After six Logan Cup matches without a victory, Matabeleland finally came good with a four-wicket victory over Midlands at BAC over the weekend. Despite recent weather reports of heavy rain due to a cyclone in the Mozambique Channel, the weather remained fine and hot and an entertaining match could be played.

Matabeleland retained the same team from the previous match with both Streak and Rennie unavailable. Midlands won the toss and decided to bat. They were soon struggling at 64 for three, but then a fine partnership of 176 in 149 minutes between former Test player Craig Wishart and the most recent debutant Doug Marillier steadied Midlands who eventually declared at 380 for four.

Matabeleland's innings followed the same trend, being 74 for four at one stage, and then a 140-run partnership between Vermeulen and Nkala (51) allowed Matabeleland to reach 384, a lead of four runs. Vermeulen's 180 in 306 minutes and off 282 balls, with 28 fours and 1 six, follows his 197 against Midlands in Kwekwe last year. As he continues to make hundreds in all forms of cricket - League, Logan Cup and Zimbabwe `A' matches - serious questions are being raised as to his continued omission from the Zimbabwe Test and one-day sides.

Midlands struggled in their second innings to 120 all out with only Marillier making a meaningful contribution with 55. Ian Engelbrecht was the pick of the Matabeleland bowlers with six for 56 in 23 overs. With 117 required for victory in 45 overs, some relatively poor shot selection saw the home side losing six wickets in achieving their goal, with Coventry being the pick of the home side's batting. Price finished with five for 34, good figures in the context of the game, but a few were handed to him by impatient and careless batting.

Matabeleland travels to Harare to play Mashonaland on 23 to 25 March, the strongest opposition in the competition. With both Streak and Rennie being available, the side should show changes, with the main area of concern being the top-order batting which continues to fail, as the batsmen are unable to adapt to the longer form of cricket. The team is likely to be announced early next week.

© Cricinfo