The home of Zimbabwean former players & they should return

[Kopje]

I hv some news abt Ryan Higgins.20 years old Ryan Higgins who is a leg spinner has played for Chippenham Cricket Club in England in the 2008 season.

Ryan Higgins has played 12 matches for his club and topped the batting average scoring 576 runs at 82.29 with 3X50,3X100,best 122*.He has the less bowling average for his club taking 19 wickets at just 7.53,best 9/37 with twice 5 wicket hauls.
Here is the link of his statistics in his club website:

http://chippenham.play-cricket.com/prof ... d=10786274

Ryan Higgins has played 11 ODIs for Zimbabwe and has taken 13 wickets at 29.33,best 4/21.He has played 3 FC match and 14 List A match.He last played for Zimbabwe in 2006.It is yet to be seen that if he wants to play for the national side again.

*Ryan higgins goes to bristol university in the UK.(Information from Zimfan1)

I live in Bristol, i should link up with Ryan. I met Ireland once sometime back.

[Detective RDS]

I live in Bristol, i should link up with Ryan. I met Ireland once sometime back.

Well Kopje,BEST OF LUCK for doing that

[Detective RDS]

ANDY BLIGNAUT

Andy Blignaut was an allrounder of Zimbabwe till 2005 and now ages 30.Andy Blignaut played in Australia for Tasmania after joining with the rebels.But he was released from Tasmania early due to injury and poor form.Even he failed to make an impact in the club level.He later joined briefly with Durham,a team of English County Cricket.He returned to Zimbabwe in 2005 and played for the national side in the test series vs New Zealand,Videocon Cup(ZIM-IND-NZ) and in the test series against India.Even he was offered to be the captain of the side which was touring to West Indies.He wasnt paid by ZC for the 2 test series and Videocon Cup which he played for Zimbabwe.So,he refused to play for Zimbabwe until he is paid.Then,he played for Highveld Lions in South Africa in 2006 but wasnt listed in the squad of Lions in 2007.He is probably living in South Africa.

I tried a lot to find information abt Andy Blignaut in the net but failed.But I did find a website where he is rated there as a 'Wasted Talent'.That's what they wrote abt him:

Wasted Talents : Andy Blignaut

If Andy Blignaut were a story, then its moral would be --" Talent need not necessarily mean success". Blignaut is that kind of player you would love to have in the team. He can win matches for you, when all seems lost. Blignaut is also the kind of player whom you would hate to have in the team. He can lose you matches with his impetuous cricket.

At first glance, Blignaut looks more a fashion model than an international cricketer. Maybe that was the reason he never took his cricket seriously. He debuted for his country at time when Zimbabwe was playing its best cricket. Those were the times when Zimbabwe had players like Andy and Grant Flower, Heath Streak, Guy Whittall , Paul Strang , Travis Friend in its ranks. It was arguably the most talented Zimbabwean team to have taken the field. But it didn’t take long for Blignaut to make his mark. In his very first test match, he took 5 for 73 against Bangladesh. He caught many an eye, with his powerful hitting and his ability to cross 140 kmph in most of his deliveries. After an impressive debut season, Blignaut, unsurprisingly lost interest in the game and sat out for the majority of the 2001/2002 season. Thankfully he made a comeback, against Pakistan, where he took another five wicket haul to indicate he didn’t lose the touch yet. A string of good performances followed. But, Blignaut's finest hour came in the group match between Zimbabwe and Australia in the 2003 world cup. Coming in at 28 for 2, he hammered the Australian attack consisting of Mcgrath, Gillespie, Lee and Hogg for a 25 ball 50, eventually getting out for 61. It was an onslaught that the Aussies clearly didn’t expect.

Just when things began to look up in his career, disaster struck. He was among the players who protested against the policies of the Zimbabwean government and paid a heavy price for it in the form of being sacked from the team. He then left Zimbabwe and played for a variety of teams, including Tasmania, Durham. His spells here were dogged by injuries and he could quite not strike the form he was looking for. Blignaut has, slowly drifted into cricketing oblivion.

There is a certain class of players who always evoke one reaction -- “If only!". Afridi , Sehwag , Blignaut all fall in this class. If only they had managed to tame their cricketing instincts, they could have achieved far more in the world of cricket. But maybe we are expecting the wrong things from these players. Maybe its their cavalier attitude that helps them to produce the kind of cricket we love them for. Such sort of players add flavor to the game, help light up a dull afternoon. Cricket needs such performers. They make cricket what it is -- a game of glorious uncertainties.

