The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
THE wish is for the bubbles to burst, but in reality they are needed for the game’s continuity.
That is the take from most cricketers in Zimbabwe.
Life in a bubble has been a different and difficult innings for most cricketers from across the world.
Although they are used to adjustments, since it is a game of adapting to wicket or weather conditions of the day, bubble life has been a different proposition altogether.
Zimbabwe Cricket senior men’s team wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva sums it up well.
“It’s been quite the challenge.
“Probably the biggest thing being having to spend more time away from family than we normally would,” he said.
For the foreseeable future, sport and bubbles could be the way to go.
It has been a year since sport resumed in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
England and West Indies were the pioneers back in July 2020 as cricket became the first sport to be played during the pandemic.
Locally, it’ i cricket again that led the way, with the domestic season being concluded in a bio-secure bubble in Harare.
The Chevrons’ first bubble experience was their tour of Pakistan in October 2020.
In March 2021, Zimbabwe played Afghanistan also in a bubble.
Since then, ZC have hosted the series against Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as South Africa’s A team and the Women’s Emerging team.
“Having said that, we have to also realise that in order to play in the situation we find ourselves in with Covid-19, that is what it takes for us to play in the safest environment possible, otherwise we wouldn’t be playing,’’ Chakabva said.
“So, in a sense, we are getting used to bubbling up, but (it is) still a challenge because apart from time with our family and teammates, that social aspect has almost disappeared . . . just being able to go out of the hotel for a walk or to see places and get new experiences.”
Zimbabwe pace-attack spearhead Blessing Muzarabani, who has experienced bubble life in the Pakistan Super League, says playing in empty stadiums still feels weird.
“We are used to supporters, sometimes you need support especially from the stands.
“At the same time, I don’t think it’s affecting the game or the energy of the players. Guys are getting used to the situation.
“However, it’s something we need because people are dying, Covid-19 is a real thing and we have to take it seriously,” he said.
Mountaineers’ batsman Gary Chirimuta is currently playing in the Kenyan Super League for Stray Lions.
He is glad to be free from the bubble after experiencing it during the Zimbabwe domestic season.
“The Covid-19 situation is different from back home. We can afford to mix and mingle with other people and life it’s normal, but there is a curfew between 10pm till 4am.
“Bubble life was hard . . . being in bubble, especially when you are not doing good for yourself. You start to miss home and stuff and sometimes as an individual you have your own routines that prepare you before a game.
“For instance, I get my inspiration from my kid and wife, and after the game, you get to go home and see them; it takes your mind out of the match.
“I guess at the end of the day, bubbles are to ensure every player doesn’t get Covid-19 because you don’t really know what the next guy is going to do after a game.”
It is a different situation as well for Kudzai Maunze, who is playing club cricket in the UK.
“Here we sanitise after every seven overs.
“I was in quarantine for my first ten days here . . . it wasn’t funny at all,” he said.
For Eagles batsman and former Zimbabwe Under-19 player Gareth Chirawu, life in the bubble involved balancing cricket and school.
“My bubble experience had its highs and lows.
“Studying online while in the bubble kept me busy most of the time, which I quite enjoyed, but in some moments I found it tough to maintain the mental fortitude required for both cricket and my studies.
“When others could switch off after a game, I had to switch on so I could be productive in my school work in the evenings.
“Going forward, I think the bubble is the only way we can continue to play cricket safely for the foreseeable future to allow us to continue to do what we love safely.”
For John Nyumbu, life under the bubble helped them with team chemistry.
“The fact that we were playing cricket was a bonus.
“It was tough mentally, despite having been playing most of our provincial games in Harare . . .
“On the flip side of the coin, I think it also managed to bring teams closer, which was a massive thing.”
