da esport bet： Mutare Sports Club celebrated its inaugural first-class matchrather wetly, and less than half of the first day’s play waspossible, only that due to superb work on the part of the localauthorities
John Ward17-Mar-2000Mutare Sports Club celebrated its inaugural first-class matchrather wetly, and less than half of the first day’s play waspossible, only that due to superb work on the part of the localauthorities. Manicaland, put in to bat, finished the day on 102for two.Despite some wet days during the week, the ground had remainedfairly dry, thanks largely to the new extensive covers bought bythe club. However, on the eve of the match there was steady rainfor most of the night which left a fair portion of the lower endof the ground in standing water. Play looked quite unlikely onthe first day, but Manicaland player Steve Lawson runs a swimmingpool business and got his pumps to work, while the ground staffand local officials worked hard, the boundary was brought in onone side and the sun shone intermittently. Conditions were stillnot good, but since the sides are predominantly amateur they werekeen to play if at all possible! Play was scheduled to start at2.15, but more rain seemed to be approaching and the start wasdelayed in anticipation of it, which would have been disastrous.Fortunately it blew away, and the players eventually took thefield at three o’clock.Gus Mackay, replacing Trevor Penney who had returned toWarwickshire in the team and taking over as captain, won the tossand decided to field, despite the likelihood of a wet ball. Alsonew to the Mashonaland team were Darlington Matambanadzo and Garydu Plessis, replacing Brad Robinson and Brighton Watambwa.Manicaland were strengthened by the return of the Whittallcousins, although Guy cannot yet bowl, in place of James Sparrowand Brian James, who became twelfth man.Everton Matambanadzo bowled Mutare Sports Club’s inauguralfirst-class delivery, and Neil Ferreira turned it to long leg fortwo. Runs came slowly after that, even though the bowlingsometimes lacked accuracy. The outfield was naturally slow afterall the rain, and also due to the fuel crisis it had not beenproperly cut, so the grass was thick. One fielder early onslipped on a wet patch at midwicket and took a nasty tumble.Tea was declared to have been taken before the match started,which left potentially a three-hour session of 45 overs, lightand weather permitting. Ferreira and Patrick Gada put on 28 forthe first wicket before Gada (13) pushed forward to a deliveryoutside off stump from du Plessis and edged a catch to keeper DonCampbell.Mark Burmester soon brought a greater air of aggression to thebatting, driving and pulling powerfully when he received a looseball, but often failing to get full value for his strokes. Heovertook the watchful Ferreira in the twenties, but fell with hisscore on 39. As he tried to reverse-sweep Viljoen – the firsttime he had ever attempted the shot in a match, he said – theball looped over the keeper’s head, and Campbell ran back tocatch it; he was given out perhaps controversiallyThis slowed the scoring rate, as Brent came in as night-watchmanand played for the close. Ferreira kept chugging along, relyingon nudges and pushes with an occasional cut or sweep, andManicaland were 102 for two at the close (Ferreira 39, Brent 5).But more rain is very possible tomorrow.