OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Sunday 1.30pm.
THE first of two five day matches between the Zimbabwe and England ‘A’ teams was called off in Harare on Saturday when further rain soaked the outfield and affected the bowlers’ run-up areas.
Only 10 hours out of a scheduled 30 hours was played over the five days with Zimbabwe ‘A’ making 160 all out in their first innings and 20/1 in the second while England ‘A’ made 192 all out in their first innings.
The highlights of the dampened contest were Glamorgan’s Darren Thomas at 8-50, an England ‘A’ record, and Andrew Flintoff of Lancashire with an unbeaten 80.
The umpires inspected the ground twice before declaring it unfit.
Zimbabwe captain Andrew Whittall said the decision to call the match off was due to the state of the ground. Additionally, although two hours play might have been possible in late afternoon, there was no possibility of a result.
The second match is due to start in Bulawayo on Tuesday, after which the teams will play three one-day internationals.