The Future Starts Here: Winstonians On The Way Up

Winstonians, the Harare high-density cricket club that derives its name from Churchill Boys High School where it began, is making steady progress towards national first-league status. John Ward spoke to player-captain Andy Flower about the progress of the club.

Andy Flower caused surprise in quite a few areas two years ago when he decided to leave Universals Sports Club, with that club's blessing, to link up with the Winstonians Club based at Churchill High School and consisting mainly of pupils who lived in the high-density suburbs of Harare, mainly in Highfield.

But this was merely a case of putting his money where his mouth is. Other Zimbabwean cricketers are keen for the development of cricket among the black population and realise that success here is essential for the prosperity of the game in the country. But Andy is the first one to be so committed to the cause that he should leave the comfort of a long-standing and prosperous club to become actively involved in the playing side and the development of a predominantly black club.

It is culture rather than race that has hindered the integration of cricket, and most other sports too, in Zimbabwe. The racist policies of the white governments prior to 1979 meant that three different cultures grew up in the country (Asians and Coloureds, as the mixed races were called, were the third, classified together) and there was very little social mixing between the three. As a result, after 1979 when the first black government took power in the country, most people who remained became committed to the equality of the races, but yawning cultural differences remained. There have been and still are numerous occasions when accusations of racism are levelled at certain parties, when the problem is simply one of lack of understanding or appreciation of a different culture.

This affected cricket when formerly white clubs threw open their doors to other races. Black players, often from impoverished backgrounds, usually had to travel long distances to these clubs and did not feel comfortable there, as the culture was so different from what they were used to. On the other hand, the white majority at these traditional clubs often failed to appreciate this problem and so failed, and probably did not know how, to make these black players feel at home. Such was a vast difference in culture and background that it would have been very difficult anyway. Many black players who did join formerly white clubs did not stay long, feeling like fish out of water.

What was needed was to take the game into the high-density townships, as had already been done with the development programme. But it was needed on an adult level as well, to cater for those who learnt the game at school, but did not know where to go to play the game once they had left school. It needed white players to go out personally and work and play in the high-density suburbs. This is what Andy has done.

Andy is one of the few players actually in a position to do so. Players have a responsibility to look after their own game, and most other players, had they done as Andy has, would have done so to the detriment of their own game. Only a player at the top of his game, certain of selection and so competent at his craft that it would not suffer through playing at what would initially be a lower level, could have successfully taken that step.

"I have always believed it important that we develop centres in the high-density areas so that the players there have facilities available to them rather than travelling miles into town," says Andy. "I think it's essential for the future of Zimbabwe cricket that we get more black players playing the game. We have large numbers already, and that's where we will get our quality when we have sufficient numbers playing. I thought that my playing experience could help them get into first league, which I believe we will do this coming season. We will be the first high-density-based club in the first league, which will be a great step forward for Zimbabwean cricket."

The new Winstonians ground, opposite the well-known Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, is progressing, although slowly. Concrete nets have been built and are in constant use, and the plan is to have astroturf laid on top of the base. The pitch has been dug, but the foundations are only shallow at present, and Andy says that an expert is needed to come in and lay the final layers. The outfield still needs to be cleared, levelled properly and replanted. A Durawall has been put round the ground to protect it from misuse and petty vandalism, and sponsors have been confirmed: OK Bazaars, who have a large store adjacent to the ground, are the leading sponsors at the moment. The players themselves have bent their backs to do a great deal of voluntary work on the ground, overseen by Stephen Mangongo.

"They have been very good and have worked well with the development committee," says Andy. "We couldn't do it without their help. We've had a lot of other help from people donating things like time and machinery." Andy's father Bill has been the chairman of the development committee, but he is in the process of moving to Mutare to work for cricket in Manicaland and has had to hand over to John Makaro. Bill put a tremendous amount of dynamic energy into the project and it is hoped that the new man will continue in the save vein.

On the playing side, Winstonians came a very close second to MacDonald Club of Bulawayo in the second league, mainly because, according to Andy, they played one more match and many of Winstonians' games were badly disrupted by the weather that turned the club competition almost into a lottery. Andy's aim for his club this year is to win the second league and gain promotion to the first league, and he is confident that they will do so. They are already in the first league of the Mashonaland Vigne Cup and have generally performed most creditably in their matches to date. They have not yet won a match, but have come very close on more than one occasion and had some excellent games of cricket.

His players, Andy says, are progressing really well; they are strongly motivated, their training disciplines are excellent and they are hungry to succeed. Andy's own role has been strictly limited this season due to national team commitments. The main coaches at the club are Walter Chawaguta and Stephen Mangongo who run the club in a very competent and disciplined manner. The young players from Churchill School are so disciplined that Andy says he is sure they could run their own club if need be.

Kit is always a major problem in Zimbabwe due to the excessive price of quality equipment, but Andy says that the Breweries have been a great help in proving kit, although bats are still a major problem. The bats they have are used so often that they have a short lifespan, so quality is important. Andy has arranged with some of the other national cricketers to 'look after' some of the leading Winstonians players, donating kit as a reward for their achievements, and hopes that this will be an ongoing process. He also sees it as important for the establishment of a rapport between the national players and his youngsters, so that the former may play the part of mentors, discussing the game with the youngsters and helping them with their games.

Andy spoke about several of Winstonians' most promising players. He named Hamilton Masikadza, currently playing for Zimbabwe Under-19 in the World Cup, an opening batsman and leg-spinner, as a top-quality player of great potential. The 16-year-old Stuart Matsikanyere is a diminutive right-hand batsman whose progress coaches have followed with interest since his junior school days; he has enjoyed a fruitful season for Winstonians. He could well have been selected for the Under-19 team as well and, since his family home is in Manicaland, will probably represent that province in the Logan Cup; Andy has already spoken to Mark Burmester in Mutare about him.

Tatenda Taibu, another Under-19 player, is a wicket-keeper/batsman; a good keeper who takes the ball well and is a lovely talented batsman; Andy does not think it will be long until he is seen in the national squad. Alester Maregwede, the Under-19 opening batsman, has had a rather disappointing season, and Andy hopes to see him once again continuing the progress he made in the past.

Andy does not know the exact numbers, but says the club has a good membership and is currently running three teams. The committee is in the process of starting a Supporters Club, for a nominal fee. They are on their way up, and it can truly be said that the future of Zimbabwe cricket is here. Their future success will, it is hoped, inspire similar clubs perhaps throughout the country and, once they have raised their standard of play to first-league level, other national cricketers may also be free to join and add their expertise.

Shortly after independence another black team, named Bionics, was formed, and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, with good intentions, quickly promoted them to the first league while they still had a weak player base and an indifferent playing record. They were totally outclassed and faded away quite quickly. The administrators no doubt wish to avoid repeating the mistake, and are therefore biding their time, waiting for Winstonians to grow at a natural rate and earn their promotion the same way as other clubs. All with the future of Zimbabwe cricket at heart hope that they will fulfil Andy's confidence and take that final upward step for next season.