Bowling search reaping rewards

[PSR]

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a13223 ... ng-rewards

Zimbabwe Cricket gets positive signals from Matabeleland province, as selectors were pleased with the impressive turnout at the fast bowler auditions held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

This is the first of five trials scheduled to take place across the country in a search for talented fast bowlers.

“We had a great turnout of just over forty people who comprised largely of players from clubs around the region. The rest had either never played cricket in their entire lives or last played a while back,” said former Zimbabwe national team player and selector, Kevin Curran.

Participants came from different parts of the province. Among them were a left-arm forty year old man who was inspired to revive his cricket playing days once more and a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) who also felt enthused to try out as the next national team pace bowler.

“Our criteria was simple, all we need are talented individuals with pure raw pace. We have already identified four bowlers who have shown the necessary elements required by a fast bowler, they have made it to the final trials.

"One of these guys has a sling action similar to Lasith Malinga who plays for Sri Lanka, with intensive coaching and a lot of practice any one of these players could make the cut,” said Curran.

The selection panel has decided to extend the selection period following a higher player turnout than expected.

Curren goes on to say, “We will stick around for a day longer and tap into the player base that has just emerging. Our main focus on the second day however is the Under-17 and Under-19 age groups and the rest of the players who did not make it on time on the first run.”

The next trials will be held at Kwekwe Sports Club in Midlands Province on Thursday the 25th of March at 10 a.m.

[zimfan1]

pic

[Mike]

If only I was zimbabwean I would love to have a go

[bayhaus]

heath gotta lose that terribly designed Tshirt...

[sloandog]

heath gotta lose that terribly designed Tshirt...

I can't get over how much weight he's put on

[Flower power]

Maybe he can try rugbuy.lol

[sloandog]

Maybe he can try rugbuy.lol

He's certainly built for it now isn't he

[Kopje]

Maybe he can try rugbuy.lol

Actually he used to play rugby

[ZIMDOGGY]

Why isnt big daddy playing for us?

He is only 35, he should be player/coaching till the end of the 2011 WC.

My opinion.

[maehara]

Latest update from ZC:

FAST BOWLER SEARCH COMES TO HARARE
as selectors head back to the capital for the final leg

Zimbabwe Cricket's (ZC) fast bowler search campaign which was launched at on the 23rd of March now heads to Harare for the final leg on Wednesday, 31 March at Harare Sports Club.

The selection team started the journey at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and progressed to Kwekwe Sports club on the 25th of March. A high turnout and prospects of more talent sprouting in Kadoma drove selectors to explore the area. Kadoma has already produced an international player in medium fast bowler, Edward Rainsford who now plays for the Midwest Rhino and the Zimbabwe national team and the selectors were hoping to be surprised there.

They identified two very tall and strongly built boys in Kadoma, who showed great potential. "Kadoma is quiet town with not as much competitive cricket being played as compared to Harare and Bulawayo and it is a huge eye-opener to discover these boys and I hope they will make in the final selection in Harare on the 10 of April, " said the selector and judge Kevin Curran.

And then it was off to the home of the Southern Rocks, where people came from all over Masvingo to audition. Among the participants were four young cricketers, who travelled more than 200km from Chiredzi to have a shot at the opportunity of every young cricketer's dream. Sheer determination and indisputably raw talent, enabled two of these boys to be selected to progress to the final selection.

"It is amazing how well some of these guys bowl so naturally without any special training or expertise. Some of them are already bowling at an average speed of 120km/h with just the natural instinct of pace bowlers. From the looks of things Chiredzi will be the next resource for fresh talent," said Curran.

Interesting to note were five grounds men who signed up for the trials and had a go at it with the ball. The five work at Masvingo Sports Club, as part of the grounds staff that maintains the cricket pitches and other sporting facilities available. They could be seem slashing and trimming the grass at the edges of club and were delighted to get an opportunity. The staffs at the club enjoy a daily ritual of some back-yard cricket every lunch time in the sand tennis courts using the balls that the franchise no longer needs.

"Anyone can become the next fast bowler and you never know who it may be, this an open invitation to all aspiring cricketers out there. Wasim Akram from Pakistan was picked up by scouts in the most unexpected places and in a space of just under four months, he was opening the bowling for his country. We believe it can happen anywhere and I would not be surprised if one of the players we select will do the same," concluded Curran.

The next trials and more anticipated trials will be held at 10am at Harare sports Club on Wednesday the 31 of March before the final selection at the same venue on the 10 of April.