Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Ervine put up a resounding performance with the bat as he led a resilient Midlands fightback on the second day of their Logan Cup match against Matabeleland at Queens Sports Club on Saturday.

Ervine reached his maiden first-class century as Midlands, in reply to Matabeleland's first innings score of 462, closed on 271 for five off 70 overs. Douglas Marillier also scored a half-century.

Matabeleland had earlier added 89 runs to their overnight score with some meaningful contributions from the tail-enders. Travis Friend grabbed his third wicket when he had Mpumelelo Mbangwa caught at silly mid-off by Terrence Duffin for eight runs.

Wisdom Siziba and Keith Dabengwa then put 82 for the ninth wicket. Siziba fell three runs short of a half-century when he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Raymond Price, caught by Friend for 47 runs, which came off 97 balls and included five fours. Dabengwa was unbeaten on 28 runs while Donald Campbell ran out last man Jordane Nicolle before he opened his account.

Midlands suffered a severe blow in their bid to restrict their opponents when pace bowler Campbell Macmillan pulled out off the attack owing to an injury to his left big toe.

Friend was the pick of the visitor's bowlers with three wickets off his 21 overs, giving away 86 runs in the process. Macmillan and Price took two wickets each, while Ervine and Marillier claimed one each.

In reply, Midlands got off to a poor start when their opening partnership of Vusumuzi Sibanda and Duffin produced only 18 runs. Sibanda departed for eight when he was trapped leg before wicket by Mluleki Nkala.

Duffin was joined by Marillier and the two put on 92 for the second wicket. The hard-hitting left-handed Duffin played an unusual anchor role and let Marillier go for the runs.

Marillier played some beautiful reverse shots and went on to reach his 50 off 58 balls. He seemed on course for a high score before he played straight to Nicolle, who claimed a return catch to send him back to the pavilion for 69 off 78 balls. Nkala took his second wicket when he had Duffin caught by Charles Coventry for 30 runs, which came off 97 balls.

Ervine and Dirk Viljoen put on 111 runs for the fourth wicket with Ervine the more aggressive of the two. The 19-year-old Ervine brought up his century off 114 balls with 20 fours. Off-spinner Gavin Ewing took his first wicket when he had Viljoen caught by Mbangwa for 37.

Ervine could only add a four and a single to his century before he became the last Midlands wicket of the day to fall, handing Mbangwa his first wicket when he nicked a delivery from the pace bowler to be caught by wicketkeeper Siziba, to leave the field for 105 which came off 117 balls. Friend was unbeaten at the close, while Alester Maregwede was still to open his account.

Nkala was the highest wicket-taker for the home side, taking two wickets from 15 overs and giving away 78 runs in the process. Nicolle and Mbangwa claimed one wicket each.

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