Match report Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 2003/04 2nd Test day 1 by John Ward

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Scorecard:

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh

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"Which idiots arranged a tour for Zimbabwe in February?" That was one disgruntled comment after the first day’s play between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo was washed out without a ball being bowled.

 

February is the heart of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, and there are some years when cricketers have rarely been able to get on to the field between January and March. Even in a near-drought year, the chances of the weather interfering with cricket are considerable, and only superb drainage at Harare Sports Club allowed the First Test to be completed.

 

Bulawayo, in a dry area of the country, had received heavy rains for several days before the match, and more overnight rain saw the players arrive at the ground with the sun shining, but the southeast corner was almost a quagmire. Groundsman Noel Peck, who is confident that his pitch will play very true, believed it would take several hours of hot sun before there could be any chance of play.

 

The sun did indeed shine hotly and the prospects of a start in midafternoon would have seemed quite bright – had it not been for the clear evidence of more rain approaching. Fortunately the ground staff had plenty of warning to cover the pitch and also the troublesome corner of the field. The rain was quite heavy but not too prolonged, but it had been clear all the time that any more precipitation would prove fatal to Day One’s play. It was officially abandoned at 2 pm.

 

The weather forecast, to be relied upon at one’s own risk, is for better weather during the next few days. But if the pitch is as friendly to batsmen as it usually is, getting a result in the four remaining days may be unlikely.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 John Ward)