Zim Domestic - Dunlop National First League, New recruit blossoms (3 Nov 1997)

3 November

Zim Domestic - Dunlop National First League, New recruit blossoms

By Jahoor Omar

New recruit Andy Flower scored more than half his side's runs in Universals' comfortable 70-run victory over Old Miltonians in a Dunlop National First League match at Universals yesterday.

In his first season for the Ridgeview-based side since his move from Old Georgians, the 29-year-old former Zimbabwe captain hit an unblemished 132 in his side's 256-6 off 50 overs in the morning.

The left-handed opener hit 17 fours and a six and never, at any stage, looked in any discomfort against a strong Old Miltonians attack featuring four Zimbabwean bowlers in Henry Olonga, getting much need match fitness after suffering a chipped bone in his left hand, John Rennie, Andrew Whittall and Heath Streak, admittedly bowling at half pace.

Flower also put on 47 for the second wicket with another former national team player, Ali Shah, who hit 33, and 94 for the third with diminutive Ebrahim Essop-Adam.

With Universals virtually back at full strength following the return of most of their Zimbabwe players from international duty they had half the Old Miltonians team back in the pavilion with less than 100 on the board.

But a belligerent 47 from all-rounder John Rennie delayed the inevitable for the Bulawayo side who folded nonetheless for 186 with more than six overs to spare to give Universals their first win in two starts.

Champions Alexandra also won their first game in the competition, bouncing back from defeat against Old Georgians last month in their opener to beat Manicaland by four wickets with one ball to spare in a high-scoring encounter.

Bryan Strang, who left Old Hararians at the end of last season, hit a six off the penultimate over and the winning run off the penultimate ball for his new side who made 296-6, largely on the back of a fine third wicket stand of 193 between Trevor Stoole, who hit 123, and Tim Bartlett (90). Manicaland had earlier posted 295, with Bradley Robinson scoring 54.

At Old Hararians, the hosts cruised home by six wickets with more than 13 overs to spare while home team Harare Sports Club I were equally emphatic 106-run winners over Old Georgians.

Scores

Universals v Old Miltonians Universals 256-8 (A Flower 132, A Shah 33, E Essop-Adam 26; A Huckle 2-54, A van Rensburg 2-6). Old Miltonians 186 (J Rennie 47, B Clarke 29, A Whittall 29; K Burki 2-32, Sharah 2-27, A Campbell 2-3). Universals won by 70 runs.

Manicaland v Alexandra Manicaland 295 (B Robinson 54, M Burmester 32, K Ziehl 39, J Brent 61; B Strang 2-45, D Goodwin 2-46). Alexandra 296-6 (T Stoole 123, T Bartlett 90; M Stevenson 5-65). Alexandra won by four wickets.

Old Hararians v Harare Sports Club II Harare Sports Club II 179-6 (J Jameson 69, T Hughes 28, R Croxford 56; G Brent 3-36). Old Hararians 185-4 (T Stead 22, D Viljoen 28, Brebt 33, T Penney 36no, D Houghton 29no; J Young 3-21). Old Hararians won by six wickets.

Harare Sports Club I v Old Georgians Harare Sports Club I 279-5 (K Davies52, M Vermeulen 107, J Oates 68; C Evans 2-60). Old Georgians 173 (D Joshi 52no, L Mallet-Brown 27; B Watambwa 2-43, G Martin 2-17, Vermeulen 3-33). Harare Sports Club I won by 106 runs.

Source: The Herald (Harare) 3 November 1997