Matebeland Report

Local league resumed in Bulawayo and to start the new year a few shocks were evident. Queens, who has provided the bulk of the Logan Cup squad, lost to underdogs Bulawayo Sports Club by 10 runs. Although both sides were missing key players, Queens Mbangwa and Nkala and BSC Mahachi and Dabengwa, there should be sufficient depth to cover. The standard of cricket and the result were somewhat disappointing.

Macdonald Club, who did so well last season, are struggling this season and lost to Crescents by 82 runs, while at BAC the home side beat the young Bulawayo Development side by three wickets in a match that was marred by some unsporting tactics by the Development captain Chris Phiri, which is a sad side of the game when a young side develops these habits. It will no doubt lead to disciplinary action by the MCA.

Meanwhile the Logan Cup squad for the forthcoming Logan Cup has been announced and the squad contains no real surprises. Queens players dominate the 16-man squad which is as follows:

Pommie Mbangwa, Mluleki Nkala, Ryan King, Greg Strydom, Neil van Rensburg, Gavin Ewing, Matthew Townshend, Warren Gilmour (all Queens), Keith Dabengwa, Clement Mahachi, Dash Vaghmaria, Mecury Kenny (all BSC), Jason Hitz, N. Mkondiwa, C. Williams (all BAC) and Wisdom Siziba (Macdonald Club).

Ian Engelbrecht, who was the leading wicket-taker last year, was not considered as he is leaving shortly for the UK where he intends furthering his cricket career.