The Sunday Mail
RISING STARS’ skipper Eddie Byrom was but a mere toddler when Hamilton Masakadza made his international debut back in 2001.
For most of the “Mudhara Hammy” army, witnessing that moment when a second innings score of 119 runs helped salvage a draw for Zimbabwe against West Indies and ushered the then 17-year-old Masakadza into the limelight was priceless.
But Byrom simply has no recollection of that, aside from the stories he has been told and the recordings he has watched — after all he was only four at the time.
What he does have are three distinct memories of his own with Mudhara Hammy; interactions that have the makings of quite a fascinating “bromance.”
“I first met Hamilton in 2009 when I was about 12 or 13 years old and I had just been made captain of the Zimbabwe Under-13 team,” said the 20-year-old former St John’s College student.
“He passed through to see us and congratulate us on making the team after which we chatted a bit and posed for a few pictures,” revealed Byrom,
The two top order batsmen would meet again, once at club level where they played together for CFX Academy and shared a 145-run partnership back in 2012
However, their most memorable encounter came two weeks ago as Byrom, in his first game as Rising Stars skipper, helped dismiss Masakadza in a Logan Cup.
Sadly this “bromance” may never get to its logical conclusion, which is sharing the Chevrons dressing room.
Byrom, who is now based in the UK and is with Rising Stars on a season long deal, recently signed his first professional contract with English County side Somerset and will soon be eligible to play for England.
“I am yet to make up my mind on which country to represent but I am seriously leaning towards England,” revealed Byrom.
“Things have been going on well for me in England, I am getting a lot of opportunities and have already started working on getting an English Passport.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket know how good Byrom is but are yet to table an offer.
When they decide to pursue him, it will not hurt to have Mudhara Hammy in their negotiating team.
