The Logan Cup in Harare has finally reached the 20th century, although perhaps not the 21st! For the first time at Harare Sports Club, during the match between Mashonaland and Mashonaland A, the big scoreboard was in full operation, giving details of individual scores, bowling figures and most of the information that had hitherto been available only at international matches.

Congratulations to the Mashonaland Cricket Association and Gavin Johnstone-Robertson in particular for organizing that. The players were most appreciative of being kept aware of their statistics, and there were a few spectators who responded positively as well - there would no doubt have been more had the match been properly advertised. The local press is very negligent with regard to Logan Cup cricket, but the local authorities must also bear responsibility for the failure to advertise first-class domestic cricket adequately.

But at least a properly functioning scoreboard is a big step forward, and Harare has now caught up with Kwekwe and Mutare. I have no news as to whether Bulawayo has yet reached the 20th century by using their main scoreboard for Logan Cup matches, but last season they did not.

In this issue, as the current Zimbabwe season sadly fades away with a whimper, courtesy of the Australian let-down, we have new biographies of Academy players Glenn Goosen and Piet Rinke, and an updated biography of Nyasha Chari. Besides our provincial reports, we include an interview with Grant Flower after his return from India and his double-century against Mashonaland.

Mashonaland have again shot into the Logan Cup lead with yet another outright victory, beating Mashonaland A easily by seven wickets, thanks to twin centuries in the match by Andy Flower and a very accommodating declaration that left them 340 to win in a full day's play on a batting paradise. Midlands, who had hopes of winning the Logan Cup after a fine season, could be excused for feeling bitter at Mashonaland A's declaration, especially since last season they were similarly helpful to their sister team, forfeiting their entire first innings so as to force a result in a rain-affected match.

Mashonaland are undoubtedly the premier province, and the country's cricketing strength plays here. It is not good for cricket that they should win so easily so often, though, especially as at times they appear over-confident and arrogant. The attitude of other teams, including Mashonaland A, should be to give them nothing and make them fight all the way for their success. Manicaland, still without a win, have been the only team to come close to beating Mashonaland in the past two seasons, and they have done it twice. They too must be unhappy at seeing the other Mashonaland side hand them easy victories.

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