by Abhai Sawkar Zimbabwe cricket has been steadily improving since the beginning of this year, and the younger players have been well nurtured for tougher upcoming contests. Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu helped select a squad of 16 richly talented youngsters to spend a season play club cricket in England, which would help develop and enhance their game. The results overall were a mixed bag, but there was plenty to learn for the Zimbabwe Rising Stars squad. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to interview one of the Rising Stars players, offspinning allrounder Thamsanqa Keith Nunu. Nunu has been touted as the next upcoming matchwinner, and considering Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer is also a spin-bowling allrounder, he has potential to lead the side at some point. Here's what he had to share in the Q&A session: Me: On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your individual performance overall? (10 = best) And why? Thamsanqa: To be honest, I know I have not got to my best performance. I think I'd rate myself a 6 and I will work harder to get to the 10. Me: Of all the games played, which one would you really want to relive and why? Thamsanqa: From all the games, I'd love to go back to the game i got my first 5-fer against a top premier league team, it was awesome. 5-23 in 10 overs. Me: I noticed there was no official captain for Zimbabwe Rising Stars. If you're captain, give me a quality that would best describe you. Thamsanqa: Actually I got a chance to captain, although it wasn't the result i was looking for, but it was a pleasure to captain against a county side. I'd describe myself as a fearless captain. Me: What has the England tour meant to you? Thamsanqa: Well, the England tour to me has helped me to understand my game and it has opened doors for me, as we speak I'm yet to make my 1st class debut back home and I promise it will be a bang, have continued to put in work and I simply can't wait. Me: Who are your cricketing idols as of now, and how has each one inspired you? Thamsanqa: The player I looked up to, well, my cricketing idol will have to be Michael Clarke, he was a quality player. Very composed. Me: Finally, now that the ZRS tour has finished, what's your message to the fans at home and Zimbabwe fans from different parts of the world? Thamsanqa: Well, my message is simple. Zimbabwe cricket is going nowhere but to the top. It was great to rub shoulders with the great cricketers of our generation, so to our supporters, please keep supporting. We'll not disappoint. Nunu has been a valuable feature in the Zimbabwe Rising Stars, and has shone with bat and ball on several occasions during the England tour. It would be great to see him play his first first-class game in Zimbabwe, and bank on the experience during the summer. So far, it's been a season to savor for the youngsters. The Rising Stars even beat the Matabeleland Tuskers in the ongoing Logan Cup, Zimbabwe's first-class tournament. With many more 4-day matches to go, my best wishes are with the newly created Harare-based franchise. A big thanks to Nunu for his time and availability, and hope to see him in national colors soon!
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AuthorsAkseli Pitkänen Archives
September 2020
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