Ray Price

Ray Price Biography

Raymond William Price is a former international cricketer from Zimbabwe who was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia.

He served Zimbabwean cricket in the years of 1999 to 2013 and his role in the team was as a bowler who bowled left-arm orthodox spin.

Background

Price had started playing cricket when he was a kid and he loved bowling fast, but after getting selected in school team, he switched to spin bowling and got better and better.

In 1995, he made his first class debut as an amateur for Mashonaland County Districts team and later, in 1999, he played his first official domestic game for Zimbabwean domestic cricket team, Midlands.

Debut

Price was named in the international side in 1999, when Zimbabwe’s first choice spinners such as Paul Strang, Adam Huckle and Andy Whittall were suffering from injuries and form crisis.

He made his debut on 4 December 1999 against Sri Lanka in the third Test match of the series.

In his debut match, he bowled 8 overs with an economy of 2.75 but didn't get any wicket.

After his debut, he didn't get selected regularly in the team because of his lukewarm performances.

It was not until 2001 when he took his first 5 wickets haul against South Africa and also gave some other splendid performances.

Rise to Glory

The years of 2001 and 2002 were proved to be the turning point for Price. He took consecutive 5 wicket hauls against South Africa and India and also took 7 wickets against Bangladesh at Harare.

He had established himself in the Test side after his magnificent season of 2001-02. In 2003, he took 6 wickets for 121 against Australia at Sydney.

Back home, against West Indies, he pulverized their batting line-up twice, taking 6–73 and 4–88 in the first Test at Harare and then again in Bulawayo, taking 5–119 and 4–36.

In 2007, he returned to the international cricket after his exile and had risen to the 3rd spot in the ICC rankings, taking 45 wickets in just 27 matches.

Low Points

Price did not play for Zimbabwe between the years of 2004 and 2007 as he got himself ostracised for joining the player rebellion led by Heath Streak during the period when Zimbabwean cricket was being politicised.

Club Career

Price signed a contract with Worcestershire county club during his exile from international cricket and played for the club till 2007.

He also played an IPL match in 2011 for Mumbai Indians and became only the second Zimbabwean player to play in the league.

In his sole IPL game, he bowled 3 overs with an economy of 11 and remained wicket-less.

Ray's Record in Numbers

Price has got some pretty good stats in his name. He has 80 wickets in 22 Tests at an average of 36.06. In ODIs he claimed 100 wickets, playing 102 games.

He also has 13 T20 wickets in his name in 16 matches.

In first-class cricket, he took 416 wickets at an average of 29.17 in 118 games. He also has a century and 11 half centuries in first-class cricket.

Retirement

Price announced his retirement from international cricket on 14 March 2013 in the mid of the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

He said,"I was going to wait until my contract expired to call it a day but, yes, I've decided to retire from international cricket."

Price still plays for Mashonaland Eagles, a Zimbabwean cricket franchises.