Zimbabwe Cricket: Masakadza’s big promise

BATSMAN Hamilton Masakadza has vowed to perform big in the “special” one-off Test match against South Africa next month.
Masakadza, who will be turning 32 on the first day of the Test, is satisfied with preparations thus far and emphasises that it is important for Zimbabwe to take the touring Afghanistan to the cleaners in the build-up to the Proteas’ challenge.

“Everything is going well,” he said.

“The guys have been working really hard. We have done a lot of fitness work.

“We don’t play a lot of games as Zimbabwe, so every game we do get to play is important. Afghanistan are an associate nation and we have been in the mix for much longer than them, so it is important that we play well and beat them soundly,” Masakadza told The Sunday Mail on the sidelines of a warm-up match against Zimbabwe A at CFX last week.

Zimbabwe will engage the Afghanis in four ODIs from July 18-24 in Bulawayo before hosting the Proteas in a Test from August 9 in Harare.

Masakadza is relishing the Proteas Test.

“It is a special game not only because of my birthday but also because SA has always been a very big tour for me.

“Growing up those were the guys I used to look up to because they are just next door to us, so it is important to play well against them.

“I am the most senior player at the moment ever since Raymond (Price) retired, so obviously I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.

“There is always pressure playing international cricket and playing at the highest level, pressure to do well for your country and your team,” said Masakadza, who has played 25 Test matches.

Asked of the view that he is a second innings player who often follows up a poor first innings score with a bigger one, Masakadza said: “I have never really looked at that, to be honest. I just try to go out and do what’s required.

“I basically go out there and try to get a good start and it is important to set it up in the first innings.”

In seven Tests between the two sides since 1996 Zimbabwe have lost in four days or less.

Masakadza hopes this time “we will be competitive and not be blown away, the longer we stay in the game the better.”