The Sunday News
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
A FINE innings has come to an end!
Former Zimbabwe international off-spinner John Nyumbu has called time on his professional cricket playing career after a successful 19 years in the middle.
Making his first-class debut for Tuskers (then Matabeleland) in 2004 as a Milton Boys High School learner, Nyumbu played 88 matches for the side, raking up 239 wickets at an average of 31.91 with best figures of 6/59 against Southern Rocks at Queens
Sports Club in March 2014, a match Tuskers won by one wicket. In List A cricket, he took 112 scalps at an average of 29.63 and with a best of 5/21. In the shortest format, the 37-year-old picked up 24 wickets in 37 outings.
Nyumbu also proved handy with the bat in first class (Logan Cup) where he finished with three half-centuries throughout his career with a best of 65 runs which contributed to his total of 1 362 runs. In List A (Pro50 Championship), Nyumbu scored 380 runs with a best of 29 not out while in the shortest format, he has 78 runs and a best of 25.
John Nyumbu looks up to the skies after picking up five wickets on debut against the Proteas
“It’s always a difficult feeling to call it quits after a long time doing what you love, and for me it was even tougher because all I knew was Matabeleland/Tuskers from the time I started playing but hey time waits for no man, and my little bell has rung for me to call it a day,” said Nyumbu.
Like many cricketers, the dream is to represent their countries and don the national colours with pride which Nyumbu managed to achieve, giving his all for the Chevrons. Making his international debut in 2014 against South Africa in Harare, he announced himself in style, taking fifer on debut which makes some of his career highlights. Nyumbu finished with 5/157 in that Test match against Proteas and one of those wickets was that of AB de Villiers, one of the best ever batsman the cricketing world has ever seen.
“I have many highlights but just being able to have played for so long is the biggest one for me and because of that a few more achievements came along like representing my country in all three formats and of course the fifer on Test debut versus the Proteas,” he said.
In his international career, he played three Tests, 19 ODIs, and two T20Is taking five, 17, and zero wickets respectively. His last international appearance came in July 2018 against Pakistan in a T20I at Harare Sports Club. Nyumbu thanked Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) for everything they did for him throughout his career, the coaches, players whom he played with, and his wife who has been supportive of his cricket journey, thus playing a major factor in his longevity.
“I thank Zimbabwe Cricket for everything they have done for me, I am blessed to have been able to play that long and also had the right people to help me and mould me to be who I am, the likes of legendary Jerry Sullivan, Pollock Mubobo, Mr Singo (Nick), Steve Mangongo (who gave him his international debut), players I played with but were seniors in playing terms, Tawanda Mupariwa, Chris Mpofu, Keith Dabengwa. But above all just discipline, working hard, and the God factor which has been second to none. The support system from my wife at home has been massive,” said Nyumbu.
John Nyumbu celebrates a wicket with Donald Tiripano and Tinashe Panyangara
In 2014, he was the leading wicket-taker in the Logan Cup and a couple of years ago he topped the charts in the Pro50 Championship. He is also a five-time Logan Cup champion, three-time Pro50 Championship winner, and has won the domestic T20 twice with Tuskers.
Now based in Hampshire, United Kingdom (UK) Nyumbu is in the books of Andover Cricket Club where he will still be involved in the game both playing and coaching. However, he will have the chance to spend more time with his family whilst looking at other avenues.
— Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin
