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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

PLAYING your dream sport must be an incredible feeling but waiting too long to play for the national team must be extremely agonising.

With just 32 First Class matches under his name, 116 wickets at an average of 26,5 and the best figures of 6-91, 29-year-old Ernest Masuku is rated one of the best long format bowlers in Zimbabwe.

Having made his First-Class debut for Tuskers in 2017 against Rhinos in Kwekwe, Masuku has since become a regular for the Bulawayo side and one of their most trusted bowlers.

The Tuskers man is confident that he will don the national whites one. He has been called up to the national team before in the shorter formats, however, he is yet to play for the Chevrons.

“I still dream of playing test cricket for Zimbabwe and I don’t think I’m far off from making the team. I have been called up to the national side a few times and waiting to play for the Chevrons can be frustrating,” said Masuku.

His journey into the gentlemen’s game started in 2003 as he used to play backyard cricket with his brothers before he joined a local club, Roosters where he played age group cricket up to the Under-19 level.

His love of the gentlemen’s game came from just watching the sport.

“No inspiration really, I just watched on TV and I really enjoyed it and I just tried it, got a scholarship to go to high school, that’s when I realised I’m not so bad at cricket,” said Masuku.

The former Njube High School and Milton Boys High School student, who finished with 11 wickets in eight outings for Tuskers in the 2022/23 Pro50 Championship, said the main focus is to keep taking wickets and give his best for his club.

Milton High School

“I just want to help Tuskers win, I’m not worried about my personal achievements, I just want to do well for the province,” he said.

Masuku is not only familiar with the local setup as he has plied his trade out of the country which he believes has had a positive impact in his career. He encouraged aspiring cricketers never to give up and to work hard.

“I have learnt to be a lot more responsible and manage my cricket and be in a position to help others as well. I urge young guys to work hard, grab all opportunities that come their way in order to achieve their goals,” said Masuku.

Tuskers finished in position four in the Pro50 Championship and their next challenge is the Logan Cup.