Day in session with Zimbabwe Cricket

Our sports reporter Brighton Zhawi still harbours dreams of becoming a professional cricket player despite having already made some small but significant strides in journalism.
Last week the youngster, who is on the books of Rainbow Cricket Club, had a chance to train with the Zimbabwe national cricket team as one of the net bowlers and he shares his experience… “Watch…heads….” The loud warning shouts can be heard as cricket balls fly all over the place. The Zimbabwe cricket team is fine-tuning for this month’s visit of Afghanistan and the writer is fortunate to be a part of this morning session. Conscious of the need not to blow cover the modus operandi is all about doing what the coaches have tasked me with – bowling. It’s winter but the conditions on this particular Thursday are what one can term perfect cricketing conditions.

It’s sunny, cool and cloudless as Team Zimbabwe go through their paces at Harare Sports Club. Clattering sounds of bats’ mating with balls fill the air. Birds can be heard chirping from the nearby cypress trees that act as guards. The trees are of paramount importance lest one big hit falls into President Mugabe’s yard, which is a stone’s throw away.

The atmosphere is relaxed, lots of smiling from the lads. It’s calm before the storm environment, one would suggest. Not the Afghanistan storm of course! The sub-continent ICC Associate nation’s tour of Zimbabwe for One Day International against the senior team and Four Day games versus the Zimbabwe A side, has been confirmed, so it’s no coincidence that both teams are preparing simultaneously.

The senior team is using the golf course end nets while their developmental side is directly opposite them. The storm is the big series that will see two of the best cricket-playing nations descend on Harare in August. South Africa will touch base first for a one-off Test before Australia join in for a triangular series. As the boys go through their paces there is little trace of worry among the players and the coaching personnel. I am one of the net bowlers, the guys who are called to come through and offer some variation. My first ball is bowled at Hamilton Masakadza, one of the team’s veterans. “Good shot, Mudhara Hammy, well played,” shouts one player as Masakadza drives my delivery.

Bowlers mean business when they charge in to bowl and the batsmen are equal to the task, showing good technique. There are occasional appeals for a wicket, but the emphasis is on giving the batsmen as much practice as possible.

Three nets are in use, the far left one, when you are facing the golf course end, is being used by fast bowlers and assistant coach Steve “Mfire” Mangongo is assessing his players while acting as an umpire.

In the middle net national team gaffer Andy Waller is taking a closer look at his spinners.
The third is being monitored by big Stan Chioza, the performance analyst who is raising his right hand before feeding the bowling machine. Maybe that’s one hint that they have got Dale Steyn in mind, I muse to myself.

Steyn’s pace is troubling many a batsman in the cricketing world and our lads need to have a game plan fine-tuned long before the fast bowler comes to Harare. The use of a bowling machine is part of finding that strategy.

Fast bowlers are bowling in short spells of two overs per pair. They swap with net bowlers.

One particular net bowler, Tatenda Mupunga, is giving batsmen a few problems bowling at good pace while displaying excellent control of the new ball. He is doing well to market himself in front of the national coaches!

Leg spinner Timycen Maruma is enthusiastic as usual enjoying every delivery he bowls.

“Ah, boys, this wicket is turning, I’m liking it, hopefully we get more of this,’’ Maruma beams.

The screams come again, watch! Watch! As one batsman from the Zimbabwe A camp lofts one towards the senior side.

The Zim A camp is even more relaxed, there is a lot of goofing around, debate mainly centred on the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.

“If I hadn’t played cricket I would have been a soccer player, better than Messi. I am just doing this for love,” claims Richmond Mutumbami amid murmurs of disapproval. “Umm, Richie, be serious,’’ interjects young Luke Jongwe, Mutumbami’s close friend. “Guys, I am stiff, my chest is heavy I had one too many on the bench press yesterday,” all-rounder Neville Madziwa changes course. That’s the Zimbabwe A camp for you! Their system is similar to the senior team’s, three nets but no bowling machine. The ever-smiling Walter Chawaguta is discussing with Shepherd Makunura, who is assisting in conducting the session. “Five more minutes, guys,” shouts Makunura.

The five minutes are up and the lads gather around coach Chawaz who gives his assessment of the session before telling his team that there will be a fielding session at Alex Sports Club soon after lunch. Meanwhile, the senior team has also concluded their net sessions and is going around searching for lost balls.

One player is still padded up. It’s Prosper Utseya. He is taking some throw-downs from a colleague. Mr Dots works hard.

As others disperse for lunch I head for The Sunday Mail newsroom where Mako Gold (acting Sports Editor Makomborero Mutimukulu) is hunting for me. “Xavi, where are you?” He asks on our Whatsapp group.

“On my way, mudhara,” I reply.