Zimbabwe's rough diamond

[zimfan1]

Zimbabwe's rough diamond


Never mind Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram and AB de Villiers, forget Brendan Taylor, Rusty Theron and David Miller, the player who has provided the greatest cause for optimism in the ongoing South Africa-Zimbabwe ODI series so far has been Shingirai Masakadza.

Two games into the three-match ODI series between the Proteas and their northern neighbours and there have been a number of performances to write home about.

Amla has, in comparison, made Graeme Smith look a Sunday league player at times, de Villiers showed in Potchefstroom just why he's the world's best in ODIs, while Theron and Ingram have made seriously encouraging starts to their international careers.

For Zimbabwe, Taylor is a class act at the top of the order and Tatenda Taibu's 78 on Sunday was full of his characteristic energy and fight.

Fair play, there has been a healthy range of talent on show across two ODIs.

It seems ludicrous then to suggest that the younger Masakadza brother should be singled out above the rest, in fact a career economy rate of 8.56 would indicate some serious clutching at straws.

But, in 19 eventful overs in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, the 24-year old has emerged as the individual with the greatest potential to make a positive impact on the future fortunes of his country.

There are two reasons for this really: firstly Zimbabwe's crucial need for competent pace bowlers, particularly at the death, and secondly the rare signs that indicate that Masakadza is a genuine fast bowling prospect.

Zimbabwe's batting, while by no means destructive, has a definite solid look to it these days with Taylor a key man. Ray Price's return to action meanwhile will boost a plethora of capable spin bowling options. Where Zimbabwe is glaringly lacking is a shortage of fast bowling stock - South Africa got off to rollicking starts in Bloemfontein and Potchofestroom and in the first game poor Graeme Cremer had to carry the burden of bowling at the death with two left-handers at the crease happy to have a dip at his leg-spin.

There is a void to fill, obviously, but is Masakadza really a genuine fast bowling prospect?

By his economy rate, no, but by his attitude yes.

Remember the early days of Dale Steyn when he was carted around the ground only to emerge as the world's leading bowler? While Masakadza might not reach such heady heights, he did maintain a level temperament throughout the beatings taken in Bloem' and Potch' and was intent on trying and learning as much as he could.

Countless slower balls were given a go and most of them landed in the right area, with the ball out of the back of the hand particularly impressive. JP Duminy was greeted at the crease by a sharp bouncer, showing both intelligence and the ability to back it up with pace. Graeme Smith found the sharp bounce from the Zimbabwean opener tough to come to terms with on Sunday, while a yorker on Friday proved too good for the in-form Miller.

The Zimbabwean captain clearly has faith in Masakadza too. Elton Chigumbura used his paceman for a full quota of overs in the first ODI despite going for eight runs an over, and in the second ODI he bowled nine overs out of the total of 38.

The fast bowler's South African education has not just been confined to his experiences in the middle either. Proteas legend Allan Donald this season took the reins of Masakadza's domestic franchise, the Mountaineers, and has undoubtedly had an impact on Shingirai's career already. Lance Klusener is also at the Mountaineers and his experience and knowledge of cutters and slower balls will be extremely useful to the Zimbabwean.

A talented soccer player, Masakadza chose to trade in his boots for cricket in 2008 and since then has shown his worth in domestic cricket. In the 2009-2010 Logan Cup, Zimbabwe's first-class competition, he took 42 wickets, the most by a seamer, and also helped his domestic franchise to both the 50-over and T20 titles.

That form earned him a first international call-up in March this year when he made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Guyana. Given just three overs he leaked 36 runs but was the hero at the end of the game, in two overs taking three key wickets to ensure Zimbabwe's victory by two runs.

After just four ODIs, Shingirai clearly is not the finished article but there is definitely something special about this guy. With a penchant for learning, the right people around him and his ability to execute a tough set of skills, there is real cause for optimism in Zimbabwean ranks.

http://www.cricket365.com/zimbabwe/stor ... gh-diamond

[eugene]

This is the most positive article I have seen written about a bowler who goes for more than 8 an over.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Hope Shingi doesn't read this article. We have seen dozens of pacers in India disappear, thanks to all the hype created around them after one good performance. Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, you name them.

This looks more like a fanatic writeup. He has miles to go before he is praised ahead of other names mentioned in the article. Of course I would be happy to read a similar article a year from now (with a better economy rate to boast of)...

[bayhaus]

Proteas legend Allan Donald this season took the reins of Masakadza's domestic franchise, the Mountaineers,

This is the real good news here! If Shingi can learn and listen to this dude and take up his attitude as well then he will reach great heights. he couldnt have a better coach and mentor!

[ZIMDOGGY]

This is the most positive article I have seen written about a bowler who goes for more than 8 an over.

lol my thoughts exactly.