Midlands cricket report

This weekend Midlands take on Mashonaland `A' at the Kwekwe Sports Club. Midlands will have to improve on their batting which let them down in their second innings against Matabeleland in their last Logan Cup outing in Bulawayo, if they are wanting to compete against the much fancied Mash A bowling line-up.

Midlands are hoping to be boosted with the bowling services of Travis Friend who has been out with a back injury since returning from Australia with the National side. Brendan Vaughn-Davies has also recovered from a broken arm and will be available for selection.

The Midlands side has played some really good cricket at times, but their general lack of experience has hampered them somewhat. Once again Midlands will be relying in the batting skills of the in-form Craig Wishart and Doug Marillier, but are also hoping for more support from the other top-order batsmen.

A combination of the very wet weather, Logan Cup and the UCB Bowl Competition has slowed down the coaching of the schools in the Midlands. It is intended that the development program will recommence in April. Five schools have been earmarked to kick off the development scheme in the Midlands but unfortunately due to transport constraints these schools are in the Kwekwe area.

The five schools earmarked are Kwekwe High School, Kwekwe Primary School, Fitchlea Primary School, Sister Mary Ward Primary School and Mananure High School. The latter two schools are located in Mbizo high density suburb of Kwekwe.

A Stanbic and Rotary Club of Kwekwe sponsored development day is scheduled for July when the West Indies are in Kwekwe. The West Indies side have kindly agreed to take part in the development day so this is sure to be a memorable occasion for everyone in the Midlands.

The renovation of the changing room facilities at the Kwekwe Sports Club are expected to be completed this week in time for the Logan Cup match between Midlands and Mash A. The new improved changing rooms will include individual equipment storage space as well as separate showers and toilets for each team.