Thomas Benade (born 1 September 1982) is a Zimbabwean former

cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by st ...

er. He played six first-class matches between 2001 and 2004.

Biography

Benade was born in a family that originates from

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

with

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

roots. He was introduced to cricket by his father and uncles. Growing up in Mutorashanga, northern Mashonaland, Benade began his cricket journey at

Barwick School Barwick School (or simply Barwick) is an independent, preparatory, day and boarding school for boys and girls located in Concession, Zimbabwe, Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. The school was opened in 1988. Barwick School is a member of the Asso ...

in Mvurwi and later

Bryden Country School Bryden Country School (or Bryden) is an independent, preparatory, boarding and day school for boys and girls in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe. The school was founded in 1983. Bryden Country School is a member of the Association of Trust Schools ( ...

near Chegutu. His performances earned him a spot in the school's first team for two years, his best being four for 30 as a left-arm spinner, and 69 not out as a batsman. He also represented Midlands in the national primary schools cricket week. For high school, Benade moved to

Lomagundi College , location = Old Strip Road , city = Chinhoyi , province = Mashonaland West , country = Zimbabwe , coordinates = , opened = , type = Independent, boarding and day school , headmaster = Dean Seeliger , teaching_staff = 42 , grades_lab ...

where he started bowling seamers due to the team's requirement, but he continued his spin bowling which he considers his primary strength. His best performances included taking five for 40 against St. John's College and scoring 79 not out against

Prince Edward School , streetaddress = , city = Harare , country = Zimbabwe , coordinates = , type = State school, boarding and day school , established = , headmaster = Dr. Aggrippa G. Sora , gender = Boys , lower_age = 13 , upper_age = 19 ...

. His improved skills led to his selection for the Mashonaland Under-16 team, and eventually the national Under-19 team in 2001. Benade's application for the Academy in 2002 was initially missed due to an administrative error, but he was offered a place when Masakadza withdrew. At that time, he was working for his father in mining and considering going overseas. He had also played winter cricket for the Maribou Club at Mutoroshanga and a few matches for

Harare Sports Club Harare Sports Club is a sports club and the Harare Sports Club Ground is a cricket stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe. Founded in 1900 and known as Salisbury Sports Club until 1982, it is mostly used for cricket matches, and has served as the primary c ...

. His best performances include scoring 79 not out and taking five wickets in an innings. Benade credits Rory Ervine and Academy coach Dave Houghton for helping improve his batting and bowling.

References

External links

* 1982 births Living people Zimbabwean cricketers Zimbabwean people of Dutch descent CFX Academy cricketers Mashonaland cricketers Mid West Rhinos cricketers Cricketers from Harare Alumni of Lomagundi College {{Zimbabwe-cricket-bio-stub

Biography

See also

References

External links