By John Ward

I am writing after the first day’s play of the First Test match between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh at Dhaka. There is plenty of food for thought here, with Bangladesh 107 all out and Zimbabwe 20 for two at the close. It would appear that the pitch has played a major part in the proceedings; it was apparently still damp after rain when play finally began just before lunch, but I have not yet read any reports of its condition later in the day. The scores would seem to indicate that it was still very much in favour of the bowlers. [More]

INTERVIEW

Brighton Watambwa: Board XI v North West B
Brighton Watambwa burst into the limelight with some impressive pace-bowling performances for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh and India, but then broke down with a leg injury and hasn’t played for the country since. He is tall, lean and ungainly-looking, and his legs have not stood up to the strain of fast bowling. But he is now beginning to play again, and talks to John Ward about his ups and downs during the past few months and also about his recent outing with the Zimbabwe Board XI against North West.[More]

BIOGRAPHY

Charles Coventry
At the moment, Charles Coventry junior, generally known as ‘Chappie’, is most famous for being the youngest-ever Zimbabwean first-class cricketer. At the age of 15 years and 303 days he played, unexpectedly, for Matabeleland against Mashonaland in the Logan Cup match on his home ground, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC), and actually produced the third-highest score of the innings, 33. [More]

LETTERS

DOUGIE MARILLIER
I would like to say how proud I am of young Douggie. I played with him and his brothers Eian and the effervescent young Stevie at [Harare] Sports Club in the late Nineties. I remember with great horror the day I was told that Douggie was in a car accident, broke both legs and might never play cricket again. I want to say to you, Douggie, well done, buddy.

I still brag to my new mates here in England about that night in Perth, the last over, against McGrath. That summed it up for me, a true fighter, and a young man who will give it 10000% everywhere.

Now just recently, reading the match report against Pakistan in Sharjah, I quote: "Using the old-fashioned long handle to good effect, Marillier tonked the bowling around for 37 but could only delay the inevitable. As entertaining a knock as any played on the day, Marillier’s innings showed that the lad had more than a bit of fighting spirit in him."

Douggie, I am happy for you, well done and keep it up.

What is young Stevie up to... blasting batsmen away???
Graeme Johnstone-Robertson (England) [More Letters ]

Winning start for Board XI
by Larry Moyo
THE Zimbabwe Board XI got off to a flying start in this season’s United Cricket Board of South Africa Bowl competition with wins over North West B in both the three-day and one-day matches played at Fochville from November 2. [More]

National League, Round 3
After finishing at the bottom of the first league last season, having won just two matches, Takashinga have surprised even themselves with a fairy-tale start to the 2001/2 national league season. Takashinga are now the only team with a 100 per cent record after the third round of matches following a comfortable 63-run win over Macdonald Club in Bulawayo. National Under-19 wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu led the visitors’ batting with a blistering 82 off 84 balls, while captain Rangarirai Manyande contributed 58 as Takashinga were dismissed for 235 in 50 overs. [More]

Matabeleland Report
By Derrick Townshend
The national league continued and the weekend was not a happy one for Bulawayo as far as the results show. Macdonald Club visited Harare and went down to the ever-improving Takashinga team (formerly Winstonians) by 63 runs. Chasing 235, Mac Club could muster only 172 as their poor season form continues. National team player Tatenda Taibu scored a fluent 82 off 84 balls and certainly stood out as the player of the day. [More]

Manicaland Report
By Nigel Fleming
Manicaland suffered their first defeat of the season at Mutare Sports Club last Sunday when they lost to Harare Sports Club by 21 runs. Without their three national players they always looked off the pace and came close more by accident than good planning. A disappointingly small home crowd watched Manicaland fall into the underdog demeanour of old, overawed by big-name opposition and refusing to believe in themselves until the cause was lost. [More]

Midlands Report
By Michael Hudgson
The Kwekwe first team had a home game against Old Georgians on Sunday 4 November. The visitors batted first and scored 274 for six in their allotted 50 overs. Gus MacKay was the highest scorer with 57 runs, followed by Lance Malloch-Brown with 48 runs. Best of the six Kwekwe bowlers who were used was Dave Houghton who took two for 30 in six overs, John Vaughan-Davies 2/49 and Pete Albasini 2/50 in their allotted 10 overs. [More]

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