Matabeleland Cricket Report

Matabeleland cricket's change of fortunes over a period of two weekends has seen the `highs and lows of first-class cricket'.

Having been dismissed for 19 against Mashonaland in Harare the previous weekend, Matabeleland then scored 508 for 9 declared against the CFX Academy at Queens Ground in Bulawayo and the two scores are unique to Zimbabwe first-class cricket.

The total of 19 is the lowest first class score in Zimbabwe (previous 31 by Midlands against Mashonaland at Harare Sports Club last season) and the 24th-lowest score in all first class cricket (12 by Oxford University 1877 and Northamptonshire in 1907). The lowest in South Africa was Border's 16 against Natal first innings (second innings 18) in 1959-60.

However, both totals are the lowest and highest respectively for Zimbabwe provincial first-class cricket. The highest total in Zimbabwe matches is 602 by Griqualand West v Rhodesia at Zimbabwe 1929/30. The 508 for nine is the 15th-highest score in Zimbabwe first-class cricket.

The fifth wicket partnership between Nkala and Streak of 267 against the CFX Academy is the second highest after Goodwin and Andy Flower's unbroken 277 against Pakistan at Queens in 1997/98 for the same wicket.

Mluleki Nkala became the fourth youngest batsman to score a first-class century at 19 years and 364 days - a day before his 20th birthday - in Zimbabwe first-class cricket.