ACS Overseas First-Class Annual 2016

Zimbabwe in 2015/16 Among the many problems that beset the Zimbabwe national side, not the least is the infrequency of its Test engagements. This deprives players of opportunity to develop the patience and discipline needed to cope with the rigours of the most demanding form of the game, with results that are all too clear to see on the rare occasions that a Test is played. In the entire 2015/16 and 2016 seasons, for instance, only two Tests were played: these came when New Zealand visited the country in July and August 2016 before travelling on to a sterner challenge in South Africa. The Zimbabwe games, both held at Bulawayo, resulted in very comfortable wins for the visitors, who on both occasions lost only six wickets. Zimbabwe were left to take what comfort they could from the centuries struck in a losing cause by Sean Williams (in the first Test) and Craig Ervine (in the second). The inability of the attack to make any impression at all on New Zealand, even in home conditions, must be a matter of grave concern. It should be stated, though, that the umpiring, particularly in the second Test, did not escape criticism; and some home supporters felt their side might have avoided defeat had technological aids (which the Zimbabwe board cannot afford) been available to review a number of dismissals in the second innings. The result, inevitably, is that Zimbabwe languishes in a distant bottom place in the ICC rankings. However, there was some international first-class cricket in Zimbabwe in 2015/16. In October the A side played against the Irish national side ( en route to its Intercontinental Cup fixture in Namibia) and the following month Bangladesh A also played two matches. The first match against the latter side was a fine, fluctuating game of cricket, ultimately won by the visitors by 14 runs. Against Ireland, Regis Chakabva and Malcolm Waller each had the distinction of making a century in each innings; both this match and the second Bangladesh game were even draws. The Logan Cup was curtailed compared with 2014/15, when each of the four sides had played the others thrice. This season, it reverted to a more orthodox format in which the sides played each other twice. The standard of play was seriously weakened by the absence of international players due to tours and the demands of the national coach, Dav Whatmore, for training camps. It was striking that of the twelve matches, not a single one was drawn. Mashonaland Eagles were the only side to emerge with a credit of wins against losses (four as against two) and thus won the Cup for the first time since 2009/10. They showed indifferent form at times, but, crucially, they proved able to raise their game for the critical moments. Mountaineers had been widely expected to win the competition as, with or without their national players, they had by far the strongest and most experienced squad. However, they never gelled as a team, many of their batsmen failed to find form, and they seldom had the look of a champion side. Mashonaland could claim the services of the season’s joint-highest wicket-taker, fast-medium Trevor Garwe, who took 25 wickets at 21.72; just behind was his team-mate Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi with 24 at only 15.45. Shingirai Masakadza of Mountaineers was the other bowler to take 25 wickets (at 22.28). The batting aggregates were also headed by a Mashonaland player, Regis Chakabva who, after his flying start against Ireland, struck 586 runs at 53.27, closely followed by Peter Moor of Mid West with 563 at 62.55. (JCB) Logan Cup 2015/16: Final table P W WLF L LWF DWF DLF Pts 7 6 0 1 4 2 1 Mashonaland Eagles 6 2 2 2 0 0 0 26 2 Matabeleland Tuskers 6 3 0 0 3 0 0 24 3 Mountaineers 6 3 0 3 0 0 0 21 4 Mid West Rhinos 6 1 1 4 0 0 0 13 535