daniel chigunwe
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MANY Zimbabwe cricket fans, both local and abroad, may not fully appreciate the arduous journey Wessly Madhevere endured before nearly single-handedly rescuing a Test match for Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club earlier this week.
The 24-year-old batter played a remarkable knock in Zimbabwe’s chase of a daunting target of 292 runs, set by Ireland.
His participation in this Test match is a story worth telling, as he was not part of Zimbabwe’s initial squad for the one-off Test.
Last Thursday morning, the first day of the Test, Zimbabwe were forced to make changes to their team, with Craig Ervine returning to Harare for family reasons and Sean Williams not fully recovered to play.
It was at that moment that Madhevere was called up to join the squad in Bulawayo.
At the time, he was at home in Harare, and by the time he received the call, it was too late to catch a flight. His only option was to travel by road.
Unable to take the bus, Madhevere drove to Bulawayo, covering nearly 500 kilometres.
Fortunately, he managed to meet the designated two-hour window required to play and brought his Logan Cup form into international cricket.
Madhevere was the selectors’ final hope to replace Ervine and made an immediate impact.
He became Zimbabwe’s last chance to break their 11-year win-less Test streak at home.
Worthy to note, he had not practiced with the rest of the team but played like he had. In the first innings, Madhevere scored 26 runs off 31 balls before following it up with a gallant career-best 84 runs off 195 deliveries in the second innings.
His heroic effort now sees him hold the record for the highest score by a Zimbabwean number six in a Test chase, surpassing the previous best of 53 set by Ervine against Afghanistan in January.
He also contributed with the ball in the second innings, taking two wickets for 48 runs in his 18-over spell.
“I am very pleased for Wessly. Considering he had to drive on the day of the Test, and when he stepped out in the first innings, the way he went about his business showed that he completely belonged,’’ Chevrons coach Justin Sammons said.
“We know he belongs, we know he is good enough, and to see that come to fruition is brilliant.
“With the ball, he adds a lot of value, bowling brilliantly with good control and cleverness.
“That was pleasing to see, and he can definitely contribute for us in all formats going forward. Hopefully, this will build his confidence. In the last innings, he was just brilliant.
“His management of the innings, his calmness, and his tempo at the crease were all outstanding.
“This is a huge positive for Wessly. It’s about belief, and hopefully, this gives him the confidence that this is his stage to own. I’m very pleased,” Sammons said.
Madhevere is also part of Zimbabwe’s ODI squad that is scheduled to face Ireland in a three-match series, starting at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.
Online Reporter