Vermeulen poised for national return

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on February 15, 2009

Former Test batsman Mark Vermeulen looks set to be considered for national selection after he featured heavily in a match report on zimcricket.org. It was the first club cricket match report of the year on the Zimbabwe Cricket website.

As expected, Mark Vermeulen has shifted clubs again. After representing Old Malvernians and captaining Old Hararians in recent years, he has moved to Royal for this season after Old Hararians strangely failed to reach the National League. Another notable absense from the fixture lists is Harare Sports Club.

The zimcricket.org article says that Vermeulen "continues to make big strides on the comeback trail", suggesting he has had a good season with Royal so far. Against Mutare Sports Club (in Mutare) last Friday, Vermeulen struck 73 runs before being caught by Richmond Mutumbami.

He was also useful with the ball, taking 2/21.

But his allround performance was not enough to save Royal from a hefty defeat. Mutare Sports Club scored 198 bating first courtesy of 45 and 36 from Chisaka and Chisoro respectively. Tinashe Chimbambo was the pick of the Royal bowlers with 4/32 from 6 overs, while former Harare Sports Club and Northerns bowler was impressive with his spell of 3/14 from 8 overs.

In reply Vermeulen had no support, the next highest score being 29 from T. Nyakupfuka. Royal were dismissed for 159.

The National League final will be played this Friday.