Interview with Sarah Dambanevana
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:55 pm
Zimbabwe Cricket News interviewed national womens team player Sarah Dambanevana recently. Here is the Q & A.
1. How did you first get in to cricket?
I started playing cricket when I was still in high school thus in 2007 for midlands women's team now known as Midwest Rhinos women's team. I was new as in it was my first time to play cricket. I only knew cricket from watching it on tv. That very same year I played my first class matches and I did not make it in the national team. But that did not stop me from playing cricket. I worked hard the following year though there was not much cricket at that moment because the national team had gone for the world cup qualifiers but could not make it. In 2009 I was selected in the national team that was preparing for the regional world cup qualifiers which where going to be held the following year in Nairobi Kenya. That was when I played my first international matches and we managed to qualify for the world cup qualifiers which where held in Bangladesh in 2011.
2. What has been the highlight of your cricketing career?
I would say the highlight of my cricket career was in last year when we went for the regional T20 world cup qualifiers in Tanzania. I managed to come out as one of the best bowlers of the tournament and as a team we managed to qualify for the world cup qualifiers which was held in Ireland this year in July. We played in difficult conditions but my team an I managed to pull through. We managed to defend small totals. As a strike bowler it was difficult but I managed with my teammates to defend. In that very tournament I was one of the most economical bowler.
3. What goals do you have for the future regarding your cricket career?
Regarding my cricket career in future I just wish that one day I will find my team and I playing in one of the world cups and I know that if we manage to play in the world cup that will automatically mean we will have the ODI status. We will have the chance to compete with greater teams such as Australia, West Indies, England and India hence that will make me even a greater player who can be recognised.
4. What are the challenges facing women's cricket in Zimbabwe?
I would say the most challenging thing in Zimbabwe cricket is lack of exposure. We always qualify for the qualifiers but because we always meet teams that always play international cricket we always find it difficult to qualify for the world cups. But I think with the friendly matches we are having with teams like South Africa I think soon we will be able to match the the other stronger opponents. And the other thing is that we don't have a women's league. I'm sure if we could have a league that runs through out the session like the men's, one day we will be somewhere.
5. Who were your cricketing heroes growing up?
Growing up I admired Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut' s bowling. Those were my two heroes from my country. But there was also Brett Lee. He was my hero too. I can't even forget the 2007 world cup when he took the first hat-trick of the tournament. I loved his pace too.
6. Which players and coaches have you learnt the most from?
I have learnt the most from my coach Alister Zowe that you don't just work up one day and say I want to bowl quick, I want to take a 5 wicket haul, I want my team to win without working hard. Everything comes after working hard. You can only achieve your dreams through hard work. I always followed Heath Streak and Brett Lee when they bowl. I have learnt a lot from their bowling.
7. Do you foresee a bright future for women's cricket in Zimbabwe?
Yes I do see a bright future for women cricket in Zimbabwe. Cricket is being played in all schools with girls, with different ages and I'm sure with that we do have a bright future. With the current national team which is there I do see a bright future as well because it is a team full of young players who are committed and willing to play. As long as we are going to have more game time, more competition I foresee a bright future.
1. How did you first get in to cricket?
I started playing cricket when I was still in high school thus in 2007 for midlands women's team now known as Midwest Rhinos women's team. I was new as in it was my first time to play cricket. I only knew cricket from watching it on tv. That very same year I played my first class matches and I did not make it in the national team. But that did not stop me from playing cricket. I worked hard the following year though there was not much cricket at that moment because the national team had gone for the world cup qualifiers but could not make it. In 2009 I was selected in the national team that was preparing for the regional world cup qualifiers which where going to be held the following year in Nairobi Kenya. That was when I played my first international matches and we managed to qualify for the world cup qualifiers which where held in Bangladesh in 2011.
2. What has been the highlight of your cricketing career?
I would say the highlight of my cricket career was in last year when we went for the regional T20 world cup qualifiers in Tanzania. I managed to come out as one of the best bowlers of the tournament and as a team we managed to qualify for the world cup qualifiers which was held in Ireland this year in July. We played in difficult conditions but my team an I managed to pull through. We managed to defend small totals. As a strike bowler it was difficult but I managed with my teammates to defend. In that very tournament I was one of the most economical bowler.
3. What goals do you have for the future regarding your cricket career?
Regarding my cricket career in future I just wish that one day I will find my team and I playing in one of the world cups and I know that if we manage to play in the world cup that will automatically mean we will have the ODI status. We will have the chance to compete with greater teams such as Australia, West Indies, England and India hence that will make me even a greater player who can be recognised.
4. What are the challenges facing women's cricket in Zimbabwe?
I would say the most challenging thing in Zimbabwe cricket is lack of exposure. We always qualify for the qualifiers but because we always meet teams that always play international cricket we always find it difficult to qualify for the world cups. But I think with the friendly matches we are having with teams like South Africa I think soon we will be able to match the the other stronger opponents. And the other thing is that we don't have a women's league. I'm sure if we could have a league that runs through out the session like the men's, one day we will be somewhere.
5. Who were your cricketing heroes growing up?
Growing up I admired Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut' s bowling. Those were my two heroes from my country. But there was also Brett Lee. He was my hero too. I can't even forget the 2007 world cup when he took the first hat-trick of the tournament. I loved his pace too.
6. Which players and coaches have you learnt the most from?
I have learnt the most from my coach Alister Zowe that you don't just work up one day and say I want to bowl quick, I want to take a 5 wicket haul, I want my team to win without working hard. Everything comes after working hard. You can only achieve your dreams through hard work. I always followed Heath Streak and Brett Lee when they bowl. I have learnt a lot from their bowling.
7. Do you foresee a bright future for women's cricket in Zimbabwe?
Yes I do see a bright future for women cricket in Zimbabwe. Cricket is being played in all schools with girls, with different ages and I'm sure with that we do have a bright future. With the current national team which is there I do see a bright future as well because it is a team full of young players who are committed and willing to play. As long as we are going to have more game time, more competition I foresee a bright future.