Zimbabwe-born 22-year-old batter, Tawanda Muyeye, is all set to make his debut in The Hundred this August. The talented cricketer has been selected by the Oval Invincibles in the Men's Vitality Wildcard Draft. The Hundred, a professional franchise 100-ball cricket tournament, features eight men's and eight women's teams based in major cities across England and Wales. Organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the tournament first took place in July and August of 2021.
Tawanda Muyeye |
Earlier this year, Tawanda Muyeye extended his contract with Kent County Cricket Club, committing to the club until the end of 2025. Since joining the club before the start of the 2021 campaign, Muyeye has made his mark in all three formats of the game.
With the announcement of the Vitality Wildcard selections for the men's competition and the final round of signings for the women's competition, all eight franchises in The Hundred have now confirmed their full squads. Tawanda Muyeye, boasting an impressive career T20 strike rate of 138.80 and three 50+ scores, will join Sam Billings and Jordan Cox at the Oval for the thrilling hundred-ball tournament.
Tawanda Muyeye has set his sights on playing international cricket for England. Originally moving to the UK from Zimbabwe as an asylum seeker along with his mother, he has been granted indefinite leave to remain. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is determined to expedite Muyeye's eligibility for England and plans to lobby the UK government accordingly.
According to the Daily Mail, the ECB, in collaboration with Kent's director of cricket Paul Downton, has been working on Muyeye's case to accelerate his eligibility. Currently, Muyeye is on a five-year leave to remain period, which is set to end in February 2026. Once this period concludes, he will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave and British citizenship, making him available for England selection starting in 2027.
England's keen interest in the talented opener precedes the current season. Muyeye caught their attention when he was named Wisden's school cricketer of the year in 2019. He amassed over 1,000 runs for Eastbourne College, showcasing his skills as an attacking player. The fact that his mother, an outspoken critic of human rights violations in Zimbabwe, was granted refugee status in the UK adds another layer to Muyeye's journey.
Tawanda Muyeye is part of a group of young batters, including Surrey's Jamie Smith, who are seen as ideal candidates for the Test team. These players align with the team's strategy of exerting pressure on opposition bowling attacks through assertive stroke play. The selectors recognize Muyeye's potential and believe he can contribute significantly to England's future success.
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