Patrick Gada - a short biography

PATRICK GADA -- BIOGRAPHY

FULL NAME: Patrick Kudzayi Gada

BORN: 5 May 1978, at Harare

MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (1998/99), Manicaland (1999/2000- )

KNOWN AS: Patrick/Paddy Gada. Nickname: 'Calfy' - "I have fairly big calf muscles!"; 'Patriotick' - "for my great love of my country."

BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat

BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Medium Pace/Off Spin

OCCUPATION: Professional cricketer

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: CFX Academy v Australian Cricket Academy, at Alexandra Sports Club, 27-29 March 1999

TEST DEBUT: Still awaited

ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (March 2000)

Patrick Gada, Academy student in 1999, is one of the most promising young black batsman in Zimbabwe. He is highly rated for his attitude and self discipline. He is a non-smoker and does not drink alcohol; from a young age he practiced hard and worked on his fitness. He is a pleasant and quietly-spoken young man who deserves to go far in the game.

Like most black players at the present, Patrick has no family background in cricket, although his family has always been very enthusiastic about soccer. His interest in cricket began at Chengu Primary School in Highfield, a high-density suburb of Harare, and he well remembers the times when Dave Houghton used to come and coach. Later on Lazarus Zizhou and Dave Levy took over, and both had much to do with developing Patrick's interests and skills. Patrick has always been first and foremost a batsman, but he has kept up his medium-paced bowling and useful off-spin as well. He opened the bowling and batting in many early games.

His first match, as far as he remembers, took place when he was about ten years of age. He recalls a match in Grade 6 against another school team containing David Mutendera. Once he scored 125 in a thirty-over game, when he was captaining his team, and won the Willards Trophy for his school. He took part in the national primary schools cricket week, captaining the Harare South team and being selected for the national B team.

He progressed to Prince Edward High School, having been offered a place there by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union because of his cricketing potential. He had also been offered a place at Chinhoyi High School, but preferred Prince Edward mainly because of the better sporting opportunities it provided. He was immediately appointed as captain of the Under-13 team and progressed up the school year by year. He remembers his best scores when he reached the first team as being 90 against St John's and 78 against Eaglesvale, batting at number four. He used to bowl regularly as well, opening the bowling at times and taking useful wickets, with seven in an innings being his best performance. In 1995 he went on tour to England with the school team. He names the late 'Bunny' Brereton as the high-school coach who helped him the most.

At school Patrick was also an athlete, notably in triple jump and long jump. He played rugby and soccer as well, but cricket remained his premier sport. He played his first club match in 1992, for Bionics Cricket Club, which was later renamed Hungwe and is now Winstonians.

In 1993 Patrick was selected for the Mashonaland Under-15 team, where he did well and was a reserve for the national side; he progressed to the Mashonaland Under-19 team along with such players as Brian Murphy, Gavin Rennie, Everton Matambanadzo and Gary Brent. Even at the age of 16 he made some good scores, but just missed selection for the national side, being encouraged by Mike Whiley's assurance that he had plenty of time. In fact, he didn't, through his own choosing, as he decided to leave school after gaining his O-Levels in Form Four. He does hope to improve his academic qualifications at some time in the future, though.

He followed his cricket interests, doing some coaching privately in the high-density areas and assisting the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the Mashonaland Cricket Association on a private, part-time basis. In 1995/96 he began to play for Old Hararians Sports Club, coaching and practising in Highfield and at Harare Sports Club during the off season. His best club performance has been 92 against Universals in 1998/99. In 1998 he was encouraged by the Old Hararians captain Trevor Penney to apply for the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, and he was accepted for the 1999 season.

His main memory of that year, along with many other students, was the visit of the Australian Cricket Academy team, which completely outclassed the local academy, mainly due to the express pace of Brett Lee who terrorised the locals and caused Patrick himself much concern. "It was a great turning point for all the Academy guys," he says.

From 1999 Patrick played and coached in England. It was a good experience, although he found the wickets too slow, sub-standard and uncovered. He did learn to adapt to the various wickets, both good and bad. He began in fine form, averaging over 50 to start with, and on 5 May, his 21st birthday, although finding the weather very cold, he scored 97 and had some words with the scoreboard operator for not keeping his individual score going, sure that he could have reached his century had he realised how close he was. His first century came at the Saffrons Ground in Eastbourne.

He found that in England he had to learn to take a bigger stride to the ball, play forward more often and wait for the ball to come to him on the slower pitches. He remembers several times trying to drive through extra cover, only to find the ball arriving later than expected, resulting in a catch in the covers. "It was a very good experience in England," he says.

After leaving the Academy, Patrick was posted to Manicaland to coach for the remaining two years of his contract. He has opened the batting for them in the Logan Cup and played some useful innings, gradually finding the confidence to play his strokes more readily at that level.

As a batsman his main attribute, he feels, is his concentration and the ability to bat for long periods of time, when as yet he is not fully fluent with his strokes at the top level. He is a strong back-foot player, scoring the majority of his runs on the on side and square of the wicket, while he also cuts well. He is happy to open the innings, but given the choice feels he would prefer number four or five. He usually fields in the middle distance or in the gully, but not in the slips. He has a safe pair of hands and enjoys fielding, and is fairly quick to the ball.

Toughest opponents: "So far I think Brett Lee, when he played for the Commonwealth Bank Academy. He was very quick and the fastest guy I've ever faced."

Future ambitions: "I hope to stay in the game and keep working on my game all the time. It will take time, but I hope to keep improving. And obviously if I keep improving I would like to play cricket at the highest possible level, and do well."

Proudest moments: "I remember when I was captain of Harare South and my junior school in Highfield, the England A side came over, including Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother, Derek Pringle and 'Sid' Lawrence, in 1989/90, and I got an autographed bat from them. Then I was rated High Glen Best Junior Batsman, in 1990 again, and I was awarded a bat by Mr Dave Ellman-Brown. Also when I was awarded my cricket colours at Prince Edward High School in 1994 for the most outstanding performance and service. And meeting Viv Richards at the Malcolm Marshall memorial match in London in 2000."

Best friends in cricket: "My best cricketing friends are Amos Maungwa - he's always out there, he tries very hard and plays for Winstonians, and we did a lot of practice together. All those who love the game and think positively. My late mother, and all my remaining family for all their love, trust and encouragement. Devon Malcolm, the Hopkins family, Mr John Smith, all in Sussex, England. The late Trevor Madondo, to whom I am forever grateful for the time we spent and the batting tips he gave me."

Other interests: "I like reading, especially cricket magazines and current information. I like fitness training; every time I'm free I go out and work on my fitness. I also like listening to music and watching cricket on television or video tape."

Personal views: "I hope I keep improving, especially now that I'm in Manicaland province. During the off season I would like to go overseas and play cricket there. I would also like to help juniors coming up and offer a hand from the knowledge I've gained from the game so far. I can't wait to see Zimbabwe get on top of world cricket and dominate more than West Indies did and more than Australia will ever do.

"I've enjoyed my 2001 season with Preston Nomads, and I look forward to touring Florida and New York City. My young players for the future are Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikanyeri, Hamilton Masakadza and Joe Gatting who plays for Preston Nomads and Sussex CCC juniors. My cricket heroes are Viv Richards, Ritchie Richardson and Graham Gooch. My motto in life is to respect and learn from others, and above all give thanks to the Almighty."