Series thread: Faithwear series

Yup. Next match in September, assuming the planned series against Kenya goes ahead. I'll have to nip along to one of the Ireland v Kenya ODIs in August (to be played about 200 metres from my office window) to size up the opposition. :)

It's going to be a looong three months...

andy24 wrote:If possible maybe an under 21 side should be put in the Loagan cup.

They already have 5 of them, why add another one? :P

Seriously though, you are right. There are too many teams, too many for such a small pool of players. They should return to having Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands and Manicaland. There was a discussion on this not too long ago - having true provincial setups allows for greater support among fans. In fairness to ZC though, I heard that the reformatting of the domestic structure was a government order, because playing in the name of Mashonaland and Matabeleland (or more to the point, Mashonaland Country Districts and Matabeleland Country Districts - which still play rugby I believe) was seen to be what white people do. Especially in the case of the country districts, which were predominantly white teams. (unfortunately I can't find the link where I read that)

Centrals and Southerns are on paper the two weakest sides. Despite Westerns poor showing this year, on paper they are one of the stronger sides (guess whose fault it is that they didn't persevere with Matthew Williams, Freedom Takarusenga, John Nyumbu...).

So Centrals and Southerns could be merged to become Southerns, so you essentially have the old structure again (Northerns for Mashonaland, Westerns for Matabeleland, Easterns for Manicaland, Southerns for Midlands). Then invite Namibia over for a few matches. No point bringing in Uganda or Kenya A, they are easybeats. Namibia on the otherhand are very strong competition, really only Northerns and Easterns would have a chance.

I think timing should also be adjusted as you say. Zimbabwe don't get many international tours, so it's not like that is a huge obstacle. It would probably be possible to switch the National League season with the Logan Cup season. It has the added benefit of, if an international tour does slightly overlap, the provincial players get to have a hit against the best in tour matches, which of recent times have been Zimbabwe Select vs Touring team. Northerns vs Indians, Easterns vs Pakistanis, etc would be good.

The first 2 results:

Centrals v Southerns at Harare - May 27, 2008

Centrals won by 7 runs

Northerns (Zimbabwe) v Westerns at Harare - May 27, 2008

Westerns won by 95 runs

Northerns have rested their top players (Taylor, Price, Chigumbura) to give the non-international players a go. Graeme Cremer, the pick of the bowlers, is captain.

2nd Round Results;

Easterns v Southerns

Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, Harare, 28 May 2008

Southerns 164 (43.1 overs; Machiri 53, S Masakadza 4/21)

Easterns 139 (34.1 overs; Mutizwa 49, Matanga 3/10)

Southerns win by 25 runs

Northerns v Centrals

Harare Sports Club, 28 May 2008

Centrals 172 (49.2 overs; Waller 54, Price 3/24)

Northerns 174/7 (46.5 overs; Cremer 54*, Mugochi 2/37)

Northerns win by 3 wickets

3rd Round is today (30th May).

andy24 wrote:little masakadza doin well again in the series so far. 4/21 pretty good figures.

Still early days for him yet, but he's made a very promising start and could well turn out to be a better cricketer than his big brother. Good bowler, and not too bad with a bat either if the Logan Cup was anything to go by.

If Zim Provinces are playing in the SAA Provincial competitions this year, that'll be a good stage for us to really see what he's made of.

3rd round. This is a joke. One team all out for 74, the other 90... :roll: Old Malvernians could have strung together a better total :roll:

Faithwear Series

Northerns vs Southerns

Nthns (2/76, T Taibu 38, T Chimbambo 18, R Chakabva 10*, T Chisoro 1/9) def. Sthns (10/74, I Chinyoka 17, C Chibhabha 13, T Hove 10, T Garwe 3/19)

Faithwear Series

Easterns vs Westerns

Estns (1/92, S Matsikenyeri 51*, C Mpofu 1/52) def. Wstns (10/90, K Dabengwa 26, S Musoso 3/21)

It appears Tinashe Hove is back as well: http://www.brmtaylor.com/news-72.html

Good news, he is a skillful player.

Round 4 (1st June):

Easterns won by 79 runs (D/L method)

Centrals 237/6 (50 ov); Easterns 197/2 (31.1/31.1 ov)

Westerns won by 6 runs

Westerns 151 (44.5 ov); Southerns 145 (47.2 ov)

And the final round...

Centrals v Westerns: Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, Harare, 2 June 2008

Westerns 104 (30.2 overs; Dabengwa 20, Mire 4/22)

Centrals 105/6 (36.4 overs; Mire 42, Meth 3/12)

Centrals win by 4 wickets

Northerns v Easterns: Harare Sports Club, 2 June 2008

Easterns 249/9 (50 overs; Matsikenyeri 55, Cremer 3/47)

Northerns 157 (39.4 overs; Zhuwawo 41, Steady Musoso 3/14)

Easterns win by 92 runs

Easterns retain the title.