Worcestershire County Cricket Club beat Matabeleland by 18 runs in a thrilling three-day match played at Bulawayo Althletic Club yesterday. The host's batsman Mpumelele Mbangwa was stumped to give the visitors victory in a nail-biting finish. Earlier, Worcestershire continued from their overnight score of 156 to finish at 263-8. The visitors declared 25 minutes after lunch, setting the home side 241 to win. Vikram Solanki was the toast of the visitors' batting, knocking a worthy 61. He received ample support from Zimbabwean-born Graham Hick. Leading the Matabeleland attack was former captain John Rennie who finished at 2-44 and Andrew Whittall 2-66. The visitors were evidently determined to win shortly after declaring. They immediately clinched the wicket of Trevor Gripper caught behind by wicketkeeper Stephen Rhodes off Phil Newport's second ball. Dirk Viljoen was the next to go home with a disappointing 22.

Contributed by Roger.Stringer (roger@cricinfo.com)