Is it now Hamilton Masakadza’s chance to finally grace the International Cricket Council World Cup?
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
That question would be answered by new coach Dav Whatmore this week when he announces his final 15-man squad for the 50-over tournament to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from Valentine’s Day to March 29.
Regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s best current batsmen, the 31-year-old right-hander has never featured in a World Cup since bursting on the scene as a 17-year-old schoolboy in 2001. He has however participated in the T20 version of the game.
Even his younger brother Shingirai, a late comer into the national team went to the World Cup four years ago jointly staged by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
After making his ODI debut in September 2001 against South Africa, two months after he made his Test debut in which he impressively notched a composed 119 — then record for a 17-year-old, — Masakadza’s inclusion for the 2003 edition was disturbed by school commitments.
After failing to continue with fine form against club opposition during studies in South Africa, national selectors decided against him for the tournament Zimbabwe co-hosted and reached the Super Six.
Four years later, the late coach Kevin Curran could not take him to West Indies after declining a contract to concentrate on school although he remained up for consideration.
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His form dipped prior to the 2011 edition and Alan Butcher dropped him.
Last August, batting at number three in the home triangular series against South Africa and Australia, he had an outing of mixed fortunes.
He was Zimbabwe’s highest scorer with 70 in the first match against Australia in what could have been a strong asking for a trip to Australia/New Zealand.
But his runs declined in the next three matches where he continued at number three but could not surpass 30 including in the famous three-wicket win over Australia where he batted his lowest 18 of the series.
Then opening in all ODIs during the country’s series whitewash in the tour of Bangladesh late last year, he was Zimbabwe’s second top-scorer in the first match after managing 42.
Masakadza recorded a duck in the second ODI before scrapping to 12 in the third one in which he notched a Six and a Four, having faced 15 deliveries.
He posted 28 off 40 balls in the fourth ODI while he wrapped up the series by top-scoring for the tourists with 52. “Personally I wish to go to the World Cup,” he said.
“It is always a good opportunity and priviledge to represent my country and the World Cup is no different. A lot of things happened before and I could not play on that stage.”
His ODI career boasts of three centuries managed against Bangladesh (102) and twice against Kenya (156 and career best 178) all posted in 2009.
After a fair ODI outing last year by Zimbabwean standards, Whatmore is likely to consider him for the World Cup. Zimbabwe are in Pool B that has South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Ireland.
They open their campaign on February 15 against South Africa in Hamilton, New Zealand.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams and Cephas Zhuwao.
