The Sunday Mail
It’s better late than never for Hamilton Masakadza.
Never late might have been better, but either way the 31 year old batsman will finally play in a cricket World Cup.
And his first match will be at Hamilton in New Zealand against South Africa on February 15.
“Obviously being the first one, it’s very significant, I have always looked forward to playing for Zimbabwe at a World Cup” said the Mountaineers batsman who was not picked for the 2003, 2007 and 2011 tournaments.
Masakadza whose career started 14 years ago, is relieved to finally make the squad for the prestigious competition most cricketers dream of.
“I have got the opportunity and I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“I didn’t want to have such a long career without a World Cup to my name, it’s a big relief,” Masakadza said.
So will he be nervous when he walks out to bat in a World Cup game?
“Not really, I have played almost 150 ODIs, no nerves anymore.
“At the end of the day it’s just another game.”
What sort of targets would he give himself?
For “Mudhara Hummy” as he is popularly referred to by his cricketing fellows, the team comes first.
“Same as always, I will try do the job for the team… get in there get a good platform for the team put the team in a winning position.
“If you get the team targets, you always get yours as well, but it’s about what the team needs,” he said.
World Cup or tour match, at the end of the day every player is expected to perform and Masakadza would love to do that at the World Cup.
“Every time you go out there you always want to get that magical three figure.
“There is always pressure to perform if you are a top order batter, runs are always expected from you,” he said.
And also expected was his inclusion for this World Cup he felt the same too.
“I think I have been in good touch as opposed to the other World Cups my run in was not the best , now I was getting some runs and I half-new I was going.”
When the Zimbabwe team sing the national anthem lining up on the Hamilton field on February 15, he could be understood if he is the loudest because his dream would have finally come true.
Or the burly batter will produce his popular grin , which also featured frequently when during the interview with this reporter.
“It’s all about believing and having confidence, because if you go out there without belief then you must not even be out there in the first place,” Masakadza signed off.
