Zimbabwe draw at Middlesex

In what will go down as one of the least inspiring tour matches all time, a Zimbabwe XI played out the last day of their game against Middlesex at Shenley as it ended in a tame draw on a batting track.

Middlesex, who were without stars Sven Koenig, Abdul Razzaq and Ashley Noffke, along with a host of other first teamers, took on a Zimbabwe side that included Mlukeki Nkala, Barney Rogers and Vusi Sibanda in for Andy Blignaut, Heath Streak and Doug Hondo.

Zimbabwe confirmed what the rest of the world already knew - that their bowling attack is impotent - as they allowed Middlesex's top-order to score runs for fun under the late spring sunshine. Robin Weston made 129, Ed Joyce 80, Phil Weekes 102* and keeper Michael Brown 94 in their imposing 516/6 declared.

In reply, a second-string Middlesex bowling attack rarely troubled the tourists, Stuart Carlisle making his third ton in seven weeks with 137 in Zimbabwe's 401/4 declared.

Former England One-Day International batsman Owais Shah starred in the second innings, crashing 101* off just 80 balls including 15 fours and a six before the declaration came at 222/2, leaving Zimbabwe 338 to make in 65 overs.

Dion Ebrahim and in particular Mark Vermeulen briefly went after the Middlesex bowlers, putting on 52 in the first ten overs, but once Vermeulen went the tourists were happy to settle for batting practice, and closed at 221/5.

Vusimuzi Sibanda did very little to suggest that he wasn't solely a ZANU-PF-inspired token black player, making a duck in the second innings and recording bowling figures of 5-1-34-0.

Middlesex 516/6 dec & 222/2 dec

Zimbabwe 401/4 dec & 221/5

Match Drawn

Written by Neil - Submitted by James

Posted by James