90s Kids Look Away

To say its an end of an Era will do no justice to what it has been a tough period for most if not all cricket loving fans around the world. It is well known that every beginning has got its end but it looks like most of us got caught off-guard.

It all started two weeks ago when Dale Steyn decided to call time on his Test career which spun more than 15 years. Before we even got over that, Hashim Amla also decided to call time on his International career. These two legends made their Test debut in 2004 and it was fitting for them that they called time on their illustrious careers the very same month. Steyn his career has been hampered by a shoulder injury and on the other hand Amla has been out of form for the past 2 years. But this will not take away the fact that they are true legends of the game and world cricket is poorer without them.

Growing up my childhood hero was Tatenda Taibu not because he was a good player but most importantly he was representing a certain section of the Black community which never had the opportunity to be exposed to cricket facilities. His premature retirement was tough for me to take but he truly made a mark in the Zimbabwean cricketing structures as he made more black kids to play cricket.

The most exciting part for me was the time when South Africa toured Zimbabwe and being fortunate enough to see my heroes from both countries play at Harare Sports Club. Dale Steyn steaming in from the Golf Course end and sharing the new ball with Makhaya Ntini was something i will be forever remember. On the other hand seeing Tatenda Taibu fearlessly pulling Shaun Pollock for consecutive boundaries. It was the African derby every cricket loving kid will dream to watch live given the opportunity.

Cricket being known as the gentleman’s game and seeing how the likes of Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, Tatenda Taibu conducted themselves on and off the field has helped most of us 90s kids to follow not only cricket but seeing how we shoud conduct ourselves in life despite all the daily challenges. It is sad we won’t be seeing these legends playing cricket on International level again but ask all the 90s kids they will tell you what an honor it was to see these legends play cricket during their prime.