Visitors Midlands finally succumbed to the highly rated Matabeles on the last oftheir Logan Cup match

Joe Ruzvidzo12-Mar-2001Visitors Midlands finally succumbed to the highly rated Matabeles on the last oftheir Logan Cup match. After posting a formidable 380 on the first day,led by Craig Wishart and captain Doug Marillier, they could only watchas Mark Vermeulen scored 180 runs the next day, and put the home sidefour runs ahead as the last wicket fell.The travelling side then let themselves down as they opened their second account.They lost two quick wickets for only 7 runs, and by the time the opening bowlerswere getting tired they seriously needed help. Marillier did his part to try andsteady the ship with his score of 55 off 74 balls, but never really got any supportfrom anyone else. The lone battle ended when he was bowled by young spinnerIain Engelbrecht, who returned wonderful figures of 6/56.After the Midlands posted their second innings total of 120 all out, Mat’landcame out needing just 117 runs to win. And that’s exactly what they scored. Youngopener Charles Coventry led the way with a fine 35, and big-hitting Vermeulenchipped in with a valuable 24. Mluleki Nkala and Clement Mahachi finished it offafter 34.4 overs, and thus the game was won. They did have a few scares as RaymondPrice (17-6-36-5) went on a bowling rampage, taking five of the six batsmen toleave the crease. Midlands were taking catches all over the place, but did nothingto stem the steady flow of runs.There were a few fine performances all round, most notable being the big scores byVermeulen, Wishart and Marillier and the bowling of Price and Egelbrecht. Mat’landcaptain and Test hopeful ‘Pommie’ Mbangwa might feel a bit disappointend with hismatch, having scored only 5 in the first outing and not getting a chance to redeemhimself today. Even his bowling, his strong point where national selection isconcerned, was nothing to write home about. Nkala, the other Zim player, had agood game, bowling well and doing great work with the bat. Marillier probably hasnothing to worry about, as he led from the front all throughout the game, withfine support from the ever-green Craig Wishart. After having to sit through twoweekends of watching rain come down, cricket fans finally got a few games,and it was exciting stuff all round.