BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
THINGS that happen to children at a tender age can ultimately impact their lives forever.
Such is the story of Zimbabwe national cricket team prodigy Tadiwanashe Marumani, whose future was changed by the love of a mere cricket jersey.
The teenage star, who turned 19 in January, made his national team debut in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan last month albeit inauspiciously as he was dismissed for a golden duck in the first match.
In the next two matches Marumani was able to showcase his ability to see the ball and hit it out of the park.
This was a culmination of his love for the Zimbabwe cricket jersey when he was in Grade 4 at Zengeza 4 Primary School.
“Initially, I fell in love with the Zim cricket jersey when I was in Grade 4, that is when I was motivated to play cricket. After that, I just grew fond of the game,” Marumani told The Sports Hub.
Marumani proved that he was a special kind of player last year when he finished as the tournament’s fourth highest scorer at the Under-19 World Cup with 257 runs in six innings.
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The big-hitting starlet proved he was ready for the big league after he hit four half centuries in the Domestic T20 Competition for the revived franchise Rocks earning himself a national team call- up.
It had been a while since a teenager was given a national team debut and while everyone was in awe, Marumani kind of expected it.
“Playing for the national team at 19 was something I was expecting and working towards. But I really thank God for it because He is the only one I tell my plans and ask, so I can’t really say it’s just me.
“However, it was a great achievement on my side, which is what I was aiming for, so I’m pretty satisfied. With my performance, I can’t really say I was happy, but I was quite chuffed with how I kept on improving throughout the series from my first game to the last. Overall, it was a really great experience because we learn and we move forward,” the Falcon College student said.
Marumani hails from the dormitory town of Chitungwiza and started his education at Zengeza 4 Primary School before he earned a scholarship to Prince Edward School for secondary education.
The cricket prodigy is currently at Falcon College for his A Level studies.
“My ultimate dream is being a great cricket player. This is something that is on top of all my goals and something I want to achieve. I want to have a positive impact in the game,” he said.
“Playing cricket at a higher level is something that I always wanted to do as I got deeper into my career and getting my cap for the national team is a dream come true.”
A typical shorter version of the game player, Marumani, who is also an off-break bowler, has two model cricketers.
“When it comes to clean hitting of the ball my role model has always been Chris Gayle since day one. I just love the way he plays his game and MS Dhoni, I like his composure and calmness on and off the field,” he said.
