Published: Jul 07, 2016, 07:52 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 07, 2017, 03:09 PM (IST)
Born July 7, 1979, Douglas Tafadzwa Hondo is a Zimbabwean cricketer, primarily a right-arm fast bowler who was well capable to contribute with the bat lower-down the order. He had the tendency to swing the ball both the ways off the pitch, a quality which stood him out from others. On his 37th birthday, Suraj Choudhari pens down 13 lesser-known facts about the bowler who was widely reckoned for his hair-style and whose career was hampered by injuries. Also Read: MS Dhoni’s 10 stunning stats that boggle the mind
1. Other sports: Like many other cricketers, Douglas too had a passion for sports other than cricket. He played rugby in school and also tried his hand at basketball before turning his focus on cricket.
2. Zimbabwe ‘A’ Coach: Post-retirement, Hondo showed keen interest in coaching and passed his knowledge on cricket through training the budding talents. He was appointed as the head coach for Shepherd Neameleague side Upminster CC. He is now the coach of the Zimbabwe ‘A’ side. He has also rendered his services as a coach to Midwest Rhinos. Also Read: MS Dhoni’s 11 unforgettable finishes in ODIs
3. Dreadlocks: Hondo was a stylish cricketer and was widely reckoned for his dreadlocks which also attracted a lot of controversy later in his career.
4. Music: Hondo has a keen passion for music and seems to be addicted towards it. He was once quoted in a report from ESPNCricinfo as saying, “My music. I’ve got everything – every kind of music, I’ve got it.”
5. Test debut: Despite poor form, Hondo received a national call for the tour of South Africa in 2001. He bowled well in the nets and impressed everyone with his pace and swings. The injury to Brighton Watambwa made way for Hondo and he donned the national whites for the first time on September 7, 2001.
6. Inglorious 199: Hondo certainly did n0t have a great time with the ball in his debut Test but scalped the prized wicket of Gary Kirsten, who made a fine 220. In the second innings, Zimbabwe were following on and Hondo walked in at 11and played a dogged innings. However, after confronting 58 deliveries and displaying rock-solid determination, Hondo fell for six when his partner Andy Flower was still batting at 199. Zimbabwe were bundled up for 391 and Flower remained unbeaten on 199.
7. Cricket heroes: Hondo admired Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, West Indian greats Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh from the cricket fraternity.
8. Marcus Trescothick and India: For Hondo Marcus Trescothick and Indians were the toughest opponents to bowl to. He said the Indians look to attack as a result of which he termed the Indian batsmen as the most difficult to bowl at.
9. Ran through the Indians: Hondo ripped through the Indian batting line-up in the third game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2002. India were five down for a score of 87 inside 14 overs where Hondo scalped four wickets but lost the battle by 14 runs as his side failed to chase down the set target. Hondo also recalls this as the ‘Proudest achievement’.
10. Ganguly as his bunny: In eight encounters between Hondo and Sourav Ganguly, the bowler has got the better of Indian southpaw on three occasions. He also caught Ganguly on the bowling of Sean Ervine once.
11. Impressive views about cricket: Like many other pundits of the game, Hondo too believes that cricket has become more batting friendly. He once said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, “Cricket these days is batsman-friendly. Bowlers don’t have anything going for us. But there’s nothing I’d change.”
12. Injuries: Hondo could have created wonders but it was not to be as his career was hindered due to injuries. Back and hamstring injuries did not let Hondo achieve fruitful dividends. To add to his woes, his intercostals muscles and missing toenails were also a huge matter for concern.
13. Called it a day for a weird reason: As per the reports, Hondo had a fancy hairstyle; a look which he had adopted since his debut in international cricket. However, he called it a day when he along with some other cricketers was asked to shave the dreadlocks. Hondo preferred to quit cricket and move to UK.
(Suraj Choudhari, an avid cricket follower who plays the sport at club level, is a staffer with CricLife)
