Centurion Masakadza pays tribute to coach

Hamilton Masakadza, the youngest batsman to score a century on Test debut, feels that it was wonderful to reach a hundred but was not aware that he was setting an international record.

"I had an incredible feeling and it was wonderful but I had no idea what records I was breaking. My achievements this year have to do with a lot of hard work and also my coach Stephen Mangongo. He introduced me to the game and taught me to practise properly, involving more quality than quantity.

"When I was on 97 and I went to the striker's end there were cheers from all over the ground and that did put me under pressure but you have to learn to cope with it because fans shall always be there. When I reached 90 the West Indies bowlers started bowling really tight at me and coupled with the atmosphere in the stands it made it more difficult for me to reach the hundred.

"My hundred on Sunday was mainly due to the thirties I scored against them in the two warm-up matches for the President's XI and Zimbabwe A. So I just needed to stick my head down and go all the way. It was also to do with the situation we were in at that stage.

"Of the West Indies bowlers, I was most comfortable with Reon King because he bowls inswingers and that's my strength. I like anything off my legs.

"I knew that if I went out cheaply then there was every chance of us losing the game inside three days. But now after my hundred we managed to turn the game around and now we are the ones in a stronger position from a huge first-innings deficit.

"Coming in at number three was not a problem to me because I had already scored thirties against West Indies while batting as an opener. So I knew what to expect from them.

"I am due to write my A-Level exams this year but I don't think that playing international cricket affects my studying. Those who feel that sport affects studying are just lazy. You get a lot of time to study after practices and also after the game as long as you put your mind to your work.

"Next year after my A-Levels I am still looking at going to university with cricket being part-time. This is not because I believe in academics more than sport. But I just need to get my academic qualifications first and then take up sport full-time. I am definitely going to play professional cricket some time in my life so I need to get the academics out of my way first."