HARARE - Mashonaland Eagles hard-hitting batsman Cephas Zhuwao is mooting returning to England as he continues to be snubbed by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) selectors for national duty.
The left-handed batsman was instrumental in the Eagles’ triumph at the domestic Twenty20 tournament held in Bulawayo last month after plundering 17 runs in the decisive super over against Mountaineers.
Despite his generally good form and heroics, Zhuwao was excluded from the Zimbabwe squad which was humiliated by Afghanistan at the ongoing ICC WT20 finals in India.
With the frustration of not getting recognition in the format that suits him best, Zhuwao has decided to relocate to the UK.
He however, insists that his sojourn to England is intended to help him develop his game.
“I’m currently sorting out my papers so that I get back to play cricket in the UK and this time I will be going for good,” Zhuwao told the Daily News yesterday.
“Not really (frustrated) but I just want new challenges. I will be heading to Manchester and during the off-season I will go and play in Australia.”
The left-arm spinner said the door remains open for a national team call-up should the selectors and the technical team feel he still has got something to offer.
“If they want me to come back and play, I will come back without hesitation. Playing for my country remains a priority,” he said.
“I have great respect for our selection panel and am very much cognisant of the fact that not everyone can make it into the team at any given time so I believe they were a lot of good player ahead of me and believe my chance will come.”
Zhuwao, known by the moniker “Big Bully” in local cricket circles, has only represented Zimbabwe in five T20 internationals since making his debut against Canada in 2008.
His last appearance for the national team in the shortest format of the game came way back in 2011 against Pakistan.
Last year, the 31-year-old spent the greater part playing in England’s Division A League for Budleigh Salteron in the Devon Cricket League.
His best performance for the side was when he scored an unbeaten 159 against Bideford from just 103 deliveries.
Zhuwao hit 12 boundaries and 14 maximums in the process as he sent bowlers all over the park.