Andy Blignaut was one of the 3 players who was offered a long time contract back in 2005 with Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu while a large number of white players failed to get a contract.But just after that Heath Streak retired from international cricket to captain the English county side Warwickshire.Streak ended his stint with Warwickshire due to poor form in 2007 and later joined ICL to play for Ahmedabad Rockets which shows that he has ended his career and it's also known that he is planning for a coaching career after he quit Cricket.Tatenda Taibu quit Zimbabwe in 2005 and played club cricket in
South Africa,Bangladesh and England.Taibu also represented the national side of Namibia.But he returned to Zimbabwe again and joined the national side and he now plays for Zimbabwe as an important member of the team.But Blignaut still remains out of picture...No current info abt him...

[Detective RDS]

DOUGLAS MARILLIER

Douglas Marillier who is a right handed batsman and a useful offspinner and also knows wicket-keeping now ages 30.I hv got the following news abt him:

1) Marillier quit Zimbabwean cricket at the end of the match 2004 just before the rebels after being disillusioned and angry with ZCU.Marillier then went to play club cricket in England and played for Fleetwood Cricket Club in the 2004 season.

Source:

English option for Zimbabwe players
Link> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3661113.stm

Marillier - 'No resolution in prospect'
Link> http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/zimbabw ... 34712.html

2) Differenet news confirms that,he returned to Zimbawe in 2005.
*Marillier played for the Zimbabwe A team(before announcing the contract by ZC).

Source:

Pakistan A in Zimbabwe, 2005
Carlisle leads Zimbabwe A
Cricinfo staff
May 3, 2005

One-Day squad:Stuart Carlisle (capt), Blessing Mahwire,Keith Dabengwa, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Brendan Taylor, Mark Vermeulen, Douglas Marillier, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Sean Williams, Tawanda Mupariwa, Anthony Ireland, Ian Nicholson, Gavin Ewing, Charles Coventry.

3) Douglas Marillier wasnt offered a contract by ZC in September,2005.

Source:

Zimbabwe player contracts
Players say new contracts 'a body blow'
Cricinfo staff
September 3, 2005

four other senior players, Trevor Gripper, Doug Marillier, Mark Vermuelen and Mluleki Nkala, did not even make the initial list of 27 players to get the level-one performance-based contracts.

4) Marillier also played for Zimbabwean board 11 team as the captain in South Africa(After not being offered a contract).

Source:

Zimbabwe President's XI to play in Duleep Trophy
Cricinfo staff
October 9, 2005

Board XI to play in South Africa: Douglas Marillier (captain), Alester Maregwede (vice-captain-wicketkeeper), Gavin Ewing, Mark Vermeulen, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Colin De Grandhomme, Edward Rainsford, Christopher Mpofu, Allan Mwayenga, Barnard Mlambo, Tinashe Hove, Trevor Garwe, Innocent Chinyoka, Tino Mawoyo, Gregory Strydom.

5) Marillier wasnt recorded in any team of Zimbabwe after the 2005 season.I read that probably Marillier didnt want to wait which he though just useless to do for the selection of the national team and he went to play club cricket in England.Marillier is listed in the Birmingham and District Premier League in England as a player.I dont know in which club Marillier is playing for.

LATEST:

1) Douglas Marillier and Gavin Ewing both expressed their intention to return in the national side before the World Cup 2007.But none of them returned.

Source:

Overseas and former players
ZC Player Chase Continues
Fri, 19/01/2007 - 00:32 — admin
Link> http://sandbox.zimcricketnews.com/taxon ... /26?page=3

It's not all bad news, though - Gavin Ewing and Doug Marillier have both apparently indicated their willingness to return to the side.

2) I hv noticed while watching the matches of ICL,the commentators used to talk abt Douglas Marillier especially when the batsmen play the 'Marillier Shot' which he played against McGrath and in an ODI victory against India.I hv a feeling that just a feeling,Marillier is definitely offered a contract by ICL.If they really offered him,then Marillier refused to play,the reson could be he wanted to play for Zimbabwe again.....

After searching quite a lot in the net,thats what I got abt him.

[Detective RDS]

It seems that finally this topic has got its first success after ZC gave green signal on Vermeulen's selection.

