HIGH-FLYING top order batsman Tadiwanashe Marumani has been recalled into the Zimbabwe senior men’s T20I side that will host Ireland in Harare next week.
Zimbabwe host Ireland in three T20Is scheduled for January 12, 14 and 15. The two teams will lock horns in three One Dayers set for January 18, 21 and 23 at the same venue.
Marumani made his T20I debut in April 2021 against Pakistan in Harare. He has played 13 matches scoring 159 at an average of 12.2.
The Chitungwiza-based wicketkeeper batter divided opinion after he was dropped from the Chevrons’ T20 World Cup squad to Australia last year.
He, however, did not put that to heart as he continued with his fine form and made the proper noise with the bat.
While ordinarily, many would be affected by missing a huge gig such as the World Cup, Marumani was busy putting the bowlers to the sword.
During the inaugural T10 competition in September, he scored 39 from 18 for Great Zimbabwe Patriots against Takashinga 2.
He had a couple of half-centuries, 69 (30) against Lions, 96 (39) versus Harare Kings, and an unbeaten 78 from 33 balls in a match against Bulawayo Athletic Club.
Marumani was still in progress as he returned to torment bowlers in the Pro 50 Championship for the Eagles. He scored 100 (108) against Tuskers, 98 and 79 versus Southern Rocks and Rhinos, respectively.
A half-ton (71) in the Pro 50 Regional Games between Northerns and Southerns summed up his limited-overs form before heading to first class with the same mindset.
“The work of an athlete is to put in the hard yards, perform to the best of their ability and leave the rest to those who make decisions,” Marumani told EnterSportNews.
“Everything happens for a reason; when you make the cut in the side, celebrate those strides by making the best of that opportunity; if you don’t make it continue working hard. That’s my philosophy.
It will be interesting to see how much balance the former England batsman Gary Ballance brings into the team after switching his allegiance to the Chevrons. Having played for the junior age groups, Ballance is now in line for his debut for Zimbabwe.
Batsman Tony Munyonga, wicketkeeper Clive Madande, and all-rounder Wessly Madhevere are the other cricketers from Chitungwiza selected for the three-match T20I series against the Irish at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe T20I Squad for Ireland
1. Craig Ervine (Captain) 2. Gary Ballance 3. Ryan Burl 4. Tendai Chatara 5. Bradley Evans 6. Luke Jongwe 7. Innocent Kaia 8. Clive Madande 9. Wessly Madhevere 10. Tadiwanashe Marumani 11. Wellington Masakadza 12. Tony Munyonga 13. Richard Ngarava 14. Victor Nyauchi 15. Sean Williams.
