Image source– X (ZimCricketv)
For any structure to withstand the test of time, it must be built on a solid foundation. This is a principle we’re all familiar with—whether we’re building homes, organizations, or perhaps even dreams.
Well, the same mantra also holds true in cricket where the best teams in the world are blessed with a strong foundation or infrastructure that possibly serves as the breeding ground for talent to soar to levels that are worthy of blossoming in national colours.
Look at the likes of India with the IPL, Australia with the Big Bash and England with the Hundred and one would whole heartedly agree!
These domestic tournaments are money spinners and perhaps that’s a big reason the talent gets the much-needed foundation to showcase their potential, as a result of which the aforementioned countries continue to dominate world cricket.
Speaking about the word dominate, a country that possiblydoesn’t spring to mind in this cricketing mould is the Southern African nation of Zimbabwe. A land that has shown shades of brilliance amid oodles of mediocrity albeit in cricketing terms.
A journey through the annals of time to reminisce the successful 1999 ODI World Cup campaign, coupled with the 2007 T20 World Cup win over Australia and the 2017 ODI series win over Sri Lanka, has undoubtedly showed what this nation is capable of.
Add to this, the recent conquest of Bangladesh in their own den by three wickets in the first Test courtesy Blessing Muzarabani’s solid nine-wicket haul. This triumph was made all the more significant as it marked Zimbabwe’s first Test win away from home in over four years.
And then at the polar opposite, long periods of mediocritywith barely managing to win a game let alone a series, coming up short in the last 11 Tests before the Bangladesh game,complemented by the disappointment of losing out on qualification for the last two ODI World Cups courtesy a failing cricketing infrastructure due to lack of funds amid a crumbling economy and one definitely is filled with a myriad of emotions.
With this being said, there is still hope as Zimbabwe despite being devoid of a capable foundation have managed to produce some fine young talent recently that is carving their niche in world cricket.
Ask the likes of Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch and Johnathan Campbell and they would whole heartedly agree and here is why:
Brian Bennett
one of the most capable youngsters currently in the Zimbabwe fold, this 21-year-old right hander has already notched up a Test and ODI ton in a handful of matches. His Test century came against Afghanistan when he scored 110 of just 124 deliveries in December last year which was crucial for his team to draw the Test. He also played a magnanimous role in the Chevrons trumping Bangladesh in the recently concluded first Test scoring a half a ton in each innings.
His ODI century was also equally critical with a whopping 169 of just 163 balls against Ireland in February this year as Zimbabwe thrashed the Irish by 49 runs in this outing. And if these feats were not praise worthy enough in his nascent career, Bennett has also already notched up almost 700 runs in his T20I career with three fifties boasting a strike rate of almost 140.
Ben Curran
The son of former Zimbabwean player Kevin Curran and the sibling of Sam and Tom who represent England, Ben chose to play for the country of his birth and boy has it paid dividends.
This southpaw has already scored a fifty in a handful of Tests along with a century in ODIs, serving as a very capable opener that Zimbabwe has been searching for since the mighty fine Neil Johnson called quits on his international career rather unexpectedly despite being in his prime.
Nick Welch
Another gifted youngster in the Chevronsfold, this right-handed bat has the potential to make the all-important number three position his own in Test cricket. Having already notched up a 90 in his debut Test against Ireland, Nick has shown the perfect mix of being solid in defence and capable in attack as the situation demands, reminding the cricketing faithful of a certain Murray Goodwin who perhaps was one of the most accomplished one-down batters for Zimbabwe in the red ball game.
Johnathan Campbell
The son of the great Zimbabwean player and captain Alistair, this young lad undoubtedly has big boots to fill. Having already made his Test debut albeit also as captain in the absence of the injured Craig Ervine against Ireland, this southpaw is yet to make the international game his own. With this being said, his talent and temperament is right up there as he soared to a career best domestic season for the Southern Rocks, a franchise in Zimbabwe in 2023-24, where he scored 675 runs in six matches at an average of 61.36 including four centuries that earned him a call to the senior side after.
With such capable domestic records, one would undoubtedly hope for Johnathan to come good sooner than later in the international fold making his old man proud.
With such wealth of talent emerging, Zimbabwe’s cricketing future looks bright, complemented by experienced veterans like Craig Ervine and Sean Williams, who have led the run-scoring charge for the Chevrons in the past year. As they face a reeling Bangladesh in the upcoming second Test after already flying high in the first one followed by games against tough oppositions in England, South Africa, and New Zealand, the stage is set for an exciting and challenging period ahead for the team.
The Zimbabwean faithful would most certainly hope with so much cricket to be played, their team can soar to more victories, with the start already laid in this cycle of the World Test Championship, which should unquestionably make the powers at play realise that when the talent is performing, it’s their duty to provide the right infrastructure.
Perhaps, once that’s in place, the word “conundrum” can be reserved for areas outside of cricket.
