5 cricketers who played for Zimbabwe and other nations
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with teams from different parts of the globe competing against each other regularly. Asia and Australia have been home to the most successful cricket teams. Meanwhile, Europe and Africa are also not far behind.
Speaking of Africa, there are three top cricketing nations in the continent. First is the South African cricket team. The Proteas have given champion players like AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, Shaun Pollock, and many others to the cricket world. Zimbabwe is also a Test-playing nation, while Namibia has shown signs of becoming a top-tier team in the future.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe has fallen below its ranks. There was a time when the Zimbabwean team could compete with the top-level nations. However, some talents left the nation to make their career in another country. This listicle features the five cricketers who played for Zimbabwe and other nations.
5. Sam Curran
English all-rounder Sam Curran has impressed everyone with his performances on the cricket field. Curran has played for the Kings XI Punjab and the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
Very few fans might know that Sam Curran's brother Tom Curran was born in Zimbabwe. While Sam was born in England, he played cricket for Zimbabwe at the U-13 level.
Zimbabwe-India in 1983 CWC:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) August 4, 2018
Indian Captain: Kapil Dev (175*)
Losing team player: Kevin Curran (73 & 3/63)
England-India in Birmingham Test, 2018:
Indian Captain: Virat Kohli (149 & 51)
Man of the Match: Sam Curran (87 & 5/92)
Sam Curran is the son of Kevin Curran. #ENGvIND
4. Reginald Nehonde
Reginald Nehonde is a 30-year-old player who was born in Zimbabwe. The right-arm off-break bowler was a part of the Zimbabwe U-19 team in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2008.
However, he could convert his success at the senior level. Ultimately, he shifted to Botswana and played international cricket for the Botswana team. He has played seven T20Is so far.
3. John Traicos
Athanasios John Traicos was born in Egypt Spouse Annette Kileff in 1947. He played Test cricket for South Africa and then moved to Zimbabwe.
In total, John played seven Tests and 27 ODI matches in his cricket career. His last Test appearance came for Zimbabwe in a match against the Indian cricket team in 1993.
2. Colin de Grandhomme
Current New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has achieved much success in the global arena. He has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. The all-rounder's medium pace has created troubles for the opposition batsmen in the pace-friendly conditions of New Zealand.
Not many fans might know that de Grandhomme started his international career with Zimbabwe. He was a part of the Zimbabwean team in the U-19 World Cup of 2003/04. Interestingly, Zimbabwe U-19s had defeated New Zealand U-19s in that competition, with Brendan Taylor being the Man of the Match.
He now represents New Zealand, but Colin de Grandhomme looks back fondly at his experience at the #U19CWC with Zimbabwe in 2004.https://t.co/aEe8i7vVsK pic.twitter.com/FX9KMpFxmY
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) December 26, 2017
1. Gary Ballance
Gary Ballance is another cricketer who played for Zimbabwe in the U-19 World Cup but switched his country then. Ballance was a part of the Zimbabwean squad in the 2006 U-19 World Cup.
The left-handed batsman later became a member of the England cricket team. He has played 16 ODI matches and 23 Tests for the English team so far. Ballance played in the U-19 World Cup for Zimbabwe because he was born in Harare.