Matabeleland overcome Midlands

Visitors Midlands finally succumbed to the highly rated Matabeles on the last of their Logan Cup match. After posting a formidable 380 on the first day, led by Craig Wishart and captain Doug Marillier, they could only watch as Mark Vermeulen scored 180 runs the next day, and put the home side four runs ahead as the last wicket fell.

The travelling side then let themselves down as they opened their second account. They lost two quick wickets for only 7 runs, and by the time the opening bowlers were getting tired they seriously needed help. Marillier did his part to try and steady the ship with his score of 55 off 74 balls, but never really got any support from anyone else. The lone battle ended when he was bowled by young spinner Iain Engelbrecht, who returned wonderful figures of 6/56.

After the Midlands posted their second innings total of 120 all out, Mat'land came out needing just 117 runs to win. And that's exactly what they scored. Young opener Charles Coventry led the way with a fine 35, and big-hitting Vermeulen chipped in with a valuable 24. Mluleki Nkala and Clement Mahachi finished it off after 34.4 overs, and thus the game was won. They did have a few scares as Raymond Price (17-6-36-5) went on a bowling rampage, taking five of the six batsmen to leave the crease. Midlands were taking catches all over the place, but did nothing to stem the steady flow of runs.

There were a few fine performances all round, most notable being the big scores by Vermeulen, Wishart and Marillier and the bowling of Price and Egelbrecht. Mat'land captain and Test hopeful 'Pommie' Mbangwa might feel a bit disappointend with his match, having scored only 5 in the first outing and not getting a chance to redeem himself today. Even his bowling, his strong point where national selection is concerned, was nothing to write home about. Nkala, the other Zim player, had a good game, bowling well and doing great work with the bat. Marillier probably has nothing to worry about, as he led from the front all throughout the game, with fine support from the ever-green Craig Wishart. After having to sit through two weekends of watching rain come down, cricket fans finally got a few games, and it was exciting stuff all round.