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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
EXPLOSIVE top order batsman Cephas ‘’Big Bully’’ Zhuwao believes he had done everything to convince the selectors after he got a late call up into the squad to represent Zimbabwe at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier to be hosted in the country in the coming weeks.
Zhuwao, who played his only one ODI in national team colours 10 years ago against Ireland, received the news with calmness and joy after he and another all-rounder Sean Williams were slotted into the side to boost coach Heath Streak’s side.
The all-rounder said he is now savouring the opportunity to represent the country with honour at the forthcoming tournament.
“To be honest I’m so happy. It’s one of those things that I have been praying for, to come back and represent my country. I think so (the call is long overdue) because if you look at my stats. I started performing two years back. It’s something that I was just waiting for. I knew it would come one day if I don’t lose focus on my game.
“Those games that I played for Lashings helped me a lot. Even the guys I played with in UK helped me a lot improve my technique. I think it’s now bearing fruit.
‘’Every time I am out there on the crease it all feels natural. I am enjoying my game,” said Zhuwao.
Zhuwao and Williams were not named in the initial 15-member squad, but have been included in place of Ryan Burl and Tarisai Musakanda following the tour of Sharjah where Zimbabwe lost the five-match series against Afghanistan by 4-1.
The teams can make changes to their squads without needing an ICC approval until tomorrow. All player replacement requests from 25 February onwards will require the approval of the Event Technical Committee.
Williams, the 31-year-old left-arm spinner and middle-order batsman, last played in an ODI in July 2017 against Sri Lanka in Hambantota.
In 111 ODIs since February 2005, Williams has scored 2,947 runs and taken 52 wickets. But a thumb injury had kept him on the sidelines recently. Zhuwao played in his only ODI a decade ago, when he featured against Ireland in Nairobi in October 2008, scoring 16 off 20 balls with three fours.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Graeme Cremer (captain), Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams and Cephas Zhuwao.
Online Reporter