Chris Mpofu: 16 not out!

He made his international cricket debut in the same match with English “greats”, Kevin Petersen and Ian Bell, on November 28 2004. He reckons it was his best birthday present since he had turned 19 on the eve of his first Zimbabwe match.

From that Zimbabwe team only him, Brendan Taylor and Elton Chigumbura are still active international cricketers. In The Oval this week, Brighton Zhawi chats with Christopher Mpofu . . . By the way Bobby is his first name. Read on . . .

BZ: It’s been 16 years since a young Christopher Mpofu made his international cricket debut. Does it even feel like 16 years?

CM: It has been a long ride, but feels short because I have enjoyed the journey and still enjoy it.

BZ: What do you remember about your debut?

CM: Not a lot, but at the same time I know it was memorable. I was too young, things where just happening, everything I touched that day was going my way, except the golden (duck) I got from Darren Gough. All-in-all, it was memorable.

BZ: Alright, let me help you remember the day: November 28, 2004 . . .

CM: Definitely, 28 November 2004 a day after my birthday, got told I was in the team two days before my debut. Shockingly, I didn’t get any wicket against England on that series in three games and bowled amazing. And got first wicket in Test against Bangladesh, Habibul Bashar.

BZ: Does any birthday present match that?

CM: No ways, nothing beats that, bro.

BZ: Your first over in international cricket, do you recall?

CM: I was too young and didn’t know a lot, I just ran in and bowled.

BZ: Your first over was a maiden.

CM: Yes, it was I recall that.

BZ: Do you remember who also made their debuts in the same match?

CM: Kev Petersen.

BZ: And the guy you bowled your first over to … remember him?

CM: This one is a bit tricky. I think, it was Michael Vaughan or Ian Bell, between those two.

BZ: It was Ian Bell

CM: Laughs

BZ: KP and Bell are no longer playing international cricket, Mpofu is still going on . . . how is that?

CM: (laughs) Bell wasn’t making England no more, but been scoring runs and KP, guess he decided to quit early maybe body-wise and they were older than me also . . . but for me, damn I’m loving the game still feeling good, and not struggling with my fitness. So as long as I breathe and I’m fit, I’m gonna keep going.

BZ: How does a 34-year-old keep fit?

CM: I have kept my routine of working hard, doing my running, press-ups and I have been blessed to get programmes from our fitness trainer to work with.

I guess my lifestyle (has helped me stay fit), I gave up lots of things like drinking and few other things so that has helped lots . . . and of course, I guess God has helped in lots of things I feel blessed.

BZ: From the Zimbabwe team you made your debut in, only Elty and BT are still playing international. It must be a blessing to be around this long.

CM: Yeah for me it is a blessing and I don’t take it for granted, I don’t think it’s because I’m clever or too wise, I think it’s been the love of God, mercy and His mighty power and the way I been feeling I sometimes get amazed on how I still feel even after bowling in a four-day game . . . so I’m grateful and will continue to do so.

BZ: You have been priviledged to play all formats of the game. Which one is your favourite or preferred format?

CM: Test cricket is the real game, but I have grown to be so much in love with white ball cricket especially T20, it just tests your character and skill.

BZ: You are 16 ODIs away from reaching 100 caps and seven wickets away from reaching 100th mark. How nice will it be to reach such milestones?

CM: Yeah, it will be a real amazing mark and achievement for me, but I take each day as it comes, so will do my best to do such as long I’m keeping myself fit and getting the job done.

BZ: For someone who has played for such a long time. How difficult is it to pick your favourite cricket moment?

CM: Quiet hard for sure, but they will always be some that stand out, being part of the team that beat Sri Lanka away to win the series, beating Australia in the T20 World Cup and getting four wickets against Afghanistan, and drawing the T20 series against India.

BZ: At some point when you weren’t picked in the national team, naysayers had ruled you out, saying, ‘Bobby’ is done. Did you also think that was the end or beginning of it?

