Cricketer turned curator turned cricketer again

He might have returned to the land of his birth a few months ago but Greg Lambs real homecoming was at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday....

He might have returned to the land of his birth a few months ago but Greg Lambs real homecoming was at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

While the spotlight was on Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza after the famous victory over India,Lambs efforts with the ball had kept India on a tight leash. With figures of 3 for 45,including scalps of the openers,the part-time off-spinner was the leading architect with the ball.

While Lamb has been more than helpful with the ball in his eight ODIs so far,playing an international match on his home ground was extra special. Its quite something,isnt it? asks Lamb,still in disbelief. Born and raised in Kiroi,a three-hour drive from Harare,Lamb caught the cricket bug at Rydings School. As a child,I loved watching Aravinda de Sliva bat. That made me want to become a batsman. Peter and Gary Kirsten were my other childhood heroes.

While still in his teens,Lamb was fast-tracked into the Mashonaland 8211; Harares domestic team 8211; to play first-class cricket in Zimbabwe. But as the political scenario changed and his farmland was invaded,Lamb was forced to flee his country in search of refuge.

I went to England,joined Hampshire in 2004 and played county cricket. I performed well but the life of a first-class cricketer in England is tough, he says. The constant pressure sapped out my love for the game. By the end of 2008,my contract wasnt renewed. I didnt know what to do.

On the greens

A CHANCE meeting with a childhood friend then took him down a rather different path. I became a groundsman. My friend and I arranged for the machinery to tend to seven cricket grounds in England,which also included being the pitch curator.

After working as a groundsman for more than a year,Lamb decided to return home. I wanted to come back and help the youngsters as a coach at local clubs. Instead,I got a call from Mashonaland Eagles to play for them.

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With a stellar season in the Logan Cup for his side,Lamb became the highest scorer in domestic T20s. In January,just a couple of months after his return,Lamb received a call: I was told that I was picked for the national team and was going on Zimbabwes tour of the West Indies. When you are pushing 30,thats the last thing on your mind.

Though the 29-year-old hasnt really clicked with the bat 8211; his top score is 27 8211; his contribution on the field has seen him cement his place in the side. But like every other Zimbabwean 8211; player or faithful fan 8211; Test cricket remains his ultimate ambition. I have been extremely fortunate for the way things have turned out in my life. But if I yearn for one more thing,it would be to play Test cricket for Zimbabwe.