Beyond the boundary: Graeme Cremer’s journey of love, sacrifice and a triumphant return to Zim cricket

NewsSportsBy Kuda MatizanadzoHarare: Zimbabwe cricket national team revived hopes and put a smile on a wailing nation after a ruthless display in the T20 world cup group stages saw them top group B, upsetting tournament favorites Australia and hosts Sri Lanka.It was a spirited show with both bat and ball as the Chevrons dismantled every opponent in their path, to book their place in the super 8 of the ongoing tournament being co- hosted by Sri Lanka ana India.From the first ball, the Chevrons showed intent. Beating Oman comprehensively, followed by a victory over the mighty Aussies; the Chevrons put themselves into a strong position for qualification into the super 8.Up next was Ireland, a dodgy team who have given the Chevrons heartbreaking moments in recent times.The whole nation waited in confident expectation for the boys to seal their place in the next round. Ireland needed the victory the most to keep their hopes of proceeding to the next round alive.

It was do or die!Mother nature however could not have none of it as she made sure Zimbabwe would sail through to the super 8 without a ball bowled as the match was washed out due to incessant rains, earning the Chevrons a precious point that would see them through to next week’s super 8.It is the first time the Chevrons have gone this far, and also the first time for the mighty Aussies to ‘bowl’ out in the opening round of the world cup tournaments.What a remarkable feat by the Chevrons!But buried in that success is an untold story of love and sacrifice by one Zimbabwean bowler, Graeme Cremer.At his peak, Cremer was Zimbabwe’s top spin bowler and at one time rated the world’s number one bowler.The former captain who had initially quit the game in 2013 due to pay disputes with Zimbabwe cricket to persue proffessional golf returned to the game in 2015.During that period, he put in stellar perfomances that would see him being appointed the team captain.However life took a turn in 2018, at the height of a new Zimbabwe under the leadership of president ED Mnangagwa.It was a season of doubts.A new president? After more than forty years of the late former president RG Mugabe; anyone would be excused to have skeptions.After the Chevrons failed to qualify for the 2019 world cup edition, Cremer was stripped of the captaincy.As fate would have it, Cremer’s other half bagged a job as a pilot at Emirates airways.But there was catchy; Merna had to relocate to Dubai.This was catch 20-20 for the Cremer household; what to do now?Graeme had a running contract with a local franchise but then again the Mrs had just bagged a lucrative offer too sweet to resist from one of thel world’s best airlines.What to do? In this partriachal world where men almost always prioritise themselves ahead of their partners, Cremer chose a different route.His wife had just bagged a ‘once on a life’ opportunity and had a chance to announce herself to the world as one of the few pilots in the world.Graeme quit cricket, relocated to Dubai to support his wife’s career leaving the game that had given him all; ‘probably his most beloved wife Merna’ too.It must have been one, if not the most mind boggling decision he had to make in his life; aside the captain’s review in T20s ofcourse.In the series Game of Thrones, Maester Aemon asked Jon Snow a question which he never saw coming.“Tell me, do you know why mennof the Night’s watch take no wives and father no children?

It’s so they will not love. Love is the death of duty” said Maester Aemon.The reasoning behind this was if one fell in love they will be compromised and make decisions based on love not their duty.As the series would reveal later, Jon Snow fell in love with a wilding, a girl who told him straight up ‘You kmow nosing Jon Snow’.At the end of the series, the wildlings and Jon Snow’s team had become one team fighting the white walkers together when winter came.Graeme Cremer’s story is an incrideble one.He ‘left duty’ that is (playing for the Chevrons) to support his wife in persuit of love.It’s not everyday that a man takes this path, but Graeme chose his partner and their young family.Where Maester Aemon said love is the death of duty, Graeme proved that indeed love is the birth of duty.When you love, you are duty bound to cross oceans for the love and Graeme did just that.Fast forward to 2026, Graeme is back in the Chevrons team and he announced his return with an inspired display against Sri Lanka in the last match; claiming a wicket and getting three catches.As they head into the super 8, the Chevrons won’t be short of experience. Graeme spinning the Chevrons to glory, Brandon Taylor though ruled out due to injury staying behind to give moral support to the boys and the innevitable Sikandar Raza leading the boys, one can only hope for an unforgettable tournament from the lads.Can they go all the way?; ofcourse this boys have already punched above their weight and definitely deserve their day in the sun.#Go Chevrons Go!#ZIMBHO!Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsSportsBy Kuda MatizanadzoHarare: Zimbabwe cricket national team revived hopes and put a smile on a wailing nation after a ruthless display in the T20 world cup group stages saw them top group B, upsetting tournament favorites Australia and hosts Sri Lanka.It was a spirited show with both bat and ball as the Chevrons dismantled every opponent in their path, to book their place in the super 8 of the ongoing tournament being co- hosted by Sri Lanka ana India.From the first ball, the Chevrons showed intent.

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Graeme spinning the Chevrons to glory, Brandon Taylor though ruled out due to injury staying behind to give moral support to the boys and the innevitable Sikandar Raza leading the boys, one can only hope for an unforgettable tournament from the lads.Can they go all the way?; ofcourse this boys have already punched above their weight and definitely deserve their day in the sun.#Go Chevrons Go!#ZIMBHO! Harare: Zimbabwe cricket national team revived hopes and put a smile on a wailing nation after a ruthless display in the T20 world cup group stages saw them top group B, upsetting tournament favorites Australia and hosts Sri Lanka. It was a spirited show with both bat and ball as the Chevrons dismantled every opponent in their path, to book their place in the super 8 of the ongoing tournament being co- hosted by Sri Lanka ana India.From the first ball, the Chevrons showed intent.

Beating Oman comprehensively, followed by a victory over the mighty Aussies; the Chevrons put themselves into a strong position for qualification into the super 8. Up next was Ireland, a dodgy team who have given the Chevrons heartbreaking moments in recent times.The whole nation waited in confident expectation for the boys to seal their place in the next round. It was do or die!Mother nature however could not have none of it as she made sure Zimbabwe would sail through to the super 8 without a ball bowled as the match was washed out due to incessant rains, earning the Chevrons a precious point that would see them through to next week’s super 8.

It is the first time the Chevrons have gone this far, and also the first time for the mighty Aussies to ‘bowl’ out in the opening round of the world cup tournaments.What a remarkable feat by the Chevrons!But buried in that success is an untold story of love and sacrifice by one Zimbabwean bowler, Graeme Cremer.At his peak, Cremer was Zimbabwe’s top spin bowler and at one time rated the world’s number one bowler. The former captain who had initially quit the game in 2013 due to pay disputes with Zimbabwe cricket to persue proffessional golf returned to the game in 2015.During that period, he put in stellar perfomances that would see him being appointed the team captain.However life took a turn in 2018, at the height of a new Zimbabwe under the leadership of president ED Mnangagwa.It was a season of doubts.A new president?

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