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Matabeleland hit back at Midlands
Joe Ruzvidzo - 11 March 2001
The Logan Cup match between Mat'land and Midlands has sported some exciting cricket, and there's no lack of big scores. Matabeleland started their chase in a shaky fashion, losing four wickets with only 74 runs on the board. At the end of the second day, they were all out, having scored 384 runs.
Neither opener got into double figures, so Matabeleland needed something special if they were to have a chance. They found it in Mark Vermeulen, who scored a long and patient 180 off 282 balls. He soldiered on for 5 hours after he was dropped whilst still on 7 runs. Valuable support came in the form of Mluleki Nkala, who came out and scored 51. Nkala was content with sitting around, choosing what to play, leaving the rest. The Matabeleland team played with patience, and earned their score total. Midlands, however, were not the most spectacular fielders, but they worked hard. Things seemed to be working out for them at lunch with the score on 4/122. Then, the day just dragged out as Matabeleland took 126 overs to get their 384, where Midlands took only 88 to get 380.
There was good bowling by Craig Wishart, who trapped Vermeulen lbw and returned figures of 4/50. Kenny, Strydom and Engelbrecht put in some good work, getting into the thirties. Matabeleland captain Mbangwa (5 runs) was unlucky, as he came out to a fantastic catch by Grant to give Wishart his fourth wicket.
© Cricinfo
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