket facilities are well all the way to what is required for World Cup events. However, further expansion is necessary and about Z$7m may be required, with a new scoreboard a priority