Arnold Rushambwa - biography

FULL NAME: Arnold Rushambwa
BORN: At Harare, 1 March 1982
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2001/02). Present club side: Takashinga
KNOWN AS: Arnold Rushambwa. Nickname: Rush
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Fast Medium
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy student

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 1-4 March 2002, CFX Academy v Mashonaland A, at Country Club, Harare
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (March 2002)

Arnold Rushambwa is another young black Zimbabwean cricketer who is the first of his family to play the sport. His interest was first aroused at Mbizi Primary School in Highfields, a black township of Harare, when Stephen Mangongo introduced the game to the boys at the school.

His first matches were played for the school team, and his best batting performance was 97 not out, which remains his highest score in any class of cricket. He notes that his bowling in those years was notable more for its accuracy and economy than wicket-taking. In Grade Seven he was selected for a development tour in Gauteng, but feels he was not successful.

He progressed to Churchill High School, earning a scholarship in Form Two. Here he scored 68 not out against Prince Edward School, and took five wickets for three runs against Watershed. He did not play any inter-provincial or national cricket for age-group teams while at school.

Arnold left school in 1999, but successfully retook O-level subjects that he had failed at school. He has played club cricket for Takashinga since he was in Grade Seven, his best performances for the club being 68 with the bat and six wickets for 14 runs with the ball against Kwekwe.

Without any outside encouragement, but through his own enthusiasm, Arnold applied for the CFX Academy for 2002 and was accepted.

As a batsman Arnold tends to favour the back foot, being strong on the drive and pull. He would like to bat at number five or six in the order. With the ball he moves the new ball into the batsman, but is mastering the art of reverse swing with the old ball. He generally fields in middle-distance positions, with a special liking for backward point.

As with so many other black players, Arnold pays tribute to Stephen Mangongo as the coach who has helped him the most throughout his career. He says, "I think this year is going to be a great year for me because I have the most wonderful coaches, Dave Houghton at CFX, and Eddo Brandes. I want to use the competition we have here to the best of my ability."

Cricket heroes: Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Jonty Rhodes

Toughest opponents: Henry Olonga so far as a bowler; Andy Flower as a batsman.

Personal ambitions: "I'm aiming to play county cricket, and also the national team if I can. I would like to take a hat-trick, if I can, and score a hundred."

Proudest achievement so far: "Being in this year's CFX Academy."

Best friends in cricket: Vusi Sibanda, Elton Chigumbura.

Other qualifications: None.

Other sports: Rugby (lock) at Churchill School.

Outside interests: Reading novels and magazines, "to improve my vocabulary."

Views on cricket: "I want my national team to win more games. I know it is just a matter of time before they will achieve."