Andrew
Sports Reporter
HE is known for his unique celebration, where he contorts his arm into a cobra snake sign each time he takes a wicket.
But Zimbabwe’s left-handed fast bowler Richard Ngarava could probably not have become a professional cricketer, as he initially wanted to be a pastor.
The 24-year-old seamer is still a deeply religious man.
He told The Sunday Mail Sport that he could also have pursued a career in law.
However, for now, Ngarava is part of the Chevrons side that is making the country proud with their fine run at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
“If I had not been a cricketer, I would have become a lawyer or a pastor because I love preaching,” Ngarava said.
He is making his debut at a senior men’s cricket World Cup. Ngarava’s dream, however, almost went up in smoke on Monday, when he twisted his ankle in the Chevrons’ first game of the Super 12 against South Africa.
He slipped and fell awkwardly in the rainy conditions that forced the abandonment of the match and saw the game being declared a draw.
As spiritual as he is, Ngarava kept the faith and recovered just in time to be part of the team that secured a historic one-run victory over Pakistan on Thursday.
“It was scary.
“The physiotherapist and team doctor did a lot of magic with my ankle and I am thankful to God.
“To be honest, it is a miracle that I am still playing,” he said.
Ngarava has previously represented Zimbabwe at the Under-19 World Cup.
But he feels the T20 World Cup is the most exciting moment of his career.
“It is really an exciting time for me, making my debut coming here Down Under and to get to spend time in the changing room with the likes of Raza, Blessing, Regis, Ervine and a lot of my teammates.
“I am actually enjoying every moment.”
Since making his debut for the Chevrons three years ago, Ngarava has been one of the most economical bowlers in the T20I format with a rate of 7.9.
He has played 28 T20 matches and claimed 26 wickets.
For every wicket that he has claimed, the 24-year-old has celebrated with a cobra-like strike celebration, which he says is inspired by the deadly reptile.
“A snake is wise and it takes time to attack, but when it strikes, it does so with precision. Just like in the Bible, which says ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’
“This is the motivation I get from the word of God, so I try to apply the Bible in my day-to-day life.
“I believe, with my hard work, my bowling attack, which is quick and precise, is all about the cobra celebration,” said Ngarava.
The cricketer is also over the moon for being part of the first Chevrons group to qualify for the second round of the T20 World Cup.
He believes Zimbabwe’s success so far is because of hard work.
“The harder the people work and the more people work smarter, the probability of producing good results is high, and that is what exactly the boys have been doing.
“It is quite a happy feeling considering that this is my first World Cup with the team,” he said.
Ngarava, who grew up in the high-density suburb of Highfield, reckons his rise in cricket has been faster than he thought.
“I am a Takashinga boy. Takashinga has groomed a lot of players, the likes of Prosper Utseya, Tatenda Taibu, Vusi Sibanda and Regis Chakabva.
“And now we have a couple of young stars like myself, Blessing and Innocent Kaia,” he said.
“I grew up in an environment where there was a lot of cricket. I have really enjoyed playing cricket since I was a kid. However, it is through some of the legends we used to watch growing up, being a Takashinga boy, that inspired me to take up cricket.”
From playing for the Under-19 in 2016, he was called up for the men’s senior national team in 2017 and made his debut in the ODIs.
“It has been an exciting journey and there is more to come from me, and it has always been God since day one.”
Online Reporter