Dean G: Zimbabwe on verge of black breakthough (01 Nov 94)

Zimbabwe on verge of black breakthough - Geoffrey Dean

Much earlier than was expected - almost two years after their inaugural Test match - Zimbabwe are close to selecting a black cricketer for a Test. In Henry Olonga, Zimbabwe know they have a young fast bowler of enormous potential. Olonga, 18, does not leave school until next month. Already he is genuinely quick, with an easy, natural action that will need minimal technical tinkering. The touring South African A team, against whom he played for Matabeleland this month, were highly impressed by him. On a sluggish pitch, he claimed just one victim, Rudi Steyn, lbw, but was rated the fastest bowler on either side. The problem for Zimbabwe, however, is that Olonga is multitalented: not only is he one of the brightest pupils at Plumtree, a leading private school, but he is also a potential Olympic sprinter and the owner of a magnificent tenor voice. Result? He is being courted by American universities, with mentions of athletics scholarships, and has an offer from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to start there next September. Two years ago Olonga was running the 100 metres in 10.6 sec. Such a time is comparable with those recorded at the same age by former Olympic champion Carl Lewis. Since 1992 Olonga has taken part in no serious competitive running events, though he still moves like lightning in the field and would undoubtedly regain his edge once back in training. "I can't say that at the moment athletics interests me," he admits before adding cynically: "It seems that to get to the top you need to take drugs." His father, a Kenyan paediatrician who lives in Bulawayo, where the family settled 10 years ago, wants him to run for Kenya. Olonga's Kenyan passport is another stumbling block as far as representing Zimbabwe is concerned. His father does not want him to give it up, yet the Zimbabwean government will not allow foreign passport holders to play sport for Zimbabwe. Nor can residents hold two passports. Olonga is entitled to a Zimbabwean passport, because his mother was born here. But to apply, Olonga must ignore paternal pressure and renounce his Kenyan citizenship. His elder brother, Victor, has already done so in order to play international rugby for Zimbabwe. Olonga's Kenyan passport made him ineligible for the second Test against Sri Lanka, for which he was on the short-list. He could have been granted special dispensation to play (just as Bruce Grobbelaar was for the national football side) if he had stated his intention to apply for a Zimbabwean passport, but the selectors had no wish to pressure him at such a young age. Olonga says he is keen to play for Zimbabwe, though the burning desire may not be there, for cricket is not part of black Zimbabwean culture. More and more are, nevertheless, coming through at schools level. There is little or no money to be made in cricket here; not that that will unduly concern Olonga, well educated and from a well-off family. A Test debut is still a distinct possibility when the Pakistanis come for a three-match series in February. Coach John Hampshire believes Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram will bowl Zimbabwe out on any surface and wants to do away with the slow, flat pitches of the Sri Lankan series, and have quicker, seaming wickets against Pakistan to give his bowlers a chance . This would certainly help Olonga's prospects of selection. He lacked control last year when his run-up was 30-35 yards long. But this year he has shortened it and greatly improved his accuracy.

Thanks :: The Daily Telegraph