BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
BORN in the wild, to a family whose passion is hunting and wildlife in Humani, around the Save Conservancy since the 1920s, it was going to be difficult to convert former Zimbabwean cricket all-rounder Guy Whittall into a city lad.
Growing up in Humani, Whittall’s life revolved around hunting, fishing and adventure in his family’s vast backyard.
But cricket tried to give him the other life, but could not keep him for long and thus he came to the city, he saw, he conquered and he left.
That is the story of one of the finest all-rounders produced in this country Whittall, who is most remembered for his unbeaten double century, 203 not out in a Test against New Zealand in Bulawayo back in 1997. He remains one of just four Zimbabweans to score a Test double-ton.
In 2002, he came just 12 runs short of another double hundred in Harare against the same opponents.
After making his Test debut in Pakistan in December 1993, Whittall went on to represent the country in 46 Tests, amassing 2 207 runs and 51 wickets.
Whittall also played 147 ODIs scoring 2 705 and bagging a total of 88 wickets before he retired from the game at 31.
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It is no surprise that the former top order batsman’s retirement coincided with the attainment of his professional hunter’s licence and he disappeared to his natural habitat, the wild.
The Sports Hub traced Whittall back to Humani, located at the junction of the Turgwe and Save rivers in Zimbabwe’s south-east Lowveld and is the very epi-centre of the renowned Save Conservancy where he is helping his father to run and expand the family safari business.
“Basically I retired after the World Cup in 2003 so that I could help in the family safari business. And having grown up on the ranch surrounded by wildlife and going on those hunting escapades, it was a call I had to make, to return to the family business at some point,” Whittall said in an exclusive interview.
“Initially I was going to retire in 2001 following the land revolution in the country, but somehow I was convinced to stay for another couple of years and play at another World Cup,” he said.
When he retired from cricket Whittall was just about to reach the prime of his career and it was a major blow for the game at that time.
Even he admits that he left cricket too soon, but he was always fated to quit prematurely because of what ran in his blood.
“I think you start to hit your peak in cricket when you get to your 30s because it is a time when you better understand yourself and your abilities. I think I had a lot more to offer when I decided to stop, but I have no regrets whatsoever,” he said.
“I didn’t see myself getting into commentary, coaching or administration so there was really no decision to make. Coaching was going to be a hard thing to do for me and thankfully no one has seriously tried to convince me to come back to cricket,” Whittall said with a chuckle.
“I grew up on a ranch, running around in the woods and hunting, so my childhood dream has always been the outdoor life surrounded by guns, pets, animals, nature, cattle and sheep. I grew to understand elephants, leopards and all the wild animals better,” he said.
Historically the area Whittall grew up in is famed for its monster leopards and spiral-horned antelope, and in recent years Humani has also earned a reputation for producing large-maned lions, heavy ivory and big-bossed buffalo bulls.
Apart from running the family business, Whittall is also the managing director at Tredelk Safaris, which is one of the leading hunting and photographic safari companies in Africa.
Alongside his father Roger Whittall, Guy manages Roger Whittall Safaris and Humani maintaining the high standard, always striving to further the cause of wildlife and provide the true African experience for many clients around the world.
Whittall has managed to expand the family business into Mozambique and also carries out hunting expeditions around the Nungu-Messalo area.
His upbringing possibly created a fierce competitor and athlete in him, evidenced by the way he played his cricket.
“I am lucky to have gone to Ruzawi and Falcon College for my primary and secondary education where there was a strong sports tradition. I think that’s how it started for me.
“I remember scoring 108 in a house 20-over match when I was just eight years old at Ruzawi. And I scored a lot of hundreds in the age group teams. I loved to be competitive.
“I grew up watching the likes of Peter Rawson, Andy Pycroft, Eddo Brandes and Andy Waller trying to qualify for World Cups back then so I was never short of inspiration. And as the Whittall family we have always had the fighting spirit,” he said.
Whittall made special mention of one of the coaches who pushed him to be a decent bowler, the late British coach John Hampshire.
“I think I was more of a batsman, but John pushed me hard in the nets and that’s how I improved. I had a nice away swing and I was trying to get people out whenever I bowled. The game was about how you practised back then and Hampshire helped me a lot. I will never forget him,” Whittall said.
The now professional hunter, who turned 48 last month, reflected on two of his best moments with the bat against New Zealand.
“I got a double century at Queen Sports Club which was my favourite home ground as a former Falcon student. I managed to play through the first day and I just had to continue batting. The match in Harare was also memorable and also frustrating in that I couldn’t get to 200. But just playing for Zimbabwe was a proud moment for me,” he said.
Whittall’s grandfather Jimmy, who hunted with legendary British hunter and explorer Frederick Selous, began the family trade in Humani almost a century ago before handing control to his sons Roger and Richard.
It’s now Guy’s time and he hopes that his son James will carry forward the family concern one day.