Anyway,I have found an article about Gavin Ewing in the net.So,I think I should quote here it:

Professionals and amateurs

Cricket Professional - Gavin Ewing


27 year old Gavin Mackie Ewing [Ed: now that's a Jock name!] came to the Mighty for the first time in season 2008, following hard on the heals of fellow southern African Garry Hampson. And, like the G', Boothy came in tandem with a better half. 2005 Pro' Wes Thomas arrived with a girlfriend and now has a wife; 2006 and 2007 pro' G' came first with a fiancee and now has a wife; and Gavin arrived with fiancee Chantelle! What is it about 'Locsters and their women-folk!


Back to Gav's cricketing C.V. A former Test and ODI player, he's a top-class all-rounder - an aggressive top-middle order batsman and off-spin bowler. His first class record speaks for itself, averaging 37.69, with a high score of 212, and taking 96 wickets at 32.25. And it was Boothy's bowling that first drew the attention of the Zimbabwean selectors, having finished in the top ten wicket-takers at the 1999 U19 World Cup. Then, only nine months after his First Class debut, he was selected in the national squad to play the touring Pakistanis in the 2002/03 season. This was followed by touring Australia with Zimbabwe.


His Test high score's 71, with best bowling of 3-31 against New Zealand.


And Gavin was no stranger to the UK having played consecutive seasons for Orrell in the Liverpool & District League in 2000 and 2001.


Back in Zimbabwean domestic cric' he played for Matabeleland but was, though, one of the original fifteen "rebels" who fell out with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union in '04, only to settle his differences and return to the national side when England toured later that year. But further issues resulted in him resigning from both international and domestic cricket in Zimbabwe a year later.


Since his first visit, Gavin's returned to the UK twice, and performed with great success. In 2006 for Beccles Town (averaging 62.86 with the bat and 9.53 with the ball), and in 2007 for Devon ECB Premier League side Paignton (averaging 34.82 in addition to taking 27 wickets at 17.85). More recently, Boothy's played in New Zealand for Inglewood in the Taranaki Premier Competition averaging around 40 with the bat and 17.50 with his off-spin.


Copyright © 2009 Poloc Cricket Club. All Rights Reserved.
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Link: http://www.poloc.com/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=13

tlse wrote this about Gavin Ewing a few months ago:

some news about former layers: gavin ewing is playing in new zealand from oct to march and in england from april to sept and have no intention to return unless things change in zim

[Detective RDS]

Looks like Brian Murphy is playing club cricket in USA.

Link: http://www.dreamcricket.com/dreamcricke ... 004&ntid=4

Some part of the article:

This was one of four centuries scored this year which also included one by Jonathan Smith and two by the West Haven CC and League captain Prasad Sahasrabudhe. Other players to get into the nineties includes Jonathan Smith twice, Francois Rahul and Brian Murphy but in the final analysis it was Prasanna Ramaswany who emerge with the best run aggregate of 437 runs and the MVP trophy with 677 points.

............................

In the game which featured Bridgeport and New Milford, New Milford batted first and scored 198 thanks to a great knock from Man of the Match Brian Murphy who also got 3 for 31 when it was his turn to bowl. Trevor Smith ended up with 3 wickets for Bridgeport.

[Detective RDS]

Looks like Brendan Taylor showed good performance while playing for North Melbourne CC in Australia.

Link: http://northmelb.cricketvictoria.com.au ... te_id=1276

Here is a picture of Brendan Taylor in North Melbourne CC outfits:

Brendan Taylor in North Melbourne CC colour

81440[1].jpg (74.37 KiB) Viewed 4779 times

[Detective RDS]

It looks like Terrence Duffin and Gregory Strydom enjoyed a brilliant club season in New Zealand in Kiwi summer.

Link: http://www.northcricket.co.nz/

Some part of the website:

The club professional of the year was a two horse race between Zimbabwean compatriots Terry Duffin and Greg Strydom who both had outstanding seasons.
The MVP for the Professional Premier Club Player of the season, receiving the Norm Wilson Trophy, is Greg Strydom. Greg has had an exceptional season on 1530 points (486 points clear his nearest rival) Greg scored 720 runs and took 54 wickets

[Detective RDS]

Gregory Strydom played for Onerahi Central CC in the club season of NZ.He performed brilliantly both with the bat and with the ball.Here are a few highlights of his performance:

Link 1: http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local ... ubsection=

LOCAL SPORT

CRICKET - Strydom wreaks havoc at Kamo

16.02.2009
by Peter Thorley

Zimbabwean professional Greg Strydom proved to be the star turn as Onerahi-Central continued their domination of the Northland two-day competition with a win over Kamo on Saturday.

