Matabeleland cricket report

Matabeleland's Logan Cup season commenced over the weekend at Alexandra Sports Club in Harare and was severely curtailed by the weather, with only 53.3 overs possible in the three-day match.

Matabeleland, batting first, were in trouble after only three overs when Coventry was out not having settled and misjudging the pace of Watambwa. The wicket despite the wet weather was hard, but the bounce slow and, with a fair amount of lateral movement, aggressive strokeplay became difficult. Mark Vermeulen and Mluleki Nkala played positively and well and were beginning to push the scoring rate along when Vermeulen was bowled by a superb ball from Watambwa and Nkala out to a brilliant catch by the diminutive Tatenda Taibu, attempting to cut Viljoen.

With Matabeleland declaring at 128 for 8, the one positive display was the 20 with one six and a four from debutant and former Zimbabwe Under-19 player, Mecury Kenny. An indication of how the pitch changed over three days whenever play became possible was that the two Mashonaland spinners, Viljoen and Gripper, took four of the eight wickets to fall in only 10.3 overs for 32 runs.

Matabeleland and Manicaland meet in Bulawayo on 2, 3 and 4 March. Confirmation on the availability of the national captain Heath Streak is awaited.

BIOGRAPHY FOR KENNY
MECURY KENNY
D.O.B. 28 November 1979
BULAWAYO
SCHOOLS: ZENGEZA 4 /PRINCE EDWARD
DEBUT v MASHONALAND `A' 2000/2001
ZIMBABWE UNDER 19. 98 SEASON IN UK'99
CFX ACADEMY '99
RBH ROS.