Takashinga Patriots 2 Younger Dreams Big

By Branton Matondo

Every amazing cricket journey starts at grassroots where talent is spotted and enriched to suit the demanding professional phase of first class cricket.
With the National Premier League (NPL) already underway one can not dismiss noticing desirable young talent already making a mark in the domestic franchise.

Post On Sunday got in touch with a young slow left arm orthodox bowler Ryan Simbi who has so far claimed a key spot in the Harare based outfit Takashinga Patriots 2.

Quizzed on his journey so far with the men in yellow and melune Simbi said playing for such an experienced side boosts his confidence as a lad and its once in a life time opportunity to gain humongous experience.

“It’s a good thing, I’m getting more experience from each and every game. It’s always a benefit for us young guys to play with older guys.”
He added, “So far the perfomance has been good but my personal aim is to take 3 wickets per game to boost my perfomance.”

Simbi first feel of the ball in the elite league was an outing against Uprising were he collected two wickets.

The promising lad has so far bagged 6 wickets from 3 games.

“Playing in the NPL is an advantage for all young players like me because in my case l’m trying to make it in the Under 19 World Cup Zimbabwean squad. Such a call to represent is a great achievement because you get to play international players. In the next 5 years l expect to play first class cricket and hope for a national team position,” cited Simbi while responding to his prospects as an upcoming cricket player.

A host of young players receive inspiration from different top players who have made a mark on the local, regional, and international scene.

For the 18 year old left arm spin inspiration is derived from Wellington Masakadza, a well know Zimbabwean all-rounder.

“I adore Wellington Masakadza because of the way he plays and the way he rose from humble ranks. Those two aspects inspire me a lot.”

Having transitioned from a left arm seam during his tender years at Primary School to left arm spin Simbi has so far maintained his position as a young bowler.

Young Simbi recently clinched two wickets at Mutare Sports Club against a defeaning Westside club boasting of regular players.

Meanwhile the match between Takashinga Patriots 1 and Westside was declared a draw after a huge stroke of bad weather this past Sunday.

Westside opted to bat first setting a convincing total of 304.
Takashinga Patriots 2 batsmen were unable to respond to the call due to the bad weather.