da doce： One of the more difficult tasks a cricket writer embarks on is thewriting of an obituary
Anand Vasu12-Jun-2001One of the more difficult tasks a cricket writer embarks on is thewriting of an obituary. It is with a touch of sadness that one recordsthe passing of Trevor Nyasha Madondo, aged just 24 years. A talentedZimbabwean middle order batsman, Madondo was one of the most promisingblack cricketers in Zimbabwe when he succumbed to malaria at theParirenyatwa Hospital in Harare on June 11.When Zimbabwe came to India in late 2000, they arrived with high hopesfor Madondo. In the first warm up game that was played against theNational Cricket Academy at Indore, Madondo came good with the bat. Abatsman who favoured the classical approach to the game, Madondonotched up a quick 28 (34 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) in the first inningsbatting at number six. Tackling the spinners well, Madondo showed thathe was capable of adapting to Indian conditions and using his feetwell. In the second innings of the same game, skipper Guy Whittallthought it fit to promote Madondo, sending him in at number three.With two wickets falling in a hurry, Madondo was forced toconsolidate. Settling in well, driving through the offside withaplomb, Madondo compiled 65 (138 minutes, 7 fours) and put on 122 withAndy Flower.But that was Madondo’s best effort on tour. The second tour matchyielded scores of 26 and 17. The tour match however, showed anotherside of Madondo. In the second innings, Andy Flower took a breakbehind the stumps and Madondo donned the gloves. Tidy behind thestumps, Madondo made his contribution to a Zimbabwean victory.Not picked to play either of the two Tests, Madondo had to be contentwatching from the sidelines.In the one-day series however, Madondo was picked to play both thefourth and fifth matches. The big moment for the youngster came whenhe top scored in the final one-dayer at Rajkot. Making a 70-ball 71(10 fours) at the top of the order, Madondo gave Zimbabwe a fightingchance of chasing a mammoth Indian total of 302.In 13 limited overs games, Madondo’s top score was 71. In all, Madondoplayed only three Tests, and made a highest score of 74 not outagainst New Zealand at Wellington in December last year. Sadly, thatwas the last Test innings Madondo played.The cricket world is shocked by the passing of a talented cricketer soyoung. Perhaps a death of someone so young causes more grief than thedeath of someone in advanced years. In conversation, Madondo cameacross as an enthusiastic, cheerful young cricketer.A memorial service was held in Harare on Monday and he was buried thenext day.