The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Sports Reporter
IT can happen at any time; so it only makes sense that Chevrons skipper Sean Williams has opted to forgo Zimbabwe’s visit to Bangladesh, and share the impending birth of his first child with his wife Chantelle.
After all, it’s their first.
However, for recent debutant Victor Nyauchi; he has been there before, and as such the 27-year-old travelled with the team to Asia for one-off Test, two ODI and Twenty20 series.
He is a seam bowler is also expecting his second child.
Through it all, the week is likely to end with the two Chevrons’ players celebrating the birth of their babies.
“I’m dedicating this (Test) game to my new unborn baby, which is on the way,” said Nyauchi.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be there to welcome the baby, as I’m out of country on duty.
“Our captain Sean Williams is also staying behind for his first born child. He is not going to be with us, to play the first game in Bangladesh.
“You never know, maybe, our kids could be born on the same day this February,” Nyauchi said with a chuckle.
For Williams, who is in Bulawayo with his wife Chantelle, it has been a “stressful and exciting” period.
“I have been trying to play as much as I can despite having a lot on my plate with cricket …
“I have been away from home for most of the pregnancy and my wife has had to travel to me, so it’s been hard on her having to do everything.
“However, today (last Thursday), I get to go home to her a week before the birth to start getting things in order,” he said.
In Williams’ absence, his best buddy Craig Ervine will captain Zimbabwe in the one-off Test and Willo is backing his mate to lead from the front.
“When I spoke to Craig; I just said that I know that the job has come at a stressful time especially now with the pay cuts, but it’s an extremely proud moment and no one deserves it more than him.
“Craig is the most genuine human being I have ever come across, and there is no man better to handle any situation, that comes our way than him.
“I know he will do a fantastic job and the players respect him highly.”
Ervine, who will first lead the team in a two-day warm up match from February 18-19, says he is ready to captain.
“It’s a privilege and honour to lead the team in Tests.
“I know it’s only for one game but to have the opportunity means a lot to me,” said the left-handed batsman who became the 15th Zimbabwean to reach 1 000 Test runs during the Sri Lanka series.
Ervine is a rookie father himself, after welcoming his first child in August 2019.
So what has he been telling Williams about fatherhood?
“It’s such an incredible feeling and no one expected him to miss it,” said Ervine.
“I told him his life is about to change, like he never thought possible.
“It’s a good change. Being a father is a blessing that many don’t get, so he just needs to enjoy every moment,” he said.
Ervine believes the birth of Williams and Nyauchi’s babies will be fantastic for the tour.
“I hope all goes well for him and Sean and we hear the good news on tour,” said the stand-in skipper.
Zimbabwe’s last visit in Bangladesh was in November 2018 and saw the Chevrons achieve their first Test away win in 17 years.
That series ended one-all.
Zimbabwe have won seven and lost six Tests with three draws out of the 16 meetings with Bangladesh since 2001.
“Looking at recent form, we are sitting in a good position.
“It’s unfortunate that Williams, Jarvis and Chatara will miss out, but it gives an opportunity to others.
“The Test will be a challenge with it being played in Dhaka in which Bangladesh have had great success there.
“I would say we are underdogs but we go in with no pressure whereas Bangladesh are playing at home, so have a lot of added pressures to deal with,” said Ervine.
