The Sunday Mail
ONE is motivated by his family and the other by his cap.
This is the story of Zimbabwe’s two Test players who have been doing the hard yards together at Harare Sports Club in preparation of the Test series against Bangladesh from November 3.
The duo of Regis Chakabva and Ryan Burl left for Bangladesh last week to join their team mates for the two Tests series.
They have the same mission, which is to perform for Zimbabwe and when you see them raise their bats after reaching milestones, there will be motivation behind it.
“Being a dad changes your perception on life for sure,” said 31-year-old wicket-keeper Chakabva, father to one year-old son Ethan.
“I’m grateful that no matter how bad a day I have on the field, I come back home and have a lot to smile about,” said the family man.
Chakabva says his wife Matilda, who travelled to support him at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, helps with some technical coaching sometimes.
“She’s a wonderful pillar of support, very understanding and we’ve always tried to travel together whenever possible.
“Maybe once or twice she’s said something technical,” he said with a laugh. November is a special month for the wicket-keeper.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club on November 1 in 2011 and his only Test hundred (101) was scored on November 4 in 2014 against Bangladesh at Khulna.
The Tigers are his favourite Test opponents. He averages 50.14 in four matches.
Could this be a great November coincidence for Chakabva?
“I wasn’t aware of those (November) stats so l can’t really say it’s any more special than any other time I play but yeah, it’s a nice coincidence,” said Chakabva, who is relishing another opportunity to play in Bangladesh.
“I’m pretty excited about playing there again and hope we do better than the last time we were there.
“It’s a challenging place to play and it’s nice to have got a test ton there,” he said. For 24-year-old Burl, the Test cap he was presented to by Brendan Taylor on his debut in the Four-day pink ball Test against South Africa on Boxing Day last year has been a reminder.
“Often I would just try it on in my room and check in the mirror and get a little motivation. “Not every day, maybe once a week or so, just reminding myself what I am training for,” said the left handed batsman who has one Test cap, 13 ODIs and four T20Is.
Burl has gleaned some vital lessons on excelling in international cricket in his fledgling career and he believes big performances are nigh.
“I think being mentally tough and prepared are the two biggest things needed to succeed at the top.
In September, Burl hosted his national teammates over a team bonding lunch at his Chisipite residence, a culture he would love to see developing amongst his peers.
“I don’t think we do enough events or games in terms of team bonding, so it was something that I had actually been pushing for,” said Burl.
