A BLACK South African fast bowler who claims he was forced to leave the country almost five years ago to realise his dream of playing international cricket is eagerly counting the days until he is eligible to play for England.
Talented Port Alfred-schooled quickie Siphe Mzaidume – who will qualify for his adopted country in six months time – yesterday told how a lack of opportunity for black cricketers forced him overseas.
“It is ironic that I had to leave in those circumstances considering that the system is meant to favour black players,” he said from Australia.
Mzaidume, who is getting rave reviews playing top class cricket Down Under during the English off season, said the system was failing black players and many had given up their dream of playing for South Africa.
“The problem is that the cricket fraternity makes people think that there is a pathway for black cricketers but speaking purely from my own experience I can tell you that cricket is still considered a white man’s sport in South Africa.”
Mzaidume said when he left South Africa in 2009 he was not the only black cricketer suffering a lack of opportunity:
“There were loads around me but they gave up and are sitting at home doing nothing ... hopeless and wishing they had made the move with me.”
Mzaidume said he is delighted to “have been able to get myself in a position where I can represent my adopted country ... that, for me, is a victory itself because I could never believe it could happen when I first left.”
He said he had not heard from Cricket South Africa since he left, but would not change his mind if they called asking him to play for them. “England is the country that I love and has given me everything I have now. I want to give back to English cricket for affording me opportunities to realise my true potential.”
He said he had been in talks with people involved in the English national team who were “excited and committed” to helping him make it. “It’s so surreal actually but I am not naive – I know I have to put in strong performances in county cricket to be considered – my selection won’t be handed to me. I am going to have to earn that cap and if I carry on playing well in the county championship the call-up will come.”
He said Kevin “KP” Pietersen – who also left South Africa for England – had been an “unbelievable influence” on his fledgling career.
“He basically tells me to back myself all the time and not apologise for who I am. I think KP had it easier than me though because he came to England with a British passport from his mom while I had nothing, I had to earn mine.”
Mzaidume said leaving home was a “tough initiation”.
“People who see it as a way of bailing have probably never left their native countries to experience the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture, starting a new life, getting locals to trust you enough (and) not to only see you as a another foreigner who is just there to take the place of a home grown boy.”
The talented speedster cut his teeth playing “test” cricket in the streets with younger brothers Viwe and Aviwe for hours everyday – with them representing South Africa and him England.
“I passionately wanted to play for South Africa then.”
Growing up he played Eastern Province junior cricket before making the Border U19 team – and the academy which produced Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher. “I found myself stuck and not able to progress past the academy even though my performances were worthy of a look-in at senior provincial cricket. I was continuously ignored and that is when I decided I had to look beyond my native country to realise my full potential.”
However, Greg Hayes, the development doyen who was instrumental in discovering Makhaya Ntini, said: “I’m flummoxed to hear there are no opportunities for black guys. If you’re good enough, there are plenty of opportunities.”
But the awkward truth is that only five black Africans have played test cricket for South Africa, and none for the past three years. Whether Mzaidume would have been the sixth is debatable, and will remain so unless he wears an England cap one day.
— Additional reporting by Telford Vice
Black EC bowler’s dream – to play test cricket for England
Talented Port Alfred-schooled quickie Siphe Mzaidume – who will qualify for his adopted country in six months time – yesterday told how a lack of opportunity for black cricketers forced him overseas.
“It is ironic that I had to leave in those circumstances considering that the system is meant to favour black players,” he said from Australia.
Mzaidume, who is getting rave reviews playing top class cricket Down Under during the English off season, said the system was failing black players and many had given up their dream of playing for South Africa.
“The problem is that the cricket fraternity makes people think that there is a pathway for black cricketers but speaking purely from my own experience I can tell you that cricket is still considered a white man’s sport in South Africa.”
Mzaidume said when he left South Africa in 2009 he was not the only black cricketer suffering a lack of opportunity:
“There were loads around me but they gave up and are sitting at home doing nothing ... hopeless and wishing they had made the move with me.”
Mzaidume said he is delighted to “have been able to get myself in a position where I can represent my adopted country ... that, for me, is a victory itself because I could never believe it could happen when I first left.”
He said he had not heard from Cricket South Africa since he left, but would not change his mind if they called asking him to play for them. “England is the country that I love and has given me everything I have now. I want to give back to English cricket for affording me opportunities to realise my true potential.”
He said he had been in talks with people involved in the English national team who were “excited and committed” to helping him make it. “It’s so surreal actually but I am not naive – I know I have to put in strong performances in county cricket to be considered – my selection won’t be handed to me. I am going to have to earn that cap and if I carry on playing well in the county championship the call-up will come.”
He said Kevin “KP” Pietersen – who also left South Africa for England – had been an “unbelievable influence” on his fledgling career.
“He basically tells me to back myself all the time and not apologise for who I am. I think KP had it easier than me though because he came to England with a British passport from his mom while I had nothing, I had to earn mine.”
Mzaidume said leaving home was a “tough initiation”.
“People who see it as a way of bailing have probably never left their native countries to experience the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture, starting a new life, getting locals to trust you enough (and) not to only see you as a another foreigner who is just there to take the place of a home grown boy.”
The talented speedster cut his teeth playing “test” cricket in the streets with younger brothers Viwe and Aviwe for hours everyday – with them representing South Africa and him England.
“I passionately wanted to play for South Africa then.”
Growing up he played Eastern Province junior cricket before making the Border U19 team – and the academy which produced Makhaya Ntini and Mark Boucher. “I found myself stuck and not able to progress past the academy even though my performances were worthy of a look-in at senior provincial cricket. I was continuously ignored and that is when I decided I had to look beyond my native country to realise my full potential.”
However, Greg Hayes, the development doyen who was instrumental in discovering Makhaya Ntini, said: “I’m flummoxed to hear there are no opportunities for black guys. If you’re good enough, there are plenty of opportunities.”
But the awkward truth is that only five black Africans have played test cricket for South Africa, and none for the past three years. Whether Mzaidume would have been the sixth is debatable, and will remain so unless he wears an England cap one day.
— Additional reporting by Telford Vice
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