Morale-boosting win for Zimbabwe

LEEDS, MAY 28. Zimbabwe raised its confidence just in time for the second Test match at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday with a fine 32-run win over Yorkshire at Headingley here.

Needing 180 for victory, the home side was bowled out for 147 as Pommie Mbangwa and left-armer Bryan Strang exploited a helpful pitch.

Mbangwa did most of the early damage and finished with four for 39 for match figures of 10 for 53 after his impressive first innings return of six for 14.

Yorkshire slumped to 13 for four, with Mbangwa taking three of the wickets, but it was revived by a stand of 41 for the fifth wicket between Debutant Michael Lumb (66 no) and Gary Fellows.

Lumb played strongly off his legs and through the covers, and fellows also batted positively to make 22 before he edged Strang to be caught at the wicket by Andy flower, back behind the stumps in place of the injured Tatenda Taibu.

Lumb continued to play his shots and with Gavin Hamilton took the score to 94 for five.

Then a bowling change was rewarded when Mluleki Nkala had England one-Test wonder Hamilton caught behind off the first ball of his second spell to end a partnership of 40.

Lumb, son of former Yorkshire opener Richard, hit Mbangwa for two boundaries in one over to reach his maiden first-class half- century but he eventually ran out of partners.

Simon Guy, also making his debut, briefly threatened to pull the game round as he hit Mbangwa over square leg for six - but in the next over he played a poor stroke at Strang to be caught by Andy Flower.

Paul Hutchison was caught in the slips off the next ball as Strang finished with four for 41, and it was appropriate that Mbangwa should take the last wicket when Matthew Hoggard fell lbw as he swung across the line. Lumb finished unbeaten, having hit 12 fours from 120 balls.

Zimbabwe manager Dan Stannard said: ``we had a chat with the players before play began this morning, and I told them that there was no question of any players being flown in for the second Test.

``The side will be selected from the squad we have already named, and I stressed I wanted them to do their best to recapture their best form and above all Enjoy their cricket.

I think that gave all of them a lift, and they responded brilliantly to claim this victory.''

Scores: Zimbabwe 235 and 68 bt Yorkshire 124 and 147 (Michael Lumb 66 n.o., Bryan Strang four for 41, Pommie Mbangwa four for 39).

- AFP

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Section  : Sport
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