Matabeleland begin their daunting task of scoring 445 runs to avoid follow on

Matabeleland began their daunting task of scoring 445 runs to avoid the follow-on the second day of their Logan Cup against Mashonaland. The visitors declared their innings at 644 for nine off 142 overs, with the home side finishing with 197 for five at the close of the second day's proceedings.

Mashonaland resumed at 427 for six and lost three wickets before declaring their first innings closed. Blessing Mahwire was the first to go when he was dismissed by spinner Gavin Ewing; the ball hit his pad and came off the bat, presenting Ryan King with a catch at silly point. Mahwire was dismissed for 44 runs in the 13th over of the day.

Mashonaland captain Angus Mackay produced his usual aggressive batting, taking advantage of some tame bowling by the home attack which was also let down by poor fielding. He took the innings as he might take batting practice, hitting the bowlers in all directions and punishing the home side after he was dropped three times by Matthew Townshend.

Mackay turned the Mashonaland innings into a batting training session, hitting the young bowlers all over the park while sharing an eighth-wicket stand of 105 runs with Donald Campbell before the latter was trapped lbw by Gavin Ewing for 79, which included 15 fours. Mackay displayed an array of beautiful strokes that saw him reach his maiden first-class century with a six that went over mid-off. He finally ran out of luck when he was caught by Mike McKillop off the bowling of Strydom for 108 off just 47 balls, which included 10 sixes and 8 fours. His century, reached off only 45 balls, was one of the fastest in the history of first-class cricket, the record being 34 balls by Australia's David Hookes.

The visitors finally declared their innings closed four overs after lunch with Patrick Gada and Simon Seager unbeaten on 16 and 15 respectively. Greg Strydom was the pick of the Matabeleland bowlers with four for 134, recording three maidens in his 25 overs.

The Matabeleland team suffered a setback in their quest to reach the required 445 to avoid the follow-on as they lost most of their specialist batsman cheaply. Opener Wisdom Siziba was the first to depart when he was dismissed by Mackay, edging to first slip where he was caught by an alert Ryan Butterworth to depart for 31 runs. Captain Ryan King and Mecury Kenny lifted the home side's innings before Kenny was stumped by wicketkeeper Donald Campbell for 57 runs, having left his crease for a delivery from Craig Evans.

Warren Gilmour did not last as he skied a catch for Kudzai Taibu off the bowling of Darlington Matambanadzo to depart without scoring. Captain Ryan King was the fourth wicket to fall when he was trapped lbw by Matambanadzo for 44 runs. The home side lost their last wicket of the day when Greg Strydom was given out lbw to Barney Rogers for 38 runs.