Wicketkeeper Clive Madande hopes his team can put up a strong performance against India in the upcoming five-match T20 series starting Saturday. He believes that greater participation in franchise cricket could attract more young talent to the sport in Zimbabwe.
The Day Cricket Became a Passion
Clive Madande’s love for cricket began as a 12-year-old when his father took him to watch a Test match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in 2014. Zimbabwe’s victory by 24 runs left a lasting impression on him. “It was one of the greatest days in Zimbabwean cricket. We beat Pakistan, and I thought, well, I should play this game,” Madande recalls. Now, a decade later, he is a key figure in reviving Zimbabwe’s cricketing legacy.
The Struggles of Zimbabwean Cricket
Despite that memorable victory, Zimbabwe’s cricket has faced numerous challenges over the past decade. Administrative issues, lack of infrastructure, government interference, salary cuts, and a talent shortage have hindered progress. While there have been occasional upsets, such as beating Australia in an ODI in Townsville and Pakistan in the 2022 World Cup, the golden era of players like the Flower brothers, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, and Heath Streak is a distant memory.
Seeking Guidance from Legends
Madande often seeks advice and motivation from Zimbabwean cricket legends like Dave Houghton and Tatenda Taibu. “Guys like Houghton and Taibu, I speak to them regularly for advice, motivation, and tips. Whenever I feel like struggling, I go back to them,” he says.
Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
Zimbabwe has a busy schedule ahead, starting with the India T20I series. They will host all top nations except Australia and tour countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and England. Madande sees these matches as a big motivation to play harder and smarter. “Like we showed in the series against Bangladesh, we have talent. We played good cricket there, just that we couldn’t get the results we wanted,” he explains.
Experience and Talent in the Squad
Led by the seasoned Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s team includes experienced players like all-rounders Luke Jongwe and Wessly Madhevere, fast bowlers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani. Playing in front of home crowds is a huge advantage. “We would be playing in our backyard; there will be a lot of people cheering for us. It’s still the most popular sport in the country, and a lot of youngsters and schoolboys play this game,” Madande says.
Learning from the Best
Madande acknowledges the strength of the Indian team, even though it is an in-transition squad. He admires players like Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Jitesh Sharma. The 24-year-old knows that strong performances could attract the attention of IPL scouts. “If more of us get to play cricket in franchises, the game would draw more young talent to it, which would be good for the game overall in the country,” he says.
Building a Bright Future
Zimbabwe Cricket is planning to establish a national cricket academy, refurbish the domestic league, and install indoor training facilities at all five domestic centers. Madande is optimistic that these efforts will help Zimbabwe rediscover its giant-slaying mojo and inspire more youngsters to fall in love with the game, just as he did a decade ago.
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