Ebrahim gives Mashonaland the advantage

Mashonaland 270 and 134 for 1 lead Matabeleland by 289 by 115 runs
Scorecard

Mashonaland, after conceding a first-innings lead of 19 to Matabeleland, followed this up with their usual trick. After lulling Matabeleland into a false sense of security, they killed them off second time round. At the close, they had reached 134 for 1.

Fifties from Gavin Ewing, an offspinning allrounder, rather belatedly given a chance at international level with his selection for the Australian tour, and CFX Academy graduate Greg Strydom gave Matabeleland a small lead. Ewing was particularly impressive, hitting 82 off 66 balls, which included 21 runs off an over from the wayward Andy Blignaut.

Blignaut took three wickets, though, as did Elton Chigumbura in Matabeleland's 279. In Mashonaland's second innings, the match lacked any true competitive spirit, as Dion Ebrahim, Brendan Taylor and Stuart Carlisle played soundly and without risk to make Mashonaland's grip on the game secure again.