With the Logan Cup commencing on 16, 17 and 18 February, and the national players available, Matabeleland could field the strongest bowling attack ever seen in the competition with the possibility of five Test opening bowlers. Mashonaland `A' could find their opening fixture a stiff challenge. The recently announced Matabeleland team has Streak, the current national captain, Mbangwa, Nkala, Olonga and John Rennie as the seam attack. The remainder of the squad is C. Coventry, I. Engelbrecht, J. Hitz, B. Jacobs, M. Kenny, R. King, C. Mahachi, D. Oberhoster, N. Van Rensburg, M. Vermeulen and G. Wren.

Three players from last season, Keith Dabengwa, Wisdom Siziba and Matthew Townshend, are joining the CFX Academy in Harare, with two other Matabeleland squad players in Terrence Duffin (Zimbabwe Under 19 captain) and Ian Coulson. Ryan King and Clement Mahachi return to Bulawayo, having spent last year at the Academy, and join Mark Vermeulen and Mecury Kenny as academy coaches in Bulawayo. Of the two other coaches, Senyo Nyakutse is now overseas and Dion Ebrahim has returned to Harare, being replaced by King and Mahachi. Although the inclusion of the national players in the competition will strengthen the first-class base, promising players from the previous season will find it hard to regain a place and will miss out on any chance of first-class cricket this season.

In a weak one-sided National First League match played at Macdonald Club over the weekend, the home side were comprehensively thrashed by the visiting Alexandra side from Harare. Batting first against some poor bowling and fielding, Alex amassed 405 for three in their 50 overs. R. Liddell and B. Bath had an opening partnership of 173 week, Bath scoring 124 and Liddell 72. National player A. Blignaut weighed in with a rapid 77. In reply Macdonald Club could muster only 212 in 40.4 overs with young Mark Vermeulen compiling 125. Zimbabwe Under-19 player Campbell Macmillan was impressive with his pace bowling, finishing with four for 55.

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