Ashly Dhani
Most batsmen love their bats, they treat them like their second darlings, while bowlers are crazy over their bowling boots, but there appears to be one special thing most loved by all players.
The cricket cap – the Test Cap in particular.
In Australia they call theirs the Baggy Green and earning that apparel is a dream-come-true for most, if not all, Aussie cricketers.
How is it like for Zimbabwe cricketers, where only 113 players have donned the green cap?
Sunday Mail Online spoke to some Zimbabwe cricket players who have had the priviledge of earning a Test cap.
Hamilton Masakadza, who retired with 38 Tests after making a famous entry into international cricket with a 100 on debut in 2001, said his Test cap is most treasured: “My cap and blazer have their special cover where they stay and no-one is allowed near them.
“Obviously, Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game so it’s a huge honour and priviledge to play Test cricket for one’s country. It’s probably every player’s dream.
“Fun enough, I cannot remember who presented me with mine, the situation was so overwhelming for me, playing with people I idolised and also against a team I enjoyed watching,” said Masakadza, who made his debut against West Indies and was cap number 53.
Cap number 77, will have a special place in Craig Ervine’s home when he retires. But where does he keep it now?
“My test cap stays in my cricket bag,” he said. “It has its own pocket where it is the sole owner and never leaves there even during ODI and T20 cricket.
“Once I retire it can be relocated to a cabinet of memorabilia,” said the left-handed batsman who was presented his cap by the late ZC chairman, Peter Chingoka.
“Unfortunately I can’t remember exactly what he said to me. It was a huge day for me and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t listening with the nerves and excitement going through my head as well as Zimbabwe making a return to Test cricket.”
During Zimbabwe’s last home Test series, Ervine did the honours of presenting a Test cap.
“I presented Tino Mutombodzi with his when he made his debut against Sri Lanka in the second Test at Harare Sports Club.
“(He is a) very talented youngster and hopes that he excels further in the future for Zimbabwe,” said Ervine, who has 18 Tests for Zimbabwe.
Regis Chakabva uses no other hat when playing Test cricket. “My cap number is 80,” he said.
“It’s a special cap for sure, playing Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and I make sure whenever I play I don’t use a floppy or anything else other than my test cap.
“I don’t have a special place where it stays, it’s among the Test kit so I bring it out together with my whites when it’s time for Test cricket.
“But I do look forward to framing it when I’m done playing and it’ll remind me of the priviledge it was to represent my country,” said Chakabva, who has 17 Tests to his name.
Sikandar Raza values his cap so much that it “stays alone”.
“I always wanted a baggy green to be fair and I value it the most.
“My baggy green stays alone in one of my drawers where my other national and casual caps are in the other drawer of the wardrobe. Baggy green sits on top of everything for me.
“Mr (Givemore) Makoni presented it to me. He said, ‘congratulations, do well and hope you have a successful career’,” said Raza.
One of the newest members in the Zimbabwe Test players, Victor Nyauchi, reckons earning a Test cap was “life-saving”.
“This meant my life, cricket saved my life if am to say it that way.
“Wearing a Test cap is a dream come true, all my life people know me as a cricket player so I had to go get that . . . I knew one day I was going to wear a Test cap,” Nyauchi said.
Fast bowler Carl Mumba is “proud” to be Zimbabwe’s 100th Test player.
“Playing for my country and getting a Test cap is something I have always wanted. It was one of my goals to play Test cricket and knowing that no-one can ever take that away from me now, I feel proud when I hear Test cap number 100,” said Mumba.
Zimbabwe’s latest Test cap number 113 is Charlton Tshuma who debuted in Bangladesh in March.
“It was a very precious moment,” said Tshuma who was presented his cap by Chris Mpofu.
“I was very happy that the hard work paid off. God answered my prayers, it is what I have been dreaming of since I was a small child. That moment is the best I ever had,” he said.
Kevin Arnott, was Zimbabwe’s first Test cap, after he faced the country’s first ball in Test cricket against India at Harare Sports Club in 1992.
Grant Flower is the most capped Zimbabwe Test player with 67 matches, Heath Streak follows his with 65, while Andy Flower is third on the list with 63.
Cricket and India legend Sachin Tendulkar is the most capped Test player with 200 matches followed by another legend Australian Ricky Ponting with 168 Tests
Online Reporter