Price fights back for Midlands

Manicaland 435 and 37 for 0 need a further 152 to beat Midlands 153 and 433
Scorecard

A magnificent maiden century by Raymond Price enabled Midlands, who had looked doomed to an innings defeat after the second day's play, to stage a remarkable fightback against Manicaland.

Midlands began the day almost 200 runs behind and with four second-innings wickets already gone. It had been thought that the key would lie with the overnight batsmen, allrounders Sean Ervine and Travis Friend. But they fell for 57 and 42 respectively, and the seventh wicket went down with Midlands still 39 runs in arrears.

At this point Price joined Maregwede and, although he has gone in at No. 11 for Zimbabwe, he took over the role of senior batsman, encouraging his partner and dominating the stand. Maregwede had a 40-run start, but Price reached his century before Maregwede fell for 90, and was left 117 not out when the innings closed for 433. Blessing Mahwire and Barney Rogers took three wickets each.

At the close Manicaland, needing 152 to win, were 37 without loss and should still wrap up the match, if a day later than they expected.