CM: At that moment I realised that God has the final say, if you believe what people say you will get the result of the people, but if you believe what God says you will get His word, so I said as long I work hard and pray about it, I’m good enough to come back, for faith with no works is dead . . . so at the end of the day in life you choose to bow to the bad things people say or to the good things that you know you can do.

BZ: And in cricket circles you are popularly known as Bobby. Seems like Bobby is one guy and Chris another. People love your second name. How did it come to that?

CM: Bobby is the first name and Chris the second, but fans love Chris more and teammates use Bobby a lot and they normally use Bobby-Joe. I don’t mind, I enjoy it and some use Magwegwe, I take all that.

Are you telling me you are also Joe, Bobby Christopher Joe?

CM: Chris Mpofu: Joe came from teammates who started calling me Bobby-Joe, I remember Hammy (Masakadza) using it a lot. Magwegwe is where I grew up and they called me Magwegwe Express.

BZ: Last week I talked to Carl Mumba who said growing up, he wanted to be a Christopher Mpofu. Who did Christopher Mpofu aspire to be?

CM: I really started cricket very late and learnt through TV, most of the bowling around 1999 and turned everything around so I watched few bowlers that I enjoyed and (Heath) Streak and Curtly Ambrose where those people I really loved and enjoyed. But (I am) humbled by Mumba, it means a lot.

BZ: There a number of stories on where you came from, where did you come from, your cricket journey till November 28, 2004?

CM: I was born in Plumtree, but did my Form One in Bulawayo in Magwegwe. I didn’t know anything about cricket and when I got to know it in 1998 on TV I hated it with a passion. I would even switch the TV off as I used to be a person of athletics at (Matjinge) Primary School.

But in 1999, I said let me try watch a bit of it that was during the World Cup held in England and I got to like and know the rules on my own.

I started to use lemons and planks to play in the streets with my friend called Mdu, sadly he passed on about eight years ago . . . and from there in 2000 I was in Form 3 (at Magwegwe High) I joined the school team and played my first game as a keeper and batted number 11, I had no choice because the position available was the keeper and loved the game so I just did it.

BZ: Some say you played in New Zealand before breaking into the national side?

CM: No, I was in Australia at the academy at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

BZ: For someone who disliked the game you went onto to be a big fan of it demonstrated by your passion and enthusiasm on the field. Am sure now you are a cricket addict or Nuffie as they like to call it . . .

CM: Yeah, cricket is part of my life, I love playing, watching it, giving advice and info . . . it’s actually a sport that is addictive, like now I’m missing it so badly

BZ: So how have you been dealing with it. Addicts in some circles shake when they miss their thing(s)?

CM: I have kept myself busy at home with my fitness, push-ups, pull ups, and watching some old clips of cricket. It has been hard but there is a lot to do.

BZ: Tell me about those celebrations. You once put Hashim Amla in your pocket, seems like every wicket has its own celebration?

CM: I always have celebrations especially for big wickets I make that. I celebrate wickets because they aren’t easy to come along.

BZ: And you are a crowd favourite, how does that make you feel? 

CM: To me it’s a blessing, I don’t try and make people love me. There are other things that you can do to get that and that’s to move along with the crowd but making sure it doesn’t distract your game, but out of all remain humble in life.

BZ: What’s one special thing that has been done for by your fans?

CM: For me, it is getting that one message on your WhatsApp or Facebook, of someone saying tough luck after a really bad day in the office, to me that shows love, it tells you who the true fan is and I pray always for blessings for such fans.

BZ: Philippians 4 v 33. At some stage it was in your hairstyle?

CM: It’s still my number one verse, even on my boots you will see it’s still there . . . it really inspires me, knowing that with Jesus I cannot be limited, and also to know one of my favourite people, Steph Curry, uses that it’s an honour.

BZ: Religion has become a huge part of you apparently?

CM: I will put it in this way, I am not religious but I m a follower of Christ, I try not to be religious by all means but believe in my Lord and Saviour . . . but I have been born again for the past six years and it’s been an amazing lovely journey and no regrets about the path I took.

