The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
Three hundred and five days separate the Southern Rocks duo of Roy and Innocent Kaia, and their cricket story seems to have been written by the same author.
Listening to their story, one would be tempted to believe the duo are twins, but alas, they are cousins.
Their story is eerily similar since they were introduced to cricket by their elder brother Knowledge, who has now resigned to playing club cricket.
“I was an avid soccer player, but my brother Knowledge, who was a good friend of Tinotenda Mutombodzi, influenced me to take up cricket during our days at Chengu Primary School in Highfield,” said Roy. It was at this same time that Innocent was introduced to the sport, marking the beginning of their journey together in cricket.
“We started playing together when we were still doing our primary education, and we only got to part ways when we received our scholarships.
“I was awarded a scholarship to go and learn at Prince Edward while Roy’s scholarship enabled him to study at Churchill — this was to be our first separation,” said Innocent.
As the duo was used to playing together, enrolling at two schools known for great rivalry in sports was a cruel twist of fate.
“I remember the day we played against Prince Edward, this was our first time to be on opposing sides. We talked about the game when we were still at home and laughed about it.
“But you know with the rivalry between the two schools, during the match emotions flared. I remember scolding my brother, something that I had not done in my life.
“I think it’s all about that rivalry that is between the two schools,” said Roy, as he burst into laughter. It was to be the last time that the two players were to play on opposing sides.
Roy was to lead his brother at Southern Rocks after being roped into the franchise by Shepherd Makunura following their return from the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2010.
“I remember we were in New Zealand when coach Shepherd Makunura said he wanted me to play for Southern Rocks.
“When I got back I received a call from Givemore Makoni telling me that I was supposed to join Rocks, so when I arrived in Masvingo there was speculation that more players were needed.
“I called Knowledge telling him that Rocks wanted some players; that is how he joined me and you would realise that most of the players that were at Rocks then had passed through Takashinga,” said Roy.
Innocent was to join Rocks in 2012, at a time the eldest of the Kaia brothers, Knowledge, had been sidelined by injuries. But for the young Kaia it was a coincidence to be with Roy at Southern Rocks. “I started off my career at Rocks, not because my brother was there before me. I joined Rocks because of its colours. Remember, I am a PE boy, so the Rocks colours were just the same as those of PE. When I was asked if I wanted to join Rocks, I did not think twice,” said Innocent. The re-union was sweet for the two Kaia boys.
“It was good playing together again because I remember we had last played in the same team during the Under-19 qualifiers against South Africa in 2010,” added the Southern Rocks opener.
Despite Southern Rocks boasting of domestic cricket’s best talent, they were to be the whipping boys of Zimbabwe First Class cricket.
When ICC recommended costing-cutting measures, Southern Rocks was disbanded in 2014, before marking its return to First Class Cricket last year.
The disbandment of the franchise was not strong enough to cut off the bond that exists between the Kaia brothers, as they moved to Mountaineers, where they went on to win three Logan Cup trophies.
It was six years of contrasting experiences for the duo. For Roy, his stay at Mountaineers was a bit tense.
“Inasmuch as I enjoyed my stay at Mountaineers, I would say you would feel the tension between a group of players (Southern Rocks and Mountaineers), so when we heard rumours that Southern Rocks was bouncing back, I was excited,” said Roy.
But for his brother Innocent, his stay was a learning experience.
“It was a good experience. I had no regrets being there,” said Innocent.
When ZC officially revealed that Southern Rocks will be returning to First Class Cricket, the duo again was on the move.
“It was good to be back home (Southern Rocks) and with the experience that we have gained over the years, I feel we need to win the Logan Cup, and nothing will stop us,” said Roy.
It is a conviction that is also shared by his brother Innocent.
Apart from winning the Logan Cup, the Kaia brothers have their eyes fixed on a national team call-up, something they have been looking forward to as they seek to emulate the Masakadza and Flower families.
“Sometimes you wonder what we have been doing wrong. For example, Innocent performs better but he is overlooked, and you just feel like there is a curse on us.
“I have been to the national team once and I want to represent my country again,” said Roy.
“It would be nice if we are to represent the national team together,” Innocent said.
