Masakadza moves twoards his historic hundred

The ZCU has embarked on an ambitious restructuring programme designed to tackle the issue and the local press have gorged themselves on the revelations from what is often perceived to be an elitist white sport.

For just about everyone involved in the game, Masakadza's achievement was a timely distraction.

Masakadza was the first black player and also the youngest Zimbabwean ever to score a first-class century in domestic competition, but comes from a family with absolutely no cricketing background whatsoever.

His father, who was present at the ground when his son reached three figures, was lost for words largely because he had little idea of the scale of the achievement.

"I give my son to the cricket union for the rest of his lifetime," a bemused but happy Kingston Masakadza said afterwards.

Masakadza junior was introduced to the game of cricket at Mbizi Primary School in the Harare township of Highfield where he was spotted by ZCU coach Stephen Mangongo.

Houghton: More talent to come

And it was his first coach to whom the youngster immediately paid tribute after reaching his hundred.

He now attends Churchill Boy's High School where he is one of over 30 boys who are on cricket scholarships, almost all of them sponsored by the ZCU.

Remarkably, when he was called up to make his debut last week he stepped into a team that already included one of his classmates.

18 year-old wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu made his debut in the first test in Bulawayo.

But it does not end there.

Batsman Stuart Matsikenyire played for Zimbabwe 'A' against the West Indies earlier in the tour and those who know, such as former test player Dave Houghton who coaches regularly at the school, say there is more to come.

Naturally, given the talent available, the school is one of the strongest in the country, although the three players with international experience regularly drop themselves down the batting order to allow their team-mates time in the middle.

Taibu: Still at school

The day after Masakadza scored his century, students at the school virtually broke down the headmaster's door as they clamoured to be allowed to go to the game.

One bus was found and 76 of the school's cricketers arrived in their purple blazers, but many more were left behind.

Masakadza is studying English, Maths and Geography and sits his A-levels at the end of the year, a fact that may mean both he and Taibu are unavailable for the series against South Africa in September and October.

Both have already had to have their mock exams rescheduled as a result of their cricket commitments.

Ironically, Masakadza's ambition is recorded as "to go to university and get a degree and then play professional cricket".

He surely will not mind that that ambition has been turned upside-down.