CFX Academy won toss and elected to bat

Gwynne Jones26-Mar-2000CFX Academy won toss and elected to bat.Weather overcast.Pitch devoid of grass and a little spongy.The new format for 1st Class cricket in Zimbabwe with 4provincial teams and the Academy, proposed by the Academy andadopted by the ZCU is proving to be an outstanding success. Thetalent in the former stronghold, Mashonaland, has now beendissipated to the provinces and the games are proving to behighly competitive and even contests. The Academy is now provingthat its existence is vital to the future of cricket in Zimbabwe.Already in this competition 8 out of the 9 centuries have beenscored by Academy or former Academy students.On this dead and low bounce pitch it was vital that the Academybatsmen play straight. Too many batsmen got themselves outplaying indiscriminate shots. However Greg Lamb, with hisabundant natural talent, rescued the Academy with, for him, apatient and well constructed century in 179 minutes off 156balls. Other than Lamb and Went, making his 1st class debut with37, this was a disappointing batting performance by the Academywho were bowled out for 191 in 78 overs.Manicaland, the log leaders, lost an early wicket but NeilFerreira, the most improved Academy player in 1999, continuedwhere he had left off in previous games with a solid start. TheAcademy fought back well, capturing 3 wickets before stumps weredrawn early due to bad light at 5.47pm.DAY 2Ferreira continued his inexorable compilation of runs in makinghis 3rd century in 4 matches. He continues to remind theselectors that he should receive national recognition. He wouldbe the perfect foil to the stroke players in the test side withhis tremendous powers of concentration and excellent defence. Itis indeed puzzling that a player of this calibre, performing sowell at 1st Class level has not been included in the 15 man Ateam squad to Sri Lanka. He is a more than adequate wicket-keeperand he must now be included in national teams. It is inexcusableto keep playing the same batsmen failing at test level when youngplayers are performing so well at 1st class level.The other Manicaland batters played good supporting roles toFerreira, who was eventually caught off Haakonsen, for 121 in 420minutes in 344 balls. Andy Whittall put bat to ball at the end ofthe innings before Manicaland were bowled out for 288 with a leadof 97 on 1st innings.The Academy opened their 2nd innings with King and the lefthanded Vaughan -Davies giving Maragwede respite from a long dayin the field with the gloves.Vaughan-Davies relished the opportunity scoring freely, finishingthe day on 33 out of 50, 47 runs behind with a day to go, losingthe wicket of King LBW to Whittal half an hour before stumps.Day 3The Academy started soundly taking no chances in overtakingManicaland’s 1st innings score. Lamb,the 1st innings centurymaker could not bat above No 7 after dislocating his leftshoulder yet again in the field. Went, also injured in the 1stinnings, also had to bat below 7. Maragwede fell LBW to theveteran John Brent when the score was 80 and the 17 year old”Dombo” Stone losing his wicket to a good catch at bat/pad offLawson for 6. Vaughan-Davies fell a few balls later to anoutstanding catch at deep gully off the bowling of Burmester.This was a good fighting innings by an enthusiastic and dedicatedyoung cricketer making 61 in 155 balls.Manicaland could now sense victory and applied the pressure. Atlunch the Academy were 37 ahead with 6 second innings wicketsstanding. However a good 5th wicket partnership between theAcademy captain Paul Strang and the talented all rounder TravisFriend removed the immediate danger. A thunderstorm threatenedand the players left the field at 14.05pm. Play resumed 50minutes later but with no further wickets being taken byManicaland the captains decided to call a halt to proceedings at3.55pm with the scare at 250 for 5, captain Strang undefeated on74 and Young on 26.Manicaland have made great strides in their quest to become atruly 1st Class province. With the inspiration of theirexperienced and competitive captain Mark Burmester, the secondinflux of Academy students next year and the distribution ofestablished test players to the provinces this province isassured of continuing to be one of the best sides in the country.