An eighth wicket stand of 155 helped Northerns recover from 100-7 to reach 265-9 from 89.5 overs as Glamorgan made an excellent start to their three-day game at Old Hararians CC. (writes Andrew Hignell)
Evening Update
Andrew Salter and Zain-ul-Hassan resumed the bowling after tea with Faraz Akram bludgeoning further fours to the leg-side, inlcuding three in successive balls from ul-Hassan before hoising Salter for six to complete a 53-ball fifty. His partner Joylord Gumbie continued to accumulate at the other end and reached his century from 204 balls with a single to fine-leg against Dan Douthwaite, before bringing up the 200, and the century stand by driving the all-rounder through extra-cover. Faraz also celebrated by hoisting Salter over long-on for six before David Lloyd and Prem Sisodiya had a spell in tandem. Gumbie hoisted the latter over deep mid-wicket for six, but the spinner gained revenge two balls later as he bowled the Northerns captain for 140 and ended the stand which had added 155 in 34.5 overs.
In what proved to be the final over of the day, Sam NOrtheast took a superb catch at leg-slip as Ainsley Ndlovu edged Andrew Salter with Northerns ending on 265-9.
Afternoon Update
Resuming on 49-3 after lunch, Dan Douthwaite and Timm van der Gugten resumed the bowling duties with the Dutchman ending the stubborh fourth wicket stand as Timycen Maruma edged a ball into Chris Cooke's gloves. He then struck again in his next over as Tadiwanashe Marumani miscued the seamer to short third man where Sam Northwast completed his second catch of the innings. 62-5 then became 63-6 as Tafadzwa Tsiga edged a ball from Douthwaite to the wicket-keeper. James Harris and the parsimonius Jamie McIlroy then returned to the attack with the latter continuing his sequence of maiden overs and ending his second spell with the uber-frugal figures of 8-8-0-1.
Joylord Gumbie completed his obdurate fifty from 127 balls by cover-driving Harris before Harry Podmore returned in tandem with Prem Sisdiya and removed William Mashinge who edge a ball to Chris Cooke. Faraz Akram used the long handle to club a pair of fours as Northerns reached 130-7 from 58 overs at tea.
Lunchtime Update
After Northerns opted to bat first, James Harris struck with just the fourth ball of their pre-season tour to Zimbabwe as Prince Masvaure edged the seamer to first slip where Sam Northeast safely pouched the ball. Then with the final ball of his opening over, Jamie McIlroy clean bowled Tanunurwa Makoni as Northerns slumped to 0-2. Wessly Madhevere got the scoreboard moving by flaying Harris through point, whilst after facing 20 dot balls, Joylord Gumbie, the Northerns captain, opened his account by guiding the seamer to third man. After delivering four successive maidens, McIlroy was replaced by Harry Podmore whilst Timm van der Gugten entered the attack at the other end. Podmore made further inroads into the Northerns batting as, with the final ball of his second ball, Madhevere was caught at mid-on by Billy Root to leave the home side on 15-3.
After an hour's play at the sunny Harare ground, Andrew Salter replaced van der Gugten whilst at the other end Zain-ul-Hassan had his opening spell in 1st XI cricket for the Welsh county. The pair kept things tight as the tourists restricted the home batters cheifly to singles. Prem Sisodiya also bowled a couple of overs as Northerns reached 49-3 from 29 overs at the interval.