The Sunday Mail
The inclusion of teenage all-rounder Luke Jongwe (pictured) in the Zimbabwe A side that is set to tour Bangladesh later this month has bowled over many in cricket circles.
Before the squad was announced, the country’s convenor of selectors, Givemore Makoni, had repeatedly said they were going to select a “proper” Zim A side.
It appears as if Makoni and his crew stuck to their word.
The Zimbabwe A, a development side, appears to have the right balance between experience and freshness.
In Jongwe most commentators believe the country has a bright talent, a chap who can be moulded into an all-rounder of repute.
However, amid all the excitement, the 19-year-old Jongwe is keeping his feet on the ground.
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can. Hanging out with these senior players has been a humbling as well as inspiring experience . . . There is nothing great like playing with someone you regard as your role model,” he said.
The budding all-rounder admires the exploits of Shingi Masakadza.
Jongwe has played at two Under-19 World Cups, in Australia 2012 and recently in the UAE, where he hit top form finishing as Zimbabwe’s top run getter with 219 runs that included three half centuries and a highest score of 80.
“The World Cup has been a major platform for my career. It gave me the experience that has made me a better player,” comments the former Prince Edward School pupil.
For long Jongwe was seen as a bowler who could bat, but his game is now balanced thanks to some vital exposure he got at the now defunct Southern Rocks.
Jongwe scored his maiden Logan Cup century in March this year when a 201-run 10th wicket partnership with fellow Under-19 player Cuthbert Musoko led Rocks to a commendable draw against eventual cup winners Mountaineers.
He believes in sweating it out in the background for sweeter moments on the field of play.
It’s a philosophy he has vowed to continue employing until he dons the senior national team jersey.
“I think form is permanent if you work hard, spending more time in the nets doing that extra work on your own.
“In cricket everyday you are learning, being part of the Zimbabwe A team is a good opportunity for me, it will test my skills mentally. I can’t say I am ready now, but I am working on it every day.”
Zimbabwe A mentor Walter Chawaguta, who also coached Jongwe at the Under-19 World Cup, has positive words about the youngster.
“He has got the attributes of a genuine all-rounder, we are easing him into this level of the game without giving him too much pressure.
“He has shown that he can do the job and I’m glad that he is getting the recognition he deserves. From here it’s now up to the selectors and coaches to handle him well. We need to allow him to grow and understand his own game.”
Jongwe is excited about having Chawaguta as the Zim A coach.
“As a player you need someone you are comfortable with, someone you can work with while asking questions and learning from and I think coach Chawaz is that person for me.
“I am going to take it one step at a time focusing on the Bangladesh tour,” he said.
Jongwe’s career germinated in the high-density streets of Glen View from where renowned juniors coach Reginald Mutare spotted the gifted lad.
“Coach Mutare identified me and has helped me to be where I am today,” he recalls.
“My parents were not supportive of the idea of me taking up cricket, but I won them over when I made it into the Mashonaland Under-11 and 13 teams, making me the first pupil from my school, Glen View 1, to achieve such a feat.
“Things started to happen as I also made it into the junior national teams.”
Doors continued opening for Jongwe who eventually got a ZC scholarship enrolling at Prince Edward School.
Now the world awaits his talents.
Zimbabwe A squad
Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Michael Chinouya, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Timycen Maruma, Shingi Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Brighton Mugochi, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Raymond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Donald Tiripano, Mark Vermeulen, Malcolm Waller
Additions for one-dayers Sikandar Raza (for Mark Vermeulen), Joylord Gumbie (for Roy Kaia), Tafadzwa Kamungozi (for John Nyumbu), Neville Madziva (for Michael Chinouya), Forster Mutizwa (for Malcolm Waller)
