Zimbabwe cricket growth charms Andy Flower

CRICKET in Zimbabwe has been on a positive trajectory over the past couple of years and has seen a rise in followership with fans filling stadia whenever the national team plays.

The steady growth of the sport in the country has charmed many from even outside the borders. The passion and love that has been seen over the past years is testimony that the game is gaining popularity.

One man who liked what he saw during the recently ended 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers which were held in Zimbabwe is one of the country’s finest cricketers ever and an International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Famer, Andy Flower.

Returning to Zimbabwe as part of the commentary team for the Qualifiers for the first time in over two decades, Flower was pleased with the growth of the sport in the country as a lot of work and effort has been put in to make sure that the game stays on top where it belongs.

In an interview with ICC, Flower said he was pleased with what he saw at the country’s two biggest cricket stadiums, Queens Sports Club and Harare Sports Club having watched matches in Bulawayo and Harare where fans and the atmosphere was out of this world.

He also noted a change in followership of the sport in the country as it has now become more popular to the black majority who have been showing appreciation for the sport unlike during their days as players.

“Before I arrived in Zimbabwe, I would have had a lukewarm response to a question about the future of Zimbabwean cricket. Now that I’m just about to leave, I feel much more positive. They (fans) threw love out towards everyone in the ground, even the little bit of barracking with the opposition was done in good spirit, and that I think I’ll remember for years.

“The energy in the crowd. The love for the game, the feeling of support and love for the players while they were playing and while the crowd was singing and dancing and loving their day, but also taking note of every single ball. It was really interesting for me to see the change in the demographic in the crowd. When we were playing, it was mostly a White crowd, and the change that I have seen after being away for so long is such a great change for Zimbabwe,” he said.

Over the past year, Zimbabwe has been playing positive cricket under the stewardship of Dave Houghton. Some of the Chevrons’ notable victories include a final ball one run win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup and also their first ODI victory over Australia Down Under, winning by three wickets after a Ryan Burl masterclass with the ball. The Chevrons also managed to reach the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup for the first time.

Most recently, Zimbabwe beat the West Indies in their group match of the World Cup Qualifiers at Harare Sports Club. The positivity, courage and the mentality that the team now has is something that also caught Flower’s attention. Zimbabwe has enjoyed a good run in international cricket.

“One thing that stands out for me is the confidence with which Zimbabwe are playing their cricket, and I think partly that comes from exposure to international matches, to international tournaments and series. I see a certainly strong spirit in them. They have some experienced players, they’ve got a few youngsters and it’ll be an interesting transition when they move on from some of their experienced players in the next few years. But I do see a fighting spirit. You see that in the way that they field,” said Flower

He remains the only Zimbabwean to have made it to the ICC Hall of Fame and is considered one of the finest wicket-keeper batters of all time across the globe.

In 63 Test matches, Flower scored 4 794 runs with a high score of 232 runs not out at a staggering average of 51,54 while in one day cricket, the 55-year-old scored 6 786 runs from 213 games with a high score of 145 runs and an average of 35,34.

He has 16 international tons. – @brandon_malvin