DESPITE being omitted from Zimbabwe’s provisional squad of 30 players for the 2015 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup, fast bowler Christopher Mpofu has not given up hopes of playing international cricket again.
Mpofu’s name did not feature when Zimbabwe Cricket released the 30-men interim squad for next year’s tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand. It came as a shock that the bowler once regarded as the best fast bowler in the Zimbabwean senior national cricket team cannot even make it into an expanded squad of 30 players.
The 29-year-old lanky fast bowler was targeting appearing at the global event for the third time in a row after he represented the country in the West Indies 2007 and 2011 in the sub continent.
The bowler whose career has been hampered by a nagging lower back injury that has troubled him since the end of 2011 has worked hard to prove his fitness. Mpofu has only played limited overs matches only for his franchise Matabeleland Tuskers since the start of the domestic season last month as a way of managing his fitness. He is the second highest wicket taker in the Pro50 Championship with six wickets to his name, one wicket behind the duo of Brian Vitori and Trevor Garwe who are both on seven wickets so far with three matches played.
Asked if he knows why he is continually being ignored for national duty, Mpofu said he was not aware of the reasons. He however declared that he would fight his way back into the national team.
There have been accusations that since Mpofu seemed to be liked by former coach Alan Butcher, he was informed that he will be fixed when certain people take over which seems to make sense since Mpofu is one of the best pace bowlers in the country. He said he was not concerned even if that was the case and he is going to wait for his time to come.
“I think it is one of those reasons but I know how good I am so that can’t stop me and I know my time is coming,’’ said Mpofu when asked if it is true that he is being punished for being a favourite of Butcher. Mpofu last played an international match for Zimbabwe on 3 March 2013 in the second Twenty20 International against West Indies in Antigua where he opened the bowling, bowled his full quota of four overs, picked up one wicket at the expense of 27 runs.
In response to the continued non selection of Mpofu, convener of national team selectors, Givemore Makoni said the bowler was left out of the provisional squad because he was not active for most parts of last year because of injury. According to Makoni, the players in the squad were chosen basing on their performance from last year.
“Indeed Chris has done well in the current season. But that is only three games — and since last month. Which begs the question over what period we looked at players before coming up with the 30? It goes back to last year and includes a long period when Chris was not active, partly due to injury. For your own information, we did consult officials at Tuskers,’’ said Makoni.
Zimbabwe Provisional squad for 2015 Cricket
World Cup
Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa, Natsai M’shangwe, Cuthbert Musoko, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams, Cephas Zhuwao.