FULL NAME: Leon James Soma BORN: At Mutare, 25 February 1982 MAJOR TEAMS: Manicaland (1999/2000), CFX Academy (2000/01). Current club side: Mutare Sports Club. KNOWN AS: Leon Soma. Nickname: Smoothy. BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat BOWLING STYLE:OCCUPATION: CFX Academy student

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 3-5 March 2000, Manicaland v Midlands, at Kwekwe Sports Club. TEST DEBUT: Still awaited ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (March 2001)

Leon Soma is a promising all-rounder from Mutare currently at the CFX Academy. He has no family background in the game, although he has two younger brothers who also play.

He first developed an interest at Hillcrest Preparatory School, initially while playing casually with friends, although he mentions former Manicaland player Ryan Barbour who coached him when he reached the school first team and helped him a great deal. "He made coaching fun; he made you want to do better and enjoy playing cricket," said Leon.

Leon has always been an all-rounder, trying to bowl as quickly as he could at junior school and batting at number four. He remembers scoring several fifties, the best of which was 57 against a touring English school team of high quality. With the ball his best was six wickets for four runs against Springvale. During his last two years he was selected for the South Eastern Districts team that played in the national primary schools cricket week.

He progressed to high school at Hillcrest College, his best performances being seven wickets for six runs against Eaglesvale School and 116 not out against Watershed, no doubt showing his usual aggression, as he has always been a powerful hitter. He batted at number four in the order throughout, and captained his teams at the various age-group levels. He did not have much success in selection for representative teams though, just playing for the Country Districts team in Form Four. That was an interrupted year for him, though, as he injured a shoulder playing rugby and was out of cricket for several weeks.

He first played club cricket for Mutare Sports Club in Form Three, winning a first-team place in Form Four. His best club performances have been 68 against Kwekwe and seven wickets against Midlands at the Kwekwe Sports Club ground. He was too modest to remind coach Dave Houghton of his success when the Academy played Midlands in the Logan Cup in the 2000/01 season, though, and was omitted from the team on the rotation system in operation!

After Form Four he left school, in 1998, and for the following two years he "did a bit of reception work, a bit of accountancy" and then applied for the CFX Academy, with encouragement from the Manicaland captain Mark Burmester.

As a batsman his favourite strokes are the cover drive and the pull, frequently lofted. He would like to improve his batting at first-class level enough to go in at number five or six. With the ball his stock delivery is the outswinger, and he can cut the ball in off the seam. He usually fields at third man or fine leg when bowling, or at midwicket or square leg at other times.

He pays tribute to the coaching of Simon Scott-Elliott at high school – "He did a lot of work on my bowling; we spent hours doing run-ups and rhythm and things like that to get my bowling right."

Cricketing heroes:"I think Tendulkar is a genius as a batsman. As a bowler I don't really have a bowling idol but I think Glenn McGrath is one of the best bowlers around."

Personal ambitions:"At the moment I want to make the A side, and I definitely want to make the national side."

Toughest opponents:"I have to say Andy Flower has given me a hard time as a bowler. When batting, I don't mind pace, but any spinner causes me problems. I can name Stephen Wright of Old Georgians who really gave me a hard time in club cricket."

Proudest achievement: "To get into the Academy in the first place."

Best friends in cricket: "The boys here [at the Academy] are like my brothers. I get on with them so well, and my team are really my best friends."

Other sports:At school, tennis, rugby, a bit of hockey. Nowadays, "occasionally tennis, but not seriously."

Other interests and hobbies: "I love fishing, but I don't get to do much these days because of training!"

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