Natal Under-19 in control despite Coventry heroics

Natal were still in the driving seat on the second day of their three-day game with Zimbabwe, despite losing one and a half hours to rain. Some splendid batting from Zimbabwean opener Charles Coventry could not prevent the home side from falling behind of first innings.

Coventry continued from where he left off yesterday, scoring 152 runs which included 15 fours and a six. He resumed at 73 and shared a first-wicket partnership of 133 with Michael Brundle, of which Coventry contributed 101. He survived several dropped catches and took advantage of some undisciplined bowling from the visitors.

The home side lost two early wickets in the morning to take their score to 206 for two at lunch. Opener Brundle was the first to go when he was caught by Madsen off the bowling of off-spinner Imran Khan. Andrew Durham followed later when he was clean bowled by Mhlongo.

After the rain the pitch seemed to turn a lot and gave an advantage to the spin bowlers, who utilized it well. Coventry finally ran out of luck when he was caught by Ravi Reddy off the bowling of Mhlongo. After his departure the Zimbabwean batting that had centred on him soon crumbled. Most of the other batsmen fell cheaply, with most failing to contribute meaningful scores; five of them failed to reach double figures.

Zimbabwe were finally bundled out for 292 in 89 overs, still 124 runs short of their target of 416 set by the visitors. The pick of the Natal bowlers was Imran Khan, the right-arm off-spinner, who took five for 76 in 28 overs.

In their second innings, the visitors lost three wickets and closed at 51 for three off 25 overs. Play will resume on the third morning with the visitors hoping to stretch their lead before declaring and setting the home side a target.