Vermeulen dominates Sussex

Mark Vermeulen put any doubt about his place in the Test side firmly in its place today as he hammered a relatively weak Sussex attack for 194 unbeaten runs on the First Day of the Tourist's last warmup match before the First Test at Lord's.

In all Zimbabwe posted 317-4 in the 93 overs available as Sussex toiled under captain Murray Goodwin (an ironic selection since he would almost certainly be in the Zimbabwe side but for his retirement following the last Zimbabwe tour of England in 2000).

Only Billy Taylor and Kevin Innes came out of the day with any credit for the county side, as they conceded just 70 runs from their combined 34 overs. Unfortunately the rest of the attack were less in control as first Stuart Carlisle, and then Grant Flower shared century stands with the opener, to such an extent that with 3 balls of the day remaining Zimbabwe were still only 2 wickets down before former-Yorkshire seamer Paul Hutchison picked up Flower and wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu to end the day on a high.

Zimbabwe will resume tomorrow hoping for the lower order to have a decent bat, and with explosive players such as Doug Marillier, Sean Ervine, Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut still to come, a very big score is possible.

Those 4 will then have a chance to impress with the ball, along with Ray Price, nephew of International Golf Star Nick, and Mluleki Nkala, the only member of this eleven not expected to play in the Test Series.

On a personal note, Vermeulen remains 3 short of his career best innings overnight.

Zimbabwe 317/4 (Vermueulen 194*, Flower 64, Hutchison 2-78)

Posted by Marc