Carlisle century puts writing on wall for Matabeleland
As expected, Mashonaland used the third day to recover from a regular first-innings aberration and turn the screws on the hapless Matabeleland team
John Ward
21-Sep-2003
Mashonaland 270 and 134 for 1 lead Matabeleland 289 by 115 runs
Scorecard
As expected, Mashonaland used the third day to recover from a regular first-innings aberration and turn the screws on the hapless Matabeleland team. The feature of the day was a monumental unbeaten 181 from Stuart Carlisle, his fourth century of the year out of seven in his 11 years in first-class cricket. Matabeleland, set 424 to win, struggled to 82 for three at the close.
From 134 for one overnight, Mashonaland ground their way to 442 for six, built around Carlisle's 6½ innings, before declaring. Matabeleland seemed resigned to defeat from the start, bowling a negative line outside off stump from the start and after tea putting nine fielders on the boundary to their spinners.
Carlisle's innings included 15 fours and 7 sixes. Dion Ebrahim made 70 before edging one of Mbangwa's width balls to the keeper, while there were useful contributions from Tatenda Taibu (31), Elton Chigumbura (32), Andy Blignaut (45) and Ryan Butterworth (29 not out).
There was time before the close for Mluleki Nkala to show real class with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 28, but his team faces a virtually hopeless task.