Matabeleland report

With the tour by the Australians postponed, the ZCU moved the fixture against Mashonaland A from the weekend of 29 March to 1 April to that of 19 to 23 April, and Manicaland requested a change of dates, moving their game a week later to this weekend, this being due to players being away in Namibia and the Under-19 Festival Week. Although slightly disruptive, this has allowed the Matabeleland team a slight break and a chance to overcome some niggling injuries.

The side to travel to Mutare shows two changes from the drawn match against the Academy, with Mecury Kenny and `Pom' Mbangwa replacing Tawanda Mapariwa and Norman Mukandiwa. Former national captain Streak is still unavailable but should be fit to play in the final game of the season.

Matabeleland will name their side on the morning of the match and players with a chance of being twelfth man are Kenny, Mahachi or maybe King, the latter having failed to make any impression with the bat this season, and probably lucky to be named in the team.

The bowling will rest with the three seamers; namely, Mbangwa, Townshend and Strydom, with the spinners Dabengwa and Ewing making up the five-man attack. Should any further bowlers be required, McKillop, who is having a dream season, could well fill the slot, as could Kenny should he play.

The batting will revolve around the ever-reliant Siziba, the sometimes impetuous Strydom, Ewing and Walker, while the talented captain Williams could well find the form he is renowned for and cause Manicaland some headaches. Walker in his second game could well continue with his form and is another talented player capable of making a sound contribution.

The Matabeleland side has talent and there is no reason why they should be so far down the table, no doubt due to the whole side not performing to its ability at once. The Mutare Sports Club wicket is likely to be in favour of the batsmen and some high scores should be the order of the day, with no likelihood of rain, which due to the prevailing drought conditions has not affected any games this season.