5 Zimbabwean players who never played in the IPL but could have done well

Zimbabwe was a formidable team in the ODI format in the 1990s and early 2000s. The team was capable of beating the top cricketing nations on their day. The cricketing world witnessed the best of Zimbabwean cricket in the 1999 World Cup. The African nation beat Kenya, India, and South Africa in the group stages to qualify for the group 6 stage. They could not progress further in the tournament but the cricketing world witnessed the rise of Zimbabwean cricket.

The team comprised of a settled batting unit, match winning all-rounders and variety in bolwing attacks which made them a formidable outfit. The 2003 World Cup also witnessed Zimbabwe making it to the super six round. Thereafter due to issues with the board and other reasons, the progress of cricket in Zimbabwe has stagnated.

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Some of the cricketers in those Zimbabwean sides could have excelled in the IPL and here is a look at 5 such players.

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#1. Neil Johnson

The Zimbabwean all-rounder stamped his authority on the 1999 World Cup. Neil Johnson, was exceptional, both with the bat and the ball in the 1999 World Cup. He scored 367 runs at an average of 52.43 with unbeaten 132 against the tournament winners Australia and 3 half centuries against Kenya, South Africa, and Pakistan. He also picked up 12 wickets at an average of 19.42 in the 1999 World Cup.

In his ODI career which lasted for around 2 years, Johnson was a real asset for the team and scored runs at an average of 36.50 and also picked up 35 wickets.

He played most of his ODI cricket opening the batting for Zimbabwe. He was a right-arm fast medium bowler and a wicket taking option for the skipper. Johnson would have been a handy pick for any IPL franchise considering that he could score quick runs at the top of the order.

#2. Heath Streak

The former Zimbabwean skipper single handedly won games for Zimbabwe in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was primarily a fast bowler who was extremely dangerous with the new ball. In an ODI career which lasted for around 12 years, Streak picked up 239 ODI wickets at an average of 29.83 and an economy of 4.52 which is impressive considering that he bowled in the first 15 overs as well as the death overs. He is the only Zimbabwean bowler to pick up 100 plus wickets in Test cricket too.

He was a handy batsman lower down the order and often rescued and/or won matches for his team due to his batting skills. In 159 ODI innings, Streak scored 2943 runs at an average of 28.30, strike rate of 73.43 with 13 half centuries. He could play the big shots and clear the boundaries with ease.

His all-round skills could have earned him a hefty IPL contact during his playing days. He has participated as a coach in the IPL in 2018 when he earned a contact as a bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise.

#3. Andy Blignaut

Andy Blignaut is another all-rounder who could have ended with a IPL contract. He was an aggressive middle order batsman who could change the course of a match within a few overs and could bowl above 90mph. He had the ability to take the game till the end overs and could provide finishing touches to the innings.

He has the distinction of being the only Zimbabwe bowler to pick up a hat-trick in Test cricket. He made a name for himself in ODI cricket also. In 41 ODI innings, the all-rounder had an incredible strike rate of 106.28 which indeed was exceptional in the 2000s. He has 5 half centuries to his credit in ODI cricket and he had the ability to provide the finishing touches to an innings. Blignaut also has 50 ODI wickets and was a complete all-round package for the team.

All-rounders are always in high demand in IPL cricket and Blignaut too would have been an asset for any IPL team batting lower down the order and bowling out his 4 overs.

#4. Henry Olonga

Henry Olonga burst on to the international scene as a tear away fast bowler in the year 1995. He was one of the fastest bowlers in international cricket during his playing days. He could bowl consistently above 90mph in international cricket. Though he was not very economical, he picked up wickets at regular intervals and was a go to bowler for the skipper every time he needed a wicket. The memory of Henry Olonga running through the Indian tail in a group match in the 1999 World Cup will be everlasting in the minds of Indian cricket fans.

He has 58 ODI wickets to his credit at an average of 34.08 with two 5 wicket hauls and best bowling figures of 6/19. Olonga was a vital member of the Zimbabwe squad in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups when the team made it to the super six stages.

Henry Olonga could have been a handy pick for IPL considering that he was a wicket taking bowler, who could really bowl quick and accurate yorkers, especially at the death.

#5. Andy Flower

Andy Flower was indeed a great servant of Zimbabwe cricket. Apart from being an exceptional batsman he was a reliable wicket-keeper and an architect for many Zimbabwean victories. He loved batting and could bat long hours on the crease and was comfortable facing both the fast bowlers as well as spinners.

He was one of the pillars for the success and rise of Zimbabwe cricket in the 1990s. He was an exceptional player of spin bowling which led to his success in the sub-continent.

Flower averaged 51.54 in Test cricket which reflects his consistency at the top level. However, he tasted success in ODI cricket also and was a vital member batting at number 4. In ODIs, the left-handed batsman scored 6786 runs at an impressive average of 35.34 and strike rate of 74.60. He has 141 catches and has effected 32 stumpings in ODI cricket.

IPL cricket would have seen the best of Andy Flower as he would have been in great demand due to his batting and wicket keeping skills.