adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
MidWest Rhinos right arm spinner Simon Mugava has not yet returned from his stint with English club Westcliff-on-Sea Cricket Club, which ended in September last year, with the cricketer considering a number of multiple offers that have come from clubs. Bexley Cricket Club in Kent, Barnes Green Cricket Club in Birmingham and North London Cricket Club are the three teams that have expressed interest in Mugava and want the cricketer to commit to them for the next season that starts in May.
Legendary Zimbabwean cricketers, Andy and Grant Flower, played for some of these clubs in the past.
Mugava was expected to rejoin the Midwest Rhinos for the domestic season but did not return home and opted to stay in England to consider a number of offers.
“I have decided to stay in UK because of the current situation with domestic cricket in Zimbabwe and the best option was to search for other alternative career options here,” said Mugava.
“I thought about coming back to Kwekwe and I was in touch with Midwest Rhinos towards the end of last year.
“My relationship with Midwest Rhinos and ZC is good as far I am concerned, I still am determined to come back and compete for a place for 2015 World Cup in Australia.”
Mugava took a huge risk to extend his stay in England as his application for an extension of his visa was rejected and he has appealed for the decision by the UK Home Office and his status will be determined at a hearing. The bowler is unmoved by the boardroom challenges that he faces.
“It is normal to go through this and it is nothing out of the ordinary to be denied a visa, even players like Mich Starc from Australia at some point had their applications denied in the past,” said Mugava.
He says his focus is to play county cricket in England.
“The Premier League in the UK is more competitive than what most people realise, it is one place where one will get noticed by county scouts if you do well,” said Mugava.
“Eventually every player who wants to make an impact in Test cricket, just like what I want, has to play in such leagues.”
The worst case scenario for Mugava is for him to join lower leagues clubs Datchet CC and Merrow CC, who have both expressed interest in his services, as he will be a world away from county cricket.
Online Reporter