Matabeleland follow on in Bulawayo

Gavin Ewing fought a lone battle as Matabeleland were forced to follow on on the third day of their Logan Cup match against Manicaland at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Ewing, batting at number six, hit a robust 148 runs as the hosts were all out for 432 in 105.1 overs in reply to the visitors' score of 650 for eight declared, failing by 68 runs to avoid the follow-on. In their second innings, Matabeleland closed on 152 for three off 35 overs. In the process, Ewing broke his personal batting record, which stood at 106 when he was left unbeaten in his debut match against Mashonaland at Bulawayo Athletic Club last season.

The home side resumed on 184 for four with Mluleki Nkala and Andre Hoffman the two men at the crease. Nkala failed to add to his overnight score when he was dismissed by Henry Olonga, adjudged leg before wicket for 20 runs. Hoffman and Ewing shared a sixth-wicket stand of 23 runs before Hoffman caught behind by wicketkeeper Neil Ferreira for 29 off a Gary Brent delivery.

Wisdom Siziba did not last long at the crease, scoring only ten runs before he was caught edging a ball into the slips by Alistair Campbell off the bowling of Blessing Mahwire. Matabeleland went in for lunch on 301 for seven off 78 overs.

Ewing reached the century mark after facing 142 deliveries, staying at the crease for 195 minutes and smashing 18 fours. He managed to build up some partnerships down the order and in the process the home side moved a closer to their target. The highest partnership down the order was between Ewing and Piet Rinke, which generated 89 runs. It seemed the two would carry the day for Matabeleland but it not to be, as Rinke was dismissed by Richard Sims, caught by Brent for 35 runs.

Ewing shared a 29-run partnership with Jordane Nicolle, with Nicolle playing a good anchor role and letting Ewing go for the runs. Ewing at one stage hit Sims for a well-timed six in his 24th over. Nicolle could score only five runs before being trapped leg before wicket by Mahwire.

Ewing was the last man to go out when Brent took his fourth wicket, having him caught behind by Ferreira. Matabeleland skipper Mpumelelo Mbangwa, who was batting with the aid of a runner owing to a pulled Hamstring, was left unbeaten with 12 runs to his name.

Brent and Mahwire were the pick of the Manicaland bowlers with a haul of four wickets each. Mahwire conceded 109 runs from 22 overs with four maidens, while Brent gave away 71 runs from 23.1 overs with eight maidens. Spinners Tinashe Ruswa and pace bowler Olonga took one wicket apiece.

In their second innings, following on, Matabeleland got off to a disastrous start when their opening pair of Gavin Rennie and Mark Vermeulen produced only eight runs before Brent dismissed Rennie, who had scored all the runs, caught at extra cover by Ruswa. Charles Coventry joined Vermeulen and the two hard-hitters shared a stand of 43 before Brent struck once again, dismissing Coventry for 13, having him caught at mid-wicket by Stuart Matsikenyeri.

Vermeulen was the third and last man to leave the field on the day when, soon after reaching his half-century, he was caught by Paul Strang off a Ruswa delivery for 54. Barney Rogers and Hoffman were still unbeaten with 46 and 16 runs respectively at the close. The game appears headed for a draw if the remaining Matabeleland can manage to occupy the crease for the better part of the day.