BZ: One important things in life is family. How has family helped you to be where you are now?

CM: They have played a big part in my life, sometimes when things are hard they have never given up on me, especially my aunt whom I call my mother, she is the one who has made this journey a . From the time my mother died when I was in Form Two, she never doubted my vision . . .  so I’m grateful.

BZ: Do you have a family of your own?

CM: Yeah, I got a mate. They have been the pillar in my life to go on.

BZ: Are there any bowlers (in Zimbabwe) who are exciting you? Bowlers you feel can make an impact for our cricket?

CM: I have always been a lover of Carl Mumba, the way he works hard, that fella, there is no way he won’t do well for the nation and the injuries he overcame, it makes him a warrior, humble, funny, down-to-earth . . . so I always think he will go far, I think we have a few who can stand up and do well, so we in a good space, discipline will be the key and wanting it more that’s all.

BZ: Are there others who you feel deserve a chance, maybe in development sides? You are an experienced player, am sure you can spot talent as well.

CM: I can say most of the Under-19 boys from the World Cup need that chance and there are guys like (Tuskers bowler Ernest) Masuku, I think he is some genuine fast bowler who can let it go on a good day.

BZ: And have you thought about life after cricket and which path to take?

CM: I try by all means to keep such things onto me, but would love to make sure it’s close to cricket, in  everything I do because I am an addict, so don’t take my pill away (laughs).

BZ: Bobby has a 100, Bobby can bat, Bobby loves batting these days. What changed from the typical Number 11 to a handy lower order batsman?

CM: (laughs) I realised if you put your mind into anything you can do it, so I started thinking the same way and positively the way I do when I’m bowling and thank God the past five years haven’t been the typical Number 11 you know.

BZ: Tell me about the famous 100. It almost made national news. It did though in cricket circles.

CM: It was in the Bonsa Spar T20 tournament that we play every year in Bulawayo, that was about two years ago . . . I went in early and just took my time, looked for ones and twos and started middling it until I got to 50 in the 14th to 15th over and from there I started lashing at few balls and it came out well, and remember getting hold of my friend brother, Steve Chimhamhiwa, in the 18th over where I think I took him for 24 and realised I could get close, last ball I just managed to hit a six, just over long on to score my hundred . . . quite memorable.

BZ: I heard you are the pool or snooker master amongst the local cricket guys. Is that so? And who is that player who gives you a hard time on the pool table?

CM: I’m bloody good, joking, but I really love it a lot, (Tendai) Chatara and (Regis) Chakabva give me hard times I must say.

BZ: What’s the fastest you have driven on the highway. I hear fast bowlers love speed?

Cm: (laughs) In South Africa, by mistake, I was driving my cousin’s Merc, and thought I was on 130 km/hr but I was on miles an hour . . . but I am not reckless on driving.

BZ: Who is the king of swagg in the Zimbabwe cricket team?

CM: (laughs) Quite a few guys, I would say Chamu (Chibhabha), but I don’t call it swag, I call it smart. I admire it at the same time.

BZ: In 2005 Aug there the comical run out when Blessing Mahwire got to his 50. It’s still a moment that make people laugh and enjoy the other side of cricket. You were the culprit there….

CM: It always makes me laugh when I think of it but I was so happy for my teammate. A few months later Murilitharan did it against New Zealand, so it can happen.

BZ: There have been some great comebacks in sports. The Cavaliers in the 2006 NBA champs, Liverpool 2004 Champions League final, to mention but just a few . . . across all sports which one do you rate as the greatest comeback?

CM: Manchester United against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.  … in 2007 Zimbabwe against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club fourth ODI . . . chasing 123 I think they needed about 11 runs in plenty overs with about six wickets in hand and managed to get four wickets, three wickets how it turned around was shocking

BZ: Thanks for your time brother, I appreciate

CM: Thanks to you bro