FULL NAME: Patrick Kudzayi Gada
BORN: 5 May 1978, at Harare
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (1998/99), Manicaland (1999/2000- )
KNOWN AS: Patrick/Paddy Gada. Nickname: `Patriotick' – "for my great love of My country."
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Medium Pace/Off Spin
OCCUPATION: Professional cricketer

FIRST-CLASS DEBUT: CFX Academy v Australian Cricket Academy, at Alexandra Sports Club, 27-29 March 1999
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaited

BIOGRAPHY (updated March 2001)

Patrick Gada, Academy student in 1999, is one of the most promising young black batsmen in Zimbabwe. Some rate him higher than Trevor Madondo, perhaps not so much by way of ability, but more through his attitude and self-discipline. He is a pleasant and quietly-spoken young man who deserves to go far in the game.

Like most black players at the present, Patrick has no family background in cricket, although his family has always been very enthusiastic about soccer. His interest in cricket began at Chengu Primary School in Highfield, a high-density suburb of Harare, and he well remembers the times when Dave Houghton used to come and coach. Later on Lazarus Zizhou and Dave Levy took over, and both had much to do with developing Patrick's interests and skills. Patrick has always been first and foremost a batsman, but he has kept up his medium-paced bowling and useful off-spin as well.

His first match, as far as he remembers, took place when he was about ten years of age. Once he scored 125 in a thirty-over game, when he was captaining his team, and won the Willards Trophy for his school. He took part in the national primary schools cricket week, captaining the Harare South team and being selected for the national B team.

He progressed to Prince Edward High School, having been offered a place there by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union because of his cricketing potential. He had also been offered a place at Chinhoyi High School, but preferred Prince Edward mainly because of the better sporting opportunities it provided. He was immediately appointed as captain of the Under-13 team and progressed up the school year by year. In Form Two he scored a century against CBC (Christian Brothers College in Bulawayo), and remembers his best scores when he reached the first team as being 90 against St John's and 78 against Eaglesvale, batting at number four. He used to bowl regularly as well, opening the bowling at times and taking useful wickets, with seven in an innings being his best performance. In 1995 he went on tour to England with the school team. He names the late 'Bunny' Brereton as the high-school coach who helped him the most.

At school Patrick was also an athlete, notably in triple jump and long jump. He played rugby and soccer as well, but cricket remained his premier sport. He played his first club match in 1992, for Bionics Cricket Club, which was later renamed Hungwe and is now Winstonians.

In 1993 Patrick was selected for the Mashonaland Under-15 team, where he did well and was a reserve for the national side; he progressed to the Mashonaland Under-19 team along with such players as Brian Murphy, Gavin Rennie, Everton Matambanadzo and Gary Brent. Even at the age of 16 he made some good scores, but just missed selection for the national side due to several difficulties. He left school after gaining his O-Levels in Form Four but hopes to improve his academic qualifications at some time in the future.

He followed his cricket interests, doing some coaching privately in the high-density areas and assisting the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the Mashonaland Cricket Association on a private, part-time basis. In 1995/96 he began to play for Old Hararians Sports Club, coaching and practising in Highfield and at Harare Sports Club during the off season. His best club performance has been 92 against Universals in 1998/99. In 1998 he was encouraged by the Old Hararians captain Trevor Penney to apply for the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, and he was accepted for the 1999 season.

His main memory of that year, along with many other students, was the visit of the Australian Cricket Academy team, which completely outclassed the local academy, mainly due to the express pace of Brett Lee who terrorized the locals and caused Patrick himself much concern. "It was a great turning point for all the Academy guys," he says.

During the off season he enjoyed a good season in England, playing for Heathfield Cricket Club in Sussex, as well as some matches for the Blue Mantles and the Sussex Martlets. Altogether he scored over 1500 runs at an average of just over 55, although his league average of 33 disappointed him. His highest score was 143 for Heathfield against Crowborough, the highest score he has ever made in any class of cricket, and he took seven wickets in an innings for the Blue Mantles.

He found that in England he had to learn to take a bigger stride to the ball, play forward more often and wait for the ball to come to him on the slower pitches. "It is always a very good learning experience in England," he says. He returned to England in 2000 on contract to the Preston Nomads in the Sussex county league division two, where he played two or three matches a week and enjoyed it. His highest score was 78 at East Grinstead, after top-scoring with 55 and taking seven wickets for 33 against Worthing in his first match. "I also enjoy the cultural experience whenever I'm there," he says.

After leaving the Academy, Patrick was posted to Manicaland to coach and play for Mutare Sports Club and the province. He has opened the batting for Manicaland in the Logan Cup and played some useful innings, gradually finding the confidence to play his strokes more readily at that level. He reached his maiden first-class fifty off 50 balls, playing his strokes with confidence, for Manicaland against the CFX Academy in the Logan Cup fixture of 2000/01, but then, in his anxiety to record a century, he dried up and was eventually dismissed for 71. He handled his disappointment well, realizing that he needs to be more position next time he has the opportunity. "In 2001 I look forward to playing county league cricket in England after hitting my first first-class hundred," he said.

As a batsman his main attribute, he feels, is his concentration and the ability to bat for long periods of time. He is a strong back-foot player, scoring the majority of his runs on the on side and square of the wicket, while he also cuts well. He is happy to open the innings, but given the choice feels he would prefer number four. He usually fields in the middle distance or in the gully, but not often in the slips. He has a very safe pair of hands.

During the past year he has shown a particular improvement in his bowling, developing a slower ball and learning to keep the ball further up to the batsman to maximize swing. He has found success with a new grip he has used after consultation with the Australian Bobby Simpson. "The main thing I need to work on now is my judgement and shot selection," he says. "Since I've been opening the batting I have to judge on what I should play and what I should leave. If I can do that I will keep improving and score more runs and get more consistent."

Toughest opponents: "So far I think only Brett Lee, when he played for the Commonwealth Bank Academy. He was very quick and the fastest guy I've ever faced. I would love to face him again sometime, hopefully take him on, but if not to stick around for a long period."

Future ambitions: "I hope to stay in the game and keep working on my game all the time. It will take time, but I hope to keep improving. I would like to play cricket at the highest possible level, and do well."

Proudest achievement: "I remember when I was captain of Harare South and my junior school in Highfield, the England A side came over, including Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother, Derek Pringle and 'Sid' Lawrence, in 1989/90, and I got an autographed bat from them. Then I was rated High Glen Best Junior Batsman, in 1990, and I was awarded a bat. Also when I was awarded my cricket colours at Prince Edward High School in 1994 for the most outstanding performance and service."

Best friends in cricket: "All those who love the game and always think positively. My mum and dad, plus the family including Beverley, for all their trust, love and encouragement; the Hopkins and Reynolds families and Mr John Smith, all in Sussex, England."

Other interests: "I like reading, especially cricket magazines and current information. I like fitness training; every time I'm free I go out and work on my fitness. I also like listening to music and watching cricket on television or on tape."

Personal views: "I hope I keep improving, especially now that I'm in Manicaland province. I would also like to help juniors coming up and offer a hand from the knowledge I've gained from the game so far. I can't wait to see Zimbabwe get on top of world cricket and dominate more than West Indies did and more than Australia will ever do."

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