adminRicky Zililo, Sports Reporter
ONE of the country’s brightest cricket prospects Njabulo “Papa” Ncube has been lost to the local sport after turning down a Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise offer for a coaching job in South Africa. Ncube (24) one of Matabeleland Tuskers’ best players in the past two seasons having played a pivotal role in making sure that the team successfully defended the most coveted domestic trophy, the Logan Cup is said to have told his coach Wayne James he would be pursuing a different career in South Africa.
According to a source, Ncube turned down a six-month cricket contract with Matabeleland Tuskers to take up a 12-month coaching job at an unnamed primary school in Johannesburg.
“Papa (Ncube) has left for South Africa and it’s a pity that he will not be part of us this season. That boy had a bright future but after seeing that cricket is no longer financially rewarding in Zimbabwe, he decided to look for other options and with his good CV he managed to get a job as a coach in South Africa. He told management and I think they gave him their blessings,” said the source.
Ncube, described as a short, nippy fast bowler, first played cricket on the streets of Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda township and later represented Milton High School before finding his way into the Westerns Under-19s and B teams.
The right-arm seamer who considers Makhaya Ntini as his role model, represented Zimbabwe Under-19 at the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia.
He has also played for Mountaineers and it was in October 2011 when he got his first opportunity to play for Zimbabwe’s national team after being selected for the third One Day International against New Zealand. A three-wicket haul in that game earned Ncube a Test cap in Bulawayo against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, thirteen Matabeleland Tuskers players were last Friday given contracts to study over the weekend and were supposed to return them yesterday.
On Friday Matabeleland Tuskers management learnt that Ncube had decided to put on hold his playing career for coaching which remunerates better.
All cricketers in Zimbabwe who earn a living through playing in the Franchise League have not been getting any income from the sport since the expiry of their contracts at the end of March when the season ended.
Zimbabwe Cricket which provides the five franchises Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, Southern Rocks, Manicaland Mountaineers and Southern Rocks with season grants, has been facing financial challenges which has delayed the start of the 2013/14 season.
In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland Tuskers coach Wayne James confirmed Ncube’s departure.
“The players have returned their contracts and there is only one big signing that I am waiting to confirm. From last season’s squad the only player that will not be here is Njabulo Ncube who got a school coaching job in South Africa. I am very disappointed to lose a player like him but he was frank and told us that he needs to fend for his family and after considering the six months contract we had offered him, he chose the 12-month job in South Africa,” said James.
Among top players that have signed for Matabeleland Tuskers are pace bowler Tawanda Mupariwa, spinners Keith Dabengwa and John Nyumbu, former captain Gavin Erwing, Thabo Mboyi, promising opening batsman Brian Chari, former Manicaland Mountaineers’ Steven Chimamhiwa, new skipper Sean Williams, Goodwill Mamhiyo and Bradley Staddon.
Lanky pace bowler Christopher Mpofu who is waiting for a visa to play club cricket in Australia has also put pen to paper on a Matabeleland Tuskers contract.
The 2013/14 season is expected to start on 16 November with Matabeleland Tuskers beginning their title defence away to Mashonaland Eagles in Harare.
Online Reporter