Matabeleland win by nine wickets in Harare

The inter-provincial one-day cricket tournament began with Manicaland hosting Mashonaland in Mutare, while Matabeleland and Midlands met on neutral territory at Harare Sports Club. Midlands were surprisingly insipid as they went down by nine wickets to Matabeleland, following up good bowling with an outstanding opening partnership between Charles Coventry and Mark Vermeulen.

At the start of the match in Harare, it looked very much as if ZCU threw a party and nobody came. There was a long queue in the ground as the match started, which made it look as if crowds were eager to get in. But the stands were almost deserted, and the crowds were not there for bread or petrol, either: they were buying World Cup tickets. The players were in coloured clothing (Matabeleland dark and light blue, Midlands dark blue and red) and music blared between the overs, but there were few to appreciate it - or otherwise.

Matabeleland won the toss and surprised by putting Midlands in to bat, as there was little or nothing in the shaven pitch, or in the weather, which was hot and sunny - none too common for January, which is usually in the middle of the rainy season. But Pommie Mbangwa's decision was to pay off.

Heath Streak, who has just returned to competitive cricket after his road accident in Sri Lanka, opened the bowling at just above medium-pace, concentrating at first on accuracy and gradually building up speed. His first contribution was as a fielder at long leg, easily pouching a lofted hook by Vusi Sibanda (4) off the bowling of Mluleki Nkala. A superb throw by Barney Rogers from the gully region removed Travis Friend (7), run out at the bowler's end by a direct hit, and Midlands were 31 for two.

Craig Wishart opened the batting for Midlands, a sign that this might be his role again in the World Cup. He nearly ran himself out on 17, as the accuracy of Streak and captain Pommie Mbangwa tied the batsmen down. But he was not able to take control, and with 29 to his credit he pulled Mbangwa to Charles Coventry near the midwicket boundary.

Doug Marillier and Sean Ervine concentrated on working the ball around the field for ones and twos, but the overall scoring rate barely touched four an over. The stranglehold remained as Ervine (20) holed out to long-off, with off-spinner Gavin Ewing claiming the wicket. In the 26th over Midlands were 100 for four.

When Streak came on again, Marillier drove him daringly through extra cover for two fours, and a fascinating duel developed. At the other end Gavin Rennie trapped Dirk Viljoen lbw for 10, and then another cover drive off Streak brought Marillier his fifty off 81 balls. But Streak came off, Nkala replaced him and Marillier immediately skyed a pull to midwicket to depart for 56.

The later batsmen scarcely looked like reaching a total of even 200, but thanks to some late hitting by English professional James Cornford (19) and Alester Maregwede (38). The final total was 222, with a tight run-out ending the innings with the last ball of the 50 overs. Nkala took three wickets for 46, but more impressive was Mbangwa's two for 27 off his nine overs.

Coventry and Vermeulen were soon batting as if the target was all too easy; in fact, over-confidence looked a danger as they both played several uppish attacking strokes not too far from the fielders. Midlands' international opening attack of Friend and Ervine held no terrors for them. Certainly they made run-scoring seem much easier than Midlands had done, and after ten overs the score was 93 without loss, with Coventry, despite picking up cramp that necessitated the use of a runner, actually outscoring Vermeulen.

Coventry, now hitting superbly, reached his fifty, mostly off bowlers with international records, off 38 balls and celebrated with a six into his own team's dressing room. Vermeulen quickly followed with his own fifty, off 53 balls, and the Midlands bowlers' spells tended to be short and sharp. Coventry looked set for a century when, on 86, his runner was run out attempting a second run and Matabeleland were 184 for one. In this new competition, it is a partnership record that could stand for a long time.

Gavin Rennie came in and played quietly, but there was not time for Vermeulen to reach his century. He finished with 86 not out when Rennie hit Ervine for the winning boundary, and it had proved surprisingly easy for Matabeleland.