Interview: Tawanda Muyeye

Tawanda Muyeye is a name you might have read on various social platforms in the past couple of years. The Zimbabwe-born batsman burst onto the scene in 2019 after racking up over 1,100 runs, including two centuries and one double-century, and hundreds of thousands of views after a 48-second video montage of his finest shots from the season drove attention worldwide.

Now signed as a professional for Kent CCC, and one county season under his belt, the wristy right hand batsman is heading into the 2022 campaign with clear mind and one objective: have fun. Bowlers beware We caught up with the 21-year-old to learn about his journey in cricket so far…

Let’s start right at the beginning Tawanda, how were you introduced to the beautiful game?

It was my brother. My brother is 6 years older than me so he kind of introduced cricket to me by playing it in the garden, I think I was four or five. I used to throw balls at him for hours and hours - I wouldn’t bat some days and he would just bat all day, so that’s how it all started for me. I just loved being outside with my brother and all we did was just play cricket - we didn’t play many other sports like rugby or football, it was always cricket all day, every day.

We’d play mini cricket. You know roll-on on deodorant? We used to break those and get the ball out, then we’d use mini cricket bats and play inside.

What a story. Do you think that backyard cricket has helped shape your style of batting?

Definitely. I think, as my style is different to typical English batsmen, playing with my brother for fun probably developed my style. But I also think credit goes to my coaches who didn’t try to change me to be more traditional, as I think I am quite bottom-handed and quite different, so I think a lot of the coaches were good with not changing me an making me into a more traditional batsman.

From boarding school in Zimbabwe to college cricket in England. How did that story play out?

It’s a funny story. I didn’t get picked for the [national] U19’s squad in Zim, and I was 16 at the time. One of my teammates from the U19 World Cup got offered a scholarship to Eastbourne College and he turned it down because he wanted to stay with his girlfriend. So I wrote Rob Ferley (Eastbourne College’s Director of Cricket) an email, knowing there may be a chance of a free spot, and he asked me to come over to trial for the scholarship, which I did at 17 years old and was very lucky to receive the scholarship. For them to take a punt on me was quite cool, and I’m blessed.

I think what helped me was in the email I wrote to Rob, I’d written the scores I had made and I think I put two duck’s in. I’d scored like three hundred’s, but because I’d put my two duck’s in, Rob said it showed honesty and that was the main reason why I wanted me to come. It just goes to show the importance of honesty and integrity - which my parents have always taught me.

How did you adapt to England and the English game?

I think at school I didn’t find it that difficult. I guess we didn’t use a Dukes ball at school so it didn’t do as much, but then I came into professional cricket and it was tough for me. I think my journey is quite interesting as I didn’t play much age-group cricket because of my situation as my parents are refugees so I hadn’t been granted the status to play cricket which meant I didn’t ever play county age group stuff - I only played a few non-competitive friendlies with Sussex.

So that was in 2020 where I didn’t play any competitive cricket, and then to go straight into the professional game was quite a shock to my system. I was so out of my depth to start with. I think the coaches thought I had the talent, but I didn’t know how to go about my business I guess. Which is where this winter has been so good for me because now I understand how to go out opening the innings or bang in the middle order, so I kind of know the gameplay, I know what the ball does and what the pitches do now. So I think adapting was pretty tough, but now hopefully with all the hard work in the winter I’m better prepared for this year.

In 2019, you had an incredible year in Schools cricket that was perfectly encapsulated in a video montage clip that did the rounds on social…how did it the feel to win the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year Award?

It was quite cool actually. It came during lockdown when I got told. Blessed again that at school they film the games now, so I don’t really know where I’d be if that clip didn’t get shared around.

The feeling [of winning the award] was quite nice. But I think for me, when people bring that up I’m like “no don’t” because I’ve kind of moved on. I don’t want to be known as the guy who was good at school and broke records because I want to make it in the professional game and move on from that. But I do think that was a good stepping stone for me.

Now you’ve signed a pro contract with Kent - how did it feel when you found out?

I couldn’t even cry because I was just so overcome with emotion. It was weird because, and I don’t think I’ve ever told this story, but my mum used to always come over to England [from Zimbabwe] to visit her sister who lived in Kent, and my auntie knew I liked cricket so she always used to talk about Kent Cricket - and I used to say “ah hopefully one day I’ll play for Kent”…and now here I am! So it’s pretty cool I get to live my dreams and just try to be the best person and cricketer I can be every day.

You’re one of the youngest players in the Kent changing room, and you’re sharing it with one of the oldest County cricketer’s in the game in Darren Stevens. How is it sharing the room with him?

Yeah sharing the changing room with him is a bit strange because he’s literally the same age as my mum! But he’s been really good, like a father figure to us who’s very knowledgable and looks after us youngsters to be fair. He’s probably the greatest County Championship cricketer to have lived, and I think for as long as we have got him, especially for me as a young player, I’ve got to learn as much as possible. He’s a middle order batsman, and sometimes I bet in the middle order, so just to be able to learn from him is pretty cool.

Do you ever try to introduce him to some of your music?

Darren is normally the chief DJ in the dressing room. I haven’t quite got him into new music. I’ve got our physio into a bit of African music which he quite likes.

It’s always interesting to hear what professional cricketers do in the changing during a rain delay. What’s popular at Kent when play has stopped?

Some of the lads play cards. Billings, Cox, Leaning and Podmore - they’re the gamers so they play Call of Duty sometimes. Some people listen to music, some are on TikTok (that’s pretty big at the moment), some sleep, whilst I usually read - that’s probably my past time in the changing room. But it depends on the day to be honest, sometimes I’ll sleep or listen to music.

What type of literature are you into?

I’m more into autobiographies and real stories. I like to read some books that I can kind of relate to, so the other day I finished reading ‘Athletes Are Brands Too’ which explains how your time as an athlete is so limited that you need to make hay whilst the sun shines which is a good read. Then I’m going to read ‘Mastery’ by Rob Green soon which I’m looking forward to, and I’m currently half way through Sonny Bill-Williams’ autobiography as well.

A nice variety then! Looking ahead to the new season then, how are you feeling ahead of it? Are you setting yourself targets or goals?

I’m feeling good about this year. I’ve had a good winter to prepare and I’m in a good place with life. I think a lot of things were happening last year, and there was a lot to get my head around as I turned professional. But this year I haven’t set any goals, I just want to have fun because last year I didn’t have any fun and I put too much pressure on myself so this time around I’m just going to have as much fun as possible, be the best teammate I can be and just enjoy the ride - instead of focusing on individual goals. It’s all about fun this year.

If there’s one thing to take from this conversation, it’s that Tawanda Muyeye is a name to remember. A mighty young man who will no doubt taste success in the near future. Bowlers, beware.