He threw his bag on the floor and the Kookaburra trickled out of it, rolling lazily on the floor. No one attempted to talk to him. Everyone already knew what happened, they’d seen it all on TV.
His mother didn’t come to him to console him. She understood. He didn’t want words right now.
He sank into the L-shaped couch in the corner of the sitting room and stared ahead blankly. Then he opened X on his phone. His team captain always warned him to stay away from social media – especially after a bad game – but he couldn’t resist.
He was already trending!
“Ryan uyoo haasi wecricket!”
“Ryan is the reason why Zimbabwe cricket will not go anywhere!”
“Ryan is a piece sh*t…”
Messages from his girlfriend Tanatswa hovered on the notifications bar. ”You’ll come back stronger babe.” “You got this.”
He stared at them for a second before switching off his phone without replying.
Supine in his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, tears came quietly. Things had taken such a sharp turn.
Ryan Chiurai had the world at his feet. At just 20, he had made his international One Day International debut in Abu Dhabi against cricket heavyweights Pakistan. He’d been fast-tracked following a tremendous U-19 World Cup where he finished the highest run scorer for the baby Chevrons, as well as the second-highest wicket taker for his team. Ryan was tipped to be the next big thing in Zimbabwe cricket, a hard-hitting batsman and a left-arm pacer.
His skill set was unique so the coaching staff along with the selection panel quickly parachuted him into the national team. The decision raised eyebrows as Ryan had little to no experience in the men’s game, but he silenced the naysayers almost immediately.
With four scores over 50 in his first seven matches including a big century vs Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club he looked set for a legendary career. He didn’t bowl much, but he already had three wickets to his name. Zim’s next sporting icon had arrived!
Just as quickly, his form nosedived over the next 13 matches and the fans quickly turned on him. Ryan managed to get one score over 10, with his best score being a meagre 13 off 22 deliveries. And it all came to a head in the series decider against Ireland.
Ireland was a decent side, but at home, Zimbabwe were expected to win. The Chevrons were poised to chase the score needing 30 runs from 25 balls when Ryan walked to the crease. He took a single from his first ball.
29 needed from 24.
Ryan on the crease!
The crowd buzzed with anticipation, breaking into song and dance.
Ryan’s redemption arc had come.
But what followed was straight out of the Murphy’s Law handbook. First ball, Ryan swung hard to the leg side but missed completely. A collective groan rose from the stands.
The second, he somehow dug out a perfectly nailed yorker!
Third ball, Ryan connected but sent it straight to the fielder at cover. The pressure was on, the crowd was getting agitated, Ryan’s sweat visible even on screen.
The fourth, a slow bouncer! Ryan hoped for a wide, so did the crowd, but it was not given, a few angry shouts erupted from the groaning fans! Chaos, absolute chaos…
Then the fifth, and for the first time the bowler missed his line, a full toss. Ryan mistimed it, sending it straight to short mid-off. Missed chance!
The sixth, Ryan finally connected and the ball went up high up in air, greeted by a chorus of cheers that died in a split second as the ball fell towards deep midwicket, who took a simple catch. Ryan was out for one off seven balls.
The wheels came off soon after as Zimbabwe failed to close the chase and falling short by 13 runs.
This phase of play kept on replaying in Ryan’s mind. The swing, the miss, the catch. He had cost the team. His teammates tried to encourage him after the match but it was tough. His girlfriend had tried too.
But that is sport’s cruel clarity; there’s nowhere to hide. For the first time, Ryan found himself wishing for a different life. One where he was just another 20-year-old, juggling school, side hustles, and quiet struggles… without a nation watching, judging, and tearing him apart on X and Facebook.
His electric start to an international career now seemed like a curse, a poisoned chalice.
Is this the cost of brilliance?
