Mashonaland in charge at Bulawayo

A century by former Zimbabwe international Craig Evans propelled Mashonaland towards a huge total on the first day of their Logan Cup match against Matabeleland at Bulawayo Athletic Club.

After winning the toss, Angus Mackay chose to have first use of a good batting pitch. His decision paid dividends as his side raced to a score of 427 for six at the close of play.

The opening pair of Lance Malloch-Brown and Ryan Butterworth struggled in the first stages of the innings due to the pressure applied by the home bowlers. However they settled in and started accumulating runs. Their partnership produced 82 runs before Butterworth was dismissed by medium-pacer Greg Strydom, caught behind by wicketkeeper Warren Gilmour to depart for 36 runs off 54 balls.

Strydom grabbed two quick wickets in the space of two overs. He dismissed Malloch-Brown with a yorker that sliced through the middle stump, to send him back for 43 which included eight boundaries. He claimed his last wicket of the day when he caught Kudzai Taibu with a leg break that hit the off stump to dismiss the younger brother of Zimbabwean international Tatenda for no runs in the 18th over.

Evans then joined in the hunt for the runs with support from Barney Rogers. The two shared a partnership of 162 runs, of which Evans contributed 66 while Rogers weighed in with 96 runs. Evans produced some aggressive batting, getting off the mark with a six that went over cover.

The visitors took their score to 167 for three at lunch, off 41 overs. After the interval, Evans continued his heroics but lost his partner Rogers for 96 when he was bowled by spinner Mecury Kenny. Evans continued to attack, frustrating the home bowlers, until spinner Gavin Ewing claimed his important wicket shortly after tea break. Evans was caught at fine leg by Matthew Townshend to end an innings that saw him stand at the crease for 231 minutes and in the process smash nine fours and five sixes off 194 balls.

The visitors lost Darlington Matambanadzo before Blessing Mahwire and Campbell ended the day unbeaten on 43 and 8 respectively. The pick of the Matabeleland bowlers was Strydom, who had been brought into the team primarily as a batsman. The medium-pace bowler took three for 94 in 16 overs with one maiden. Ewing, Kenny and Norman Mukondiwa took a wicket each.

Play resumes this morning with the visitors aiming to reach a big total before they consider declaring. Mackay was earlier quoted as saying that they were aiming to score 600 runs.