Match report day 1 Matabeleland v Mashonaland, Logan Cup 2003/04 by Mehluli Sibanda

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Scorecard:

Matabeleland v Mashonaland

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ZIMBABWE senior national team batsman Dion Ebrahim scored a century for Mashonaland, who remained in the lead on the first day of their inter-provincial Logan Cup match against Matabeleland at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.

 

Ebrahim, who opened the batting, scored 121 runs from 195 balls with 21 fours in 292 minutes at the crease as Mashonaland, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, were bowled out for 285 in 88.4 overs. Matabeleland were still 267 runs behind as they closed on 18 without loss.

 

Play got under way 32 minutes late due to a wet pitch. The opening pair of Ebrahim and Eric Chauluka got off to a good start and kept the score rate at over three runs an over. Their partnership yielded 83 runs when Chauluka was caught at bowled by young pace bowler Tawanda Mupariwa for 30 runs.

 

Johnson Marumisa joined Ebrahim and the two took Mashonaland to 104 for the loss of one wicket in 24.4 overs at lunch when the rains forced the players off the field seven minutes before lunch. Ebrahim had earlier on got his half-century off 59 balls with eleven fours in 104 minutes at the crease.

 

Mupariwa claimed his second wicket when he had Marumisa caught by Keith Dabengwa for 22 runs. Mashonaland skipper Tatenda Taibu failed to open his account when he became Mupariwa’s third victim, caught by Simba Kusano for a duck.

 

Ebrahim shared in a fourth wicket stand of 59 runs with Tafadzwa Mufambisi before the latter was dismissed by young paceman Thabo Mboyi, caught by Mbekezeli Mabuza for 30 runs. After facing 129 balls, dispatching 19 fours in 201 minutes at the crease, Ebrahim got his century.

 

Matabeleland skipper wiped out the Mashonaland lower order with the only other meaningful contribution coming from Luther Mutyambizi who scored an unbeaten 27. Streak finished with four wickets at the expense of 49 runs with five maidens in 16.4 overs while Mupariwa had remarkable figures of three for 33 runs in 17 overs with five maidens. Off spinner Gregory Strydom, pace bowler Mboyi and left arm spinner picked up one wicket apiece.

 

In reply to the visitor’s first innings, the home side had their opening pair of Wisdom Siziba and Mbekezeli Mabuza 12 and six respectively with the score on 18 for no loss in seven overs.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Mehluli Sibanda)