BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
When he burst on to the local scene as a big hitting teenager some nine years there was no doubt that Kevin Kasuza was a special talent. Making his first class debut for Mountaineers in October 2011 in a Logan Cup tie against Matabeleland Tuskers, Kasuza opened the bat and struck a daring 96 runs in the drawn tie.
Kasuza was touted as the next best thing for Zimbabwe cricket as he kept on putting the big performances.
But sadly for the young prodigy has been overlooked by the selectors since then.
Last week, Kasuza now 26, made his Test debut for Zimbabwe in the on-going series against Sri Lanka and just like he did those nine years ago, opening the bat he scored 63 runs in the first innings to open his international account.
It may have taken a long time but Kasuza thoroughly enjoyed his debut.
“Fantastic,” was how Kasuza describe his first day out on the crease for his country.
“I am very happy. It’s been a long time coming and I think it’s time now because I have been working very hard and I can describe my day as awesome,” he told reporters during a press conference.
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Having had to wait for such a long time Kasuza showed the confidence and assertiveness of a veteran out on the Harare Sports Club wicket.
“To be honest I was nice and relaxed because I know that behind the scenes I was working hard. I would also like to thank the coaches and the staff because they have been encouraging me a lot.
“And going out to bat on the first day Prince Masvaure told me that we have to bat time and not think about runs and I think the plan worked because we got a good start for the team,” he said.
But for the new Zimbabwe opener it was also about his family especially his late father Gideon who had high hopes in him but never got to see his son play for the country after he passed on in 2016.
Kasuza dedicated his half century milestone on debut to his father, mother Loveness, wife Faith and child Keara.
Unfortunately for Kasuza he suffered a soft concussion while fielding at short leg after he was hit by the ball on the side of his helmet on day four of the Test match.
In the end he had to be replaced by another debutant Brian Mudzinyanyama while he remains a doubt for the second Test which begins tomorrow at the same venue.
Kasuza is the first person his family to play cricket, and he made his first contact with the game at Chirowakamwe Primary School in Mutare.
He continued to play the sport at Mutare Boys High School but by then he had already made significant progress representing Manicaland at Under-13 level.
