By John Ward

One of the main topics of conversation in Zimbabwe cricket at present, especially among the players, is the structure of domestic cricket. All the international players I have spoken to about this subject over the past few months have been unanimous that the present structure is not serving the needs of the game in the country as it is today. So have CFX Academy director Gwynne Jones and coach Dave Houghton. [More]

INTERVIEWS

David Ellman-Brown - Part 2

We continue our two-part interview with Zimbabwe Cricket Union chief executive Dave Ellman-Brown, turning our attention to the domestic game in Zimbabwe.

One of the difficulties of a chief executive's job is that he cannot be everywhere at once - but Dave Ellman-Brown of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union certainly does his best. He has done a remarkable job on the international front, as Zimbabwe has been able to play much more cricket at the top level since he took over the reins, and he has doubtless been at least partly responsible for getting Zimbabwe a 'good deal' in the ICC ten-year plan. He is less involved, but nevertheless very concerned, with the domestic scene, where he appears to be getting less than full support and commitment from some of the provincial associations, most notably Mashonaland. [More]

BIOGRAPHY

Sean Ervine
Sean Ervine has a superb cricketing pedigree, with a father (Rory) and uncle (Neil) who both played first-class cricket for Rhodesia B during the seventies and a grandfather who represented the national schools team. Naturally his father introduced him to the game at a very young age on the family farm, in northern Mashonaland, and he soon developed his talents at Bryden Primary School near Chegutu. He played for the school colts team, with and against boys mainly three years his senior, in Grade Two, and was promoted to the senior side two years later. [More]

Patrick Gada
Patrick Gada, Academy student in 1999, is one of the most promising young black batsmen in Zimbabwe. Some rate him higher than Trevor Madondo, perhaps not so much by way of ability, but more through his attitude and self-discipline. He is a pleasant and quietly-spoken young man who deserves to go far in the game. Like most black players at the present, Patrick has no family background in cricket, although his family has always been very enthusiastic about soccer.

Kingsley Went
Kingsley Went, who lives in Mutare and plays for Manicaland, was one of the 2000 students at the CFX Academy. He is a promising top-order batsman and wicket-keeper. After completing his course at the Academy he was posted back to Mutare to play for and coach in the province. Despite being born in Harare, Kingsley has lived all his life in Mutare, although his mother came to Harare briefly for his birth to be sure of the best available medical facilities. He comes from pioneer stock, one of his ancestors being the well-known Kingsley Fairbridge, to whom there is a memorial in the city of Mutare. [More]

Alec Taylor
One of the oldest students to have passed through the CFX Academy was the Manicaland seam bowler Alec Taylor, who came through rather late in 2000 at the age of 24. Alec grew up on a farm in the Bvumba Mountains, near Mutare in the Zimbabwe eastern highlands, where his parents moved soon after he was born. His father comes from Northern Ireland where he played some cricket, and he was fortunate in having a very keen cricketer in John Rawlings as a neighbour who gave him much help and encouragement. He remembers playing a lot in the garden with his father when he was young. [More]

Jason Young
...is an all-rounder who is currently coaching and playing cricket in Manicaland after two years at the CFX Academy in Harare. Although generally regarded more as a bowler who can bat, it was with the bat that he impressed most on his first-class debut in the Logan Cup for the Academy against the strong Mashonaland team during 1999/2000. [More]

INTERVIEW

All out 19: Bryan Strang tells the story

Interview by John Ward

Last weekend Matabeleland set a new record for first-class cricket when they were dismissed for just 19 runs in their second innings against Mashonaland on the new square at Harare Sports Club. Left-arm swing bowler Bryan Strang took five wickets for six runs in this debacle, while his opening partner Eddo Brandes took five for 12. Bryan talks to CricInfo about this match, and also about his tour with the national side and his views on Zimbabwean cricket. [More]

DOMESTIC

Manicaland Report
By Nigel Fleming
Neil Ferreira has taken over as full-time captain of Manicaland and his first game in that role has resulted in a victory. Mark Burmester, our former World Cup player and long-time skipper, decided during the week to pass the baton and leave the teams affairs in youthful hands. The resurgent Gary Brent moves up to vice-captain, being one of only three in the side over the age of 23. Mark will continue to play for another season or two and his knowledge will surely help guide the new order. [More]

Midlands v Mashonaland 'A'
by Colin Sanders
The Mashonaland A captain Everton Matambanadzo won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that traditionally does not offer much to the bowlers. After a solid opening partnership between Dion Ebrahim (21) and Trevor Gripper (44), the Mashonaland A side soon lost their way. A mixture of some good bowling and poor shot selection soon saw the Mashonaland A side struggling at 118 for eight. A fine ninth-wicket partnership of 122 runs between Tatenda Taibu and David Mutendera helped the batting side eventually reach 248 all out. [More]

LETTERS

Harare's best kept secret
It was a real shame that so few people witnessed Mashonaland's record-breaking defeat of Matabeleland on Sunday. Support for the Slogan Cup (Secret Logan Cup) matches played in Harare this year is shocking. I lay all the blame at the ZCU's door. Entrance is free but nobody knows about the games! If the ZCU don't feel they can spend the money on advertising, the least they can do is telephone a few schools encouraging the children to come and watch. Shame on you, ZCU!

Jane Playne (Zimbabwe)

Reply: ZCU say it is the provinces' responsibility to promote the matches, and they are indeed much better attended in Mutare and Kwekwe than in Harare. It is time the Mashonaland Cricket Association pulled their finger out.

STATISTICS

Logan Cup 2000-01: current log & averages [More]

Guy Whittall in Test Cricket [More]

Guy Whittall in One-Day Internationals [More]