The result was the only completed match in the premier grade and pushes Onerahi further clear of the chasing pack, making them likely finalists next month.

The home side resumed at 2/20, still trailing Onerahi's first innings total by 20-odd runs and scored 157 all out, with Strydom doing the damage by taking six fairly cheap wickets.

Taken in the context of the match, and added to his first innings haul of five, it was worth writing home about.


Onerahi were left with 112 runs to get for victory but, with the rain approaching quickly, a win was by no means certain.
The Kamo bowlers chipped out the top order as the batsmen sought to push the pace and it was left to Nic Breslin (33no) and Aaron Bradley (25no) to see their side home - much to everyone's surprise.

"We went in just to have a go really because the rain was coming and we ended up chasing it down with the rain getting pretty heavy, because the umpires let us carry on," Strydom said.

At Maungakaramea, the home side made a sporting declaration before the start of play, more than 50 runs behind City's first innings total, to try and get a result out of the match.

The plan got off to a good start with some tight bowling having City in a spot of bother at 160/9. John Child took five wickets on a surface that was doing plenty, while Andy Thompson took three. Only Bert Horner got a score for City, with 55 runs, but the rain then got in the way of Maungakaramea's plans, ending the day's play well shy of a result.

Kaipara Flats were not able to add to their score of 2/71 in reply to Whangarei Boys' High School's first innings total of 165 all out and neither team earned points, with the entire day's play washed out.

The school's second XI got a good start against the senior grade's form team, Dargaville Cricket Club, by having them seven down for 219 after 59 overs, before rain halted their fixture.

Terry Duncan (74) and Tom Guy (48) were the main scorers for Dargaville, while Api Packiyarajah took 3/47 and Alex Seymour 2/17.

[Detective RDS]

Highlights of the performance of Gregory Strydom for Onerahi Central CC in NZ:

Link 2: http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local ... ubsection=

LOCAL SPORT

Greg Strydom in action during City's innings. Picture/John Stone

Gregory Strydom.jpg (53.2 KiB) Viewed 4716 times

CRICKET - Wedding and cricket game all in a day's play

16.03.2009
by Peter Thorley

Gavin Benney doesn't claim to be a cricketer, but he is used to being called out to an emergency, so when he got an SOS call on Saturday he knew what to do.

The Hikurangi policeman was attending a friend's wedding at Waikaraka when he got a call from Onerahi-Central's Geoff Bigwood for back-up.

Onerahi's fate in the premier two-day competition hung in the balance with their tail disintegrating as they chased a winning total of 158 against City in their final-round match.

The club's Zimbabwean professional Greg Styrdom was holding up one end but the 10-man side was losing regular wickets at the other end.

Benney left the wedding slightly early and, in his words, "flew" in to get to Kensington Park in time. "As I was running across the field, the last wicket fell and City started celebrating - you couldn't have scripted it better - if I'd arrived one minute later it would have been too late," Benney said.

Benney might not win a popularity contest in the City team. "They weren't too pleased to see me walking out to bat in the pants I wore to the wedding. It was all pretty hard case."

It was Benney's third appearance for Onerahi - all of them have been when the team was short. "I'm not a cricketer, and there wasn't a good cricket shot played by me on Saturday. I was just out there to survive."

He finished on nought not out but Onerahi won the match by the narrowest of margins - by one wicket - with Strydom unbeaten at the other end on 52.

After a celebratory beer or two at the Onerahi clubrooms, Benney went next door to the ASB Centre to attend the wedding reception in what worked out to be a seamless day's play.

"I don't think I'll get the call for the final next week. But you never know - I'm always available," he joked.

The result means Onerahi will face Whangarei Boys' High School in the two-day final set down for Saturday and Sunday at Cobham Oval.

Whangarei BHS reached the final when Maungakaramea forfeited their match against the students on Saturday.

The only other premier grade match saw Kaipara Flats beat Kamo by 99 runs, with Kaipara's Tas Satti playing a starring role, top-scoring with 53 and taking 4/19 as Kamo were rolled for 98.