MASHONALAND (With thanks to general manager Gus Mackay)

Saturday 5 October sees Mashonaland meet Mashonaland Country Districts in the annual Bell Shield match at Harare South Country Club. The Districts are undergoing difficult times in the current problems in the country, but they are still active and playing. Teams will be announced next week.

MATABELELAND (With thanks to secretary Tracey Howard) ** to come

A double-century by a schoolboy is very rare, although it has happened at least once before in this country, although many years ago and details have been forgotten. But Hillcrest College Under-16A batsman Leslie Gaylard achieved the feat with 218, including 24 fours and 5 sixes, against Eaglesvale Under-16A team at the opposition’s ground in Harare last weekend. Do any Zimbabwean readers recall any double-centuries in school cricket in this country?

Mutare Sports Club were pleased with their victory over Alexandra Sports Club last weekend, as Alex had routed Old Georgians a week earlier. This weekend, though, they will be seriously weakened by the absences of two of their top players and former Academy graduates. Neil Ferreira and Richie Sims have both been selected to play for Zimbabwe A against the touring Namibian team on the same day.

MIDLANDS (With thanks to general manager Ken Connelly)

Midlands contracted their former CFX Academy graduate and wicket-keeper for the past two seasons, Colin Delport, as grounds curator as from 1 September. His duties are to develop and improve the Kwekwe Sports Club ground to international standard, and also to assist all other Midlands clubs and schools with pitch preparation and ground maintenance.

A development officer has been employed, to commence work on 1 October. His duties will be to improve the standard of the game in all the schools and to foster the game in the high-density areas.

Donald Campbell, brother of Test player Alistair, accepted a contract as Midlands coach and started his duties on 1 September. His duties are principally to coach the Midlands and Kwekwe first team, but he is also assisting the coaches of all other clubs in the province and advising the development officer in setting up coaching structures.

Craig Majawa has joined the Midlands Coaching staff and will be responsible for Kwekwe Junior school.

Facilities are currently being erected in both Gweru and Kwekwe at prioritized schools.

A financial budget was prepared and forwarded to Vince Hogg as managing director for his approval. It had been decided that there would be no capital expenditure until after the World Cup. At present the association is still working on an impressed basis, claiming monthly on approved accounts.

The Midlands Under 13 side travelled to Masvingo for a match that doubled as a trial for the National Interprovincial Cricket Week. Our side easily beat Masvingo and the resulting ‘Mid-vingo’ team competed very well at the tournament. Worthy of mention is Camelot School’s John Newbold who made 112 not out and took three wickets against Mashonaland West, to be named man of the match. Also worthy of mention is Adam Chifo’s excellent work in preparing this team.

Two Midlands Schools participated at the recently completed Prince Edward High Schools Tournament. Jameson did well, winning two matches out of three, whilst Kwekwe High School won all three matches and were awarded the most improved team for 2002. This team is made up mostly of players from the Kings Cricket Club and I’m certain we will soon see several of these cricketers come through the ranks into the Kwekwe first and second elevens. All the teams were financially backed by Midlands Cricket.

Martin Pretorius will head a committee to organize the one-day international between Zimbabwe and Kenya, to be held at Kwekwe Sports Club in December.

In a recent meeting Stanbic indicated that they were happy with our commitment and will continue to support us in our development program. Negotiations with a local company are at an advanced stage for a comprehensive sponsorship deal.

A letter has been written to Ahmed Esat regarding the current situation regarding umpiring and scoring in the Midlands. We have requested courses for both disciplines to be conducted in Kwekwe so that we can provide our own people for National League and Logan Cup matches.