Match report day 4 Manicaland v Mashonaland Logan Cup 2003/04 by John Ward

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Scorecard:

Manicaland v Matabeleland

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Overnight: Manicaland (2) 0/0 off 0.2 overs (Matambanadzo 0*, Manyande 0*), needing 224 to win.
Lunch: Manicaland (2) 127/7 off 37 overs (Utseya 20*, Mwayenga 9*).

 

In a close and enjoyable match, played in good spirit, Matabeleland beat Manicaland by 16 runs at Mutare Sports Club. Matabeleland were always favourites as Manicaland’s top order crumbled, but a fine innings of 77 by Prosper Utseya threatened to take the match away from them.

 

Play began under a cloudy sky after a smattering of rain, but no more seemed to be imminent and the weather gradually began to clear. Manicaland suffered an early setback when the rock of their first innings, Norbert Manyande, fell in the second over without scoring, slicing an attempted drive to backward point off Mluleki Nkala; 2 for one. Innocent Chinyoka (6) did not last long before he skyed a hook off Nkala, to be caught by fine leg running in, and Manicaland were tottering at 22 for two. Matabeleland had their tails up now, scenting victory.

 

Andre Soma joined Darlington Matambanadzo and Manicaland began to fight back. But the batsmen never looked really secure, and the ball before drinks Soma (10) flicked airily at a leg-side ball from Tawanda Mpariwa, presenting a back-pedalling long leg with a catch. Then, just after the break, Matambanadzo drove right over the top of a full-length delivery from the same bowler and was comprehensively bowled for 44. At 62 for four and not much batting to come, Manicaland were on their way out and with mainly themselves to blame.

 

Leon Soma (6) was next to go, trying to hit Nkala back over his head but only skying a catch to mid-off. Manicaland’s final faint hope lay with their captain Blessing Mahwire, but he was beaten and bowled by a ball from Nkala that removed his off stump; he made 16 and Manicaland were 90 for six.

 

Stanley Chioza made 8 before foolishly padding up to a straight ball from Keith Dabengwa and being trapped palpably lbw, making Manicaland seven wickets down at lunch. Afterwards, Allan Mwayenga (20), after a stand of 43 with Prosper Utseya, popped up the easiest of catches to mid-off off Dabengwa, but Utseya was finally showing, once it was too late, the batting talent that he has rarely reproduced in Logan Cup cricket. He reached a fine fifty off 61 balls, driving impressively, and was given more good support from Adiel Kugotsi, who scored a valuable 9 before becoming another lbw victim, to Mpariwa.

 

With sound defensive support from last man Marvin Vogel, a cricketer even smaller in stature than Tatenda Taibu, Utseya attacked the bowling. He scored more than half the 37 needed by the last pair when he drove Mbeke Mabuza and deepish mid-on finished the match with a running catch. It was good to hear Manicaland manager and umpire Kevan Barbour compliment the Matabeleland team on their fine sportsmanship and attitude throughout the match.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 John Ward)