Matebeland in charge thanks to Streak and Nkala hundreds

Day 3 of 4 Midlands 220 and 45 for 2 need another 326 runs to beat Matabeleland 161 and 429 (Streak 131, Nkala 124, Price 5-148)
Scorecard

Mluleki Nkala cracked an unbeaten century, his second in first-class cricket, and Heath Streak scored his fourth first-class hundred as Matabeleland raced to a commanding total on the third day of their Logan Cup clash against Midlands at Queens Sports Club.

Nkala, batting at No. 8, made an unbeaten 124 while Streak top-scored with 131 as Matabeleland piled on 479 in their second innings. Midlands closed on 45 for 2, still needing 326 to pull off an unlikely win.

Matabeleland resumed on 190 for 5 and soon lost Strydom caught at midwicket by Conan Brewer for 20. Nkala then joined Streak and the two accelerated the scoring with some aggressive strokes. Midlands used eight bowlers but Streak went on to reach his hundred after batting for 169 minutes, facing 220 balls and dispatching 11 fours.

Craig Wishart, bowling spin, finally removed Streak to a catch close-in by Terrence Duffin for 131. With Nkala he added 153 for the seventh wicket. Dabengwa joined Nkala and the two put on 50 for the eighth wicket before Dabengwa, on 39 fell to Raymond Price, caught by Duffin.

Nkala reached his century from 169 balls with eight fours and a six, but the last two men failed to score leaving him stranded. Price finished with 5 for 148 runs from 60 overs, there were two wickets for Ervine, while Friend and Wishart took one apiece.

Midlands' chase started badly when Vusumuzi Sibanda was clean bowled by Heath Streak with the second ball of the innings. Duffin and Wishart put on 45 for the second wicket before Duffin was caught by wicketkeeper Wisdom Siziba off Andre Hoffman for 23 off the last ball of the day.