Gavin Ewing stars for Matabeleland after innings and 77 run win

Matabeleland had a surprisingly easy day of it at Kwekwe Sports Club as Midlands crumbled in the afternoon session and handed them a handsome victory by an innings and 77 runs. Gavin Ewing had another fine day with seven wickets in the Midlands second innings.

Midlands began the day on 244 for four, still 354 runs behind Matabeleland and with six wickets in hand. The weather, although still mostly sunny, had developed a rather chilly crosswind, but the bowlers rarely seemed able to take advantage of it. The overnight batsmen, Dirk Viljoen and Don Campbell, made a scratchy start, and Campbell especially seemed to have a charmed life, several times fishing outside the off stump as Jordane Nicolle maintained a teasing line, but without getting a touch, and also survived a couple of close lbw shouts.

Finally, though, he took a wild swing at Piet Rinke and was caught at first slip for 26, reducing Midlands to 279 for five. Realistically, Midlands' main hope of avoiding the follow-on lay with Viljoen, who was approaching his second career century with great caution. He was most unlucky to miss it; he was struck on the thigh by a ball from Norman Mukondiwa, which bounced above his head, causing him to duck, only for the ball to hit his body and rebound on to the stumps. He had made 95, and Midlands' hopes of avoiding the follow-on, if it were enforced, looked bleak.

In his next over Mukondiwa missed quite a simple return catch from Colin Delport (then 14), who tried to pull a ball and lobbed back a chance just above head-height off the toe of his bat. Then came another incident that is symptomatic of the growing spirit of anarchy in Zimbabwe cricket that tends to be treated with kid gloves by the authorities. David Mutendera (17), attempting a hook off Mukondiwa, was given out caught at the wicket, but for a long time refused to leave the crease, standing there with his head down for the best part of a minute before finally crawling off with the next batsman halfway to the pitch. There have been several controversial umpiring decisions given in this match, but players are getting away with behaviour that would be totally unacceptable in a Test match.

In the next over Delport (21) was yorked by Rinke, in whose next over Ian Coulson was caught at the wicket, which reduced Midlands to 344 for nine. A brief final flurry ended with Sherezad Shah caught in the slips off Rinke, and Midlands were all out for 358. Rinke, who generally bowled well although at times putting the ball well wide of the stumps, finished with five for 56.

Matabeleland duly enforced the follow-on, and Midlands were soon struggling again after lunch. Piet Rinke made another strike to have opener Vusi Sibanda caught in the gully off a lifting delivery without scoring. Then Terry Duffin settled into a steady partnership with Luther Mutyambizi, putting on 49 before the latter (18) drove a return catch to Gavin Ewing.

Duffin, normally quite a solid batsman, surprised with a magnificent six over long-off off Ewing, but the bowler struck back, trapping him lbw for 39. This brought together Dirk Viljoen and Alester Maregwede, the top scorers of the first innings, but they were not to enjoy a repeat performance.

Three wickets fell in the fifteen minutes before tea as Midlands apparently voted in favour of a free Monday. Maregwede scored 26 confident runs before playing back perhaps rather casually to Ewing and finding the ball rebounding on to his stumps, not long before tea. Viljoen quickly followed for 16, caught possibly off the back of his bat in the gully as he tried to sweep Barney Rogers, and finally Campbell (4) drove a tame return catch to Ewing on the stroke of tea.

The trend continued, with apparently not even pride to play for on the parts of some batsmen. Mutendera was bowled behind his legs for 4, while Delport (6) chipped a catch to midwicket. Sherezad Shah showed more determination, playing some classy strokes, and Anthony Ireland wanted to make the most of his debut innings, hitting Ewing for a six over long-off in the process. It was an entertaining last-wicket stand that ended as Ireland holed out to long-off attempting another six. Shah was left unbeaten with 14 and Ewing was the main beneficiary of the batsmen's generosity, taking seven wickets. He had eight in the match to add to his double-century. The total was a less than glorious 163.

It was a pleasant afternoon's cricket at the Kwekwe Sports Club, with a small but friendly crowd giving a good family atmosphere, sitting in the shade of the trees outside the clubhouse as the wind dropped and the weather became hot again in the sun. Support for the home side was obvious and as they slumped there was disappointment, but no rancour, as it was not allowed to spoil a pleasant afternoon.

Play on the field improved as well, as the umpires had strong words with the fielding captain and certain players during the lunch interval, with over-appealing being another serious issue. Umpire Ahmed Esat also said that certain incidents would be reported to the appropriate authorities for further action. We shall see if they will take decisive action this time.