A tea factory behind Rwanda cricket sensation Manishimwe's success
courtesy:-theflyslip.online
For Oscar Manishimwe, the opening batsman of Rwanda who created waves at the recent Kenya Quadrangular T20 series by becoming only the ninth player to score four consecutive half-centuries in T20 Internationals, taking up cricket would have been a distant dream.
He was born in Rwanda that has very little history in the sport even compared to neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania. That apart, he was brought up in Kinihara, which is about 68 kilometres from the national capital, Kigali.
But the 21-year-old, who joined the likes of Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle and Sikandar Raza in an exclusive group with his string of fifties, had the advantage of being in the vicinity of Sorwathe Tea Factory.
“I got inspired by how cricket is played and I also got support from Sorwathe Tea Factory. I grew up there. There was a community development team, of which I was a part, getting support from the Sorwathe Tea Factory,” said Manishimwe to www.theflyslip.online from Kenya where he was playing a four-nation tournament.
“I started cricket when I was 15 years old, made my debut in 2022. I scored four fifties [in the Kenya Quadrangular], I am very happy for that and it is a huge achievement for me and the country as well.”
He aggregated 401 runs in eight innings at an average of 66.83 and a strike rate of 135.02, with a highest of 93.
The opener scored 59 against Malawi on June 28, 63 against Kenya on June 29, 70 against Malawi on July 2, 79 not out against Kenya on July 3 in the Kenya Quadrangular Cup played in Nairobi.
Manishimwe joined New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, West Indies’ Chris Gayle, South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks, Namibia’s Craig Williams, Canada’s Rayyan Pathan, France’s Gustav Mckeon, Japan’s Sabaorish Ravichandran, as the batsmen to get four successive half-centuries in T20 Internationals.
“They (Sorwathe) were coaching us. They were providing us with everything, accommodation, and coach, especially for the kids,” added Manishimwe, who is the first-generation cricket learner in his family.
Manishimwe’s school was close to the factory and he still goes to practice at the school nets when home.
The right-handed batsman wants to pursue cricket professionally.
“Of course, I want to make it like my job, want to be a professional and play cricket for a living. The ones who make it big, get a chance to make it a profession in Rwanda.”
He was focussed on batting right from a very young age.
“I grew up as a wicketkeeper and a batter but I was focused on batting only.”
Rwanda team manager Jackson was effusive in praise of the youngster.
“He has been performing and giving a good foundation as an opener. It is something big for us and we appreciate the effort he is making.”
courtesy:-theflyslip.online