Introduction
As we gear up for the ICC Cricket World Cup, we take a look at the top 5 bowlers of Zimbabwe of all time. These are the players who have made the biggest impact on Zimbabwean cricket and have left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. Checkout breaking news sports cricket about these players to know more.
Number 1: Blessing Mahwire
At number 1 on our countdown is Blessing Mahwire. Blessing first started playing cricket at the age of 10 and made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2004. He has since played in 32 ODIs and 21 T20Is but is yet to make his mark in the test arena.
He is the only Zimbabwean bowler to have taken three hat tricks in his international career. He achieved his first in an ODI against Bangladesh in 2006 and the other two in ODIs against Kenya and the Netherlands subsequently. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in Zimbabwean domestic cricket, having taken 544 wickets in 180 matches.
The 35-year-old has also tasted success in other international cricket competitions, winning the Airtel Rising Stars Tournament in 2003 and the Afro-Asian Cup in 2007. He was also part of the Zimbabwean side that won the inaugural edition of the ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2008.
Blessing also holds the records for most wickets taken in a single T20I match with 4/21 against Canada and most wickets taken in a single ODI with 5/26 against the Netherlands. He has also taken five-wicket hauls in both ODI’s and T20I, with the most recent coming in 2017 against Sri Lanka in the ODI format.
Blessing may not be the player he once was but his performances over the years and his ability to take wickets consistently make him deservedly a part of this list. He will most certainly be remembered as one of the greats of Zimbabwean cricket for many years to come.
Blessing is a right-arm fast bowler who relies on pace and swing to take wickets. He has good control over his bowling and can also bowl stump-to-stump.
Number 2: Prosper Utseya
At number 2 on our list is Prosper Utseya. A member of the cricket team since 2003, Utseya is one of the most experienced bowlers on the list. He is also one of the most successful, with an impressive tally of 76 wickets to his name in just 49 tests.
Utseya has also been effective in shorter formats of the game, having taken 113 wickets in 131 One-Day Internationals and 42 wickets in 20 Twenty20 Internationals. His greatest successes have come against such teams as India, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and he is one of only a handful of bowlers to have won 3 Man of the Match awards in the One Day Internationals.
However, it is not just his bowling that has made Utseya one of the top 5 bowlers of Zimbabwe of all time. His batting has been an important part of Zimbabwe’s limited overs success, having scored 814 runs at an average of 26.93. He was acclaimed for his innings of 103 against Bangladesh in 2009, helping Zimbabwe secure a draw in the second Test.
Off the field, Utseya has become an inspiration and a role model for upcoming cricketers. He has always been recognized for his positive attitude, even when the team has been struggling, and his determination and hard work have led to his success on the field. Utseya has also undertaken several commitments to help give back to the game, such as working in their cricket academy, as well as taking part in several fundraising events. He has been vocal in his support of Zimbabwean cricket, and his enthusiasm continues to help move the game forward.
Utseya made his mark on the international cricket scene in 2010, when he took 9 wickets in a test match against Bangladesh. He has since gone on to become one of Zimbabwe’s most reliable bowlers, and will undoubtedly be a key player in the team’s future success.
Number 3: Heath Streak
Heath Streak is ranked third on the list of top bowlers of Zimbabwe of all time. He had a long and successful career playing for Zimbabwe and also coaching the team.
The streak was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1974. He made his debut for Zimbabwe in 1992 and played until 2006. He was known for his fast bowling and took over 200 wickets in his career. He was also a handy batsman, scoring over 2,000 runs for Zimbabwe.
After retiring from playing cricket, Streak took up coaching. He was head coach of the Zimbabwean cricket team from 2007 to 2009, and again from 2010 to 2011. Under his coaching, Zimbabwe achieved some impressive results, including winning the series against Bangladesh in 2010.
Number 4: Graeme Cremer
Coming in at number four on our list of the top five bowlers of Zimbabwe of all time is Graeme Cremer. During his career, Cremer played for both the Zimbabwean National Team and the Mid-West Rhinos. He made his debut in 2004 and ended up becoming the longest-serving captain in Zimbabwe’s history.
Cremer was known for his accurate leg spin bowling, which made him a dangerous opponent. His control and craftsmanship earned him 257 wickets in 45 tests, making him one of only two Zimbabwe bowlers to pass 200 test wickets. In addition, he also has 84 wickets from 99 ODIs, proving he was a consistent performer across all formats.
Number 5: Eddo Brandes
Coming in at number five on our list is Eddo Brandes.
Brandes is the most successful Zimbabwean bowler to date, having taken a total of 248 wickets in Tests and 204 wickets in One Day Internationals. His long and impressive career spans over 15 years, during which time he has been an integral part of the Zimbabwean team’s success.
His ability to generate late swing and keep his line and length for long periods, combined with excellent bowling control makes him a truly formidable opponent and one of the best bowlers to ever don Zimbabwean colours.
Brandes’ commitment to the sport and his ability to remain competitive even after such a long career make him the top pick on our list and the face of Zimbabwean bowling.
Zimbabwean Bowling – A Legacy Built to Last
Zimbabwean bowling is a sport that has been around since the early 1900s and has established itself as one of the most renowned sports in the country. Its legacy is rooted in the country’s cricketing success, where bowlers have been known to use their spin and skill to move the ball around, while also using their finesse and accuracy to take wickets. The top five bowlers of Zimbabwe of all time have all contributed to this legacy with their exemplary performances over the years.
