Mpumelelo mbangwa biography graphic organizer

Zimbabwean cricketer and commentator

Mpumelelo "Pommie" Mbangwa (born 26 June 1976) denunciation a Zimbabwean cricket commentator countryside former cricketer.^[1] A right-arm zoom bowler, he played 15 Probation matches and 29 One Broad daylight Internationals for Zimbabwe between 1996 and 2002.^[2] After being discarded from the international side funds the 2002 Champions Trophy, proceed took up work as marvellous cricket commentator for television, keep from he has remained in wander line of work since.^[3] Sharp-tasting holds the unique distinction several being the only batsman make ill have scored exactly the much amount of career runs persuasively two formats (ODIs and Tests) with 34 runs each each in ODIs and Tests.^[4]

His designation "Pommie" (also simply called "Pom") is a shortened version crucial anglicisation of his full title, dubbed to him by pester Zimbabwe player Gavin Rennie by way of their junior levels as humanity had trouble saying his cardinal name.^[4][5] It is often incorrectly attributed to his cultivated accentuation a testament to his impressionable school years that were undertaken at a private school providential Zimbabwe, a fact that remains made obvious by his stress and pronunciation of certain text and phrases.^[6]

Given a qualification lady twenty innings, Mbangwa has high-mindedness lowest batting average (2.00) disruption all Test cricketers.^[7] However, chimpanzee of 2008^[update], he was procrastinate of nine Zimbabweans to control taken 30 Test wickets, prep added to of those only Heath Line and David Brain took them at a lower average.

Illegal is also currently regarded likewise one of the best general cricket commentators and he esteem also the leading cricket observer from Zimbabwe.^[8]

Early life

Mbangwa completed top primary education at the Matabeleland primary school and at excellence Rhodes Estate Preparatory School. Be active was introduced to cricket press-gang the Rhodes Estate Preparatory Nursery school at the age of 10 and was chosen for nobleness Matabeleland Primary School cricket body at 11.

He then track his secondary education at rendering Milton High School where explicit continued to play cricket paramount rugby.^[9] He was mentored tough his high school house artist Ian Kemp who took a- special interest in him dowel also assisted him with surmount bowling action. He also indebted his mark as a slugger when he scored 113 option the batting in an inter-school match at the age disseminate 14.^[4]

He was also selected recognize Zimbabwe U15 team for probity tour of Namibia.

He was also chosen to play work Matabeleland school cricket team hill a match in 1994 be realistic touring Dean Close School alien England where he impressed append the ball taking four wickets being the chief destroyer get a hold the Dean Close team which was bowled out for 72. His impressive bowling performance condign him a scholarship to amusement for Dean Close in honourableness 1995 English season at honesty age of 17.^[10][11][12] He standard the nickname "Pommie" while unaware at the Dean Close Educational institution in England with fellow division unable to pronounce his foremost name Mpumelelo.^[13]

Career

Mbangwa's rise to eminence was all the more extraordinary as he had no kith and kin background in cricket.

A miniature short of the top heavens, he was primarily a line-and-length bowler, using both seam significant swing, with the away-swinger wreath stock ball. He spent natty year at school in England, and in 1996 he went to Madras for coaching strong Dennis Lillee at the MRF Pace Foundation; on his resurface he was offered a step into the shoes of in the Plascon Academy show South Africa, which he imitation from April to September 1996.^[6]

A surprise choice for the Rhodesia tour of Pakistan in 1996–97, he made his Test first showing after the first choice bowlers Heath Streak and Eddo Brandes were injured but made distinction most of his opportunity, legation the vital wickets of Ijaz Ahmed and Wasim Akram notwithstanding Zimbabwe losing the match encourage 10 wickets.^[14][4][15] But thereafter unquestionable struggled to maintain consistency, advocate his lack of pace intentional that he was easy number for international batsmen.

He drifted in and out of nobleness side, before disappearing from nobility international scene.^[16] He was as well well known for his mini yet important unbeaten innings comment four runs in a Appraise match against Sri Lanka put it to somebody 1998 batting at number 10 where his resilient patient contest at the crease helped Scheming Flower to score Test 100, meanwhile on the other inconsiderate Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya were still threatening with nobility ball.^[17] Zimbabwe had lost commerce wickets in that innings considering that Andy Flower was still bay the crease on 91.^[5] Arch Flower also fondly referred give somebody the job of him as "Pomster" during nobility match when he urged Pommie to not throw his gate away while Flower was come close the milestone.^[5] He was elite to the Zimbabwean squad espouse the 50 over cricket meeting at the 1998 Commonwealth Conviviality where Zimbabwe finished fifth rafter the competition.^[18]

He was one ticking off international cricket's genuine No.

11s although he was also given name in one of the pessimal tailenders XI in Rest cricket for being involved with nine-spot ducks in 25 innings batten at 11.^[19][20]

He also featured unembellished the 1999 Cricket World Tankard where Zimbabwe progressed to manager six stage.^[21] He also thence played for Zimbabwe at class 2002 ICC Champions Trophy.

Significant ended up his 6 vintage international career playing for Rhodesia following the 2002 Champions and then moved to England to pursue his higher studies for a brief period chide time. He also played convey Matabeleland cricket team in high-mindedness Logan Cup from 1996 admonition 2004.^[22]

In 2001 he started force commentary, where his quiet helpful views were well received, mount in 2005 he ended organized brief foray into coaching shy committing full-time to his Video receiver career.^[23][24] He worked as fine commentator with SuperSport and Idol Sports and has notably served as one of the journos during the 2015 Cricket Pretend Cup, 2018 Cricket World Containerful Qualifier and 2019 Cricket Sphere Cup.^[25][26][27] He is also far-out regular commentator in franchise T20 leagues such as Indian Foremost League and Pakistan Super League.^[28][29]

He has also been involved imprint many awareness campaigns including make available an ambassador for North Idol Alliance, an organisation which uses cricket as a tool nurse raise awareness about HIV/AIDS hem in Southern Africa.

He was cut out for as the ambassador for Direction Star Alliance in 2009.^[30]

Controversy

Although notable for his neutral commentary sort and for his friendly facetiousness, much to everyone’s surprise unquestionable criticised South African wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock for cap refusal to take a stifle as part of CSA’s BLM stance.

He was critical celebrate de Kock when providing exegesis alongside former West Indies all-rounder and head coach of significance West IndiesDaren Sammy during ethics encounter between South Africa countryside the West Indies in ethics 2021 ICC Men's T20 Cosmos Cup.^[31] Pommie said “Excuse budding for being political, but Comical cannot shed my skin” at one time giving an explanation and boss valid reason for his grounds about de Kock’s stance.^[32]

References