Shingi Masakadza, an honest fast-medium seamer who opens the bowling for the Mountaineers franchise, has a lot to live up to - his older brother Hamilton plays a vital role for Zimbabwe at the top of the order, was the first black African to hit a Test century and was also, for a short time, the youngest player ever to do so on debut. Born in Harare's Highfield township, Shingi first learned the game at Mbizi Primary School and eventually found a position with Takashinga cricket club. He made his first-class debut in 2007-08, making an immediate impression by taking 21 wickets in four Logan Cup games at an amazing average of 11.95. He continued to put in steady performances in first-class cricket, picking up 24 wickets in 2008-9 and 40 in 2009-10, resulting in a call-up to the national side for the tour to West Indies in February 2010. He came back well after his first over in international cricket had been dispatched for 14 runs, grabbing three quick wickets at the death to seal a tense two-run victory in the first ODI in Guyana. Masakadza is also a handy lower-order batsman, with a first-class century to his name. He had a promising career as a budding professional footballer before opting for cricket.
Liam Brickhill