By John Ward

What can be said after a week during which Zimbabwe suffered the greatest humiliation in their international history? 38 all out against Sri Lanka! In certain countries the players would be liable to stonings on their return or public effigy-hanging - or enquiries into match-fixing. Zimbabwean cricket-followers merely content themselves with sarcasm and verbal contempt. [More]

CFX Academy: 2002 intake

Last week the names of 18 students for the 2002 CFX Academy intake were released. Unfortunately Academy coach Dave Houghton, who was deeply involved in the selection process, has gone on leave until the New Year, so I had to browse through the Academy files to find information about the successful applicants. [More]

LETTERS

TAKASHINGA SIMPLY A GOOD SIDE
I have been following domestic cricket, and have been to watch teams like Harare Sports Club, Universals, Alex and OGs, and I can certainly say our domestic cricket is now more exciting to watch than the national team. Three weeks ago I went to Eaglesvale to watch Takashinga v Macdonald, and the cricket I saw Takashinga play was just too good. I was convinced they can take on any side, even the Zimbabwe A team, and beat them. The boys are simply good cricketers.

I urge the selectors to attend Takashinga matches and take a serious look at players like Taibu, Gada, Manyande and Makoni. Gada and Manyande are quite consistent bowlers while Taibu and Makoni can beat that ball. The batting display I saw from Makoni raises more questions than answers. The guy is just aggressive and I am sure given the right exposure he can equally fit very well in the list of pinch-hitters for Zimbabwe A or national team.
Mathew Fox (Zimbabwe)

NEWS

Club cricket report
by Larry Moyo
THE current wet spell across the country has taken its toll on the National First League programme. Only one match, out of six, could be played during Week Seven of the current campaign. [More]

Manicaland report
by Nigel Fleming
Manicaland’s cricketers advanced closer to the top of the table with a crushing eight-wicket win over league leaders Kwekwe Sports Club at Mutare Sports Club last Sunday. Winning the league has assumed huge proportions for cash-strapped Manicaland with the generous prize money that comes with the title. [More]

Midlands report
by Michael Hudgson
The Kwekwe first team travelled to Mutare to play the Mutare Sports Club first team last weekend. When we arrived at the grounds on Sunday it was to find that only the wicket had escaped the effects of the rain that had fallen the previous day. The rest of the square was very sodden underfoot and the start of the game was delayed as the ground staff tried to do a patch-up job on the square, which consisted of covering large portions of the square with sawdust. [More]

From Winstonians to Takashinga
by Tristan Holme
Since the beginning of the new club cricket season, many a cricket supporter has asked the question as to why Old Winstonians had changed to a more traditional name of ‘Takashinga’. People have been wondering what the new name means, and also their current relationship with national wicket keeper/batsman, Andy Flower, who used to play for the club. [More]