Dean at Stumps

“I didn’t back myself as much as I should have” says HD Ackerman in a fantastic interview with Dean du Plessis. Ackerman who left his country of birth South Africa 4 years ago, now resides in Perth Western Australia where he recently accepted the job as Afghanistan’s batting coach. He talks about playing for what was then known as Western Province, now known as the Cape Cobras, his test debut in 1998, and he believes that he matured late in his career, and played his best cricket in England. He also talks about fond and happy memories in the commentary box, working along side the greats of the game.

Tino Mawoyo is undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s premier cricket commentator. He not only works on games that feature Zimbabwe, but also worked extensively on the ICC World Cup qualifiers in 2018, and is a regular commentator in the Bangladesh Premier League. Tino takes us back to whee it all started for him in the Eastern highlands city of Mutare. He remembers his ferry tail test debut against Bangladesh, his 163* against Pakistan, and he also picks his all-time Zimbabwe test 11.

Meet Joel Muzeya, manager of the Alistair Campbell high performance program team, also known as the Rangers. Joel has been involved with cricket development and coaching since 1995. Although some may consider him to be a behind the scenes man, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Joel has nurtured and looked after a number of Zimbabwe’s current crop of players,and he talks about the difficulties of introducing cricket to kids from the high density suburbs in the mid 1990s, to finding the balance of todays younger players. Do they demand too much before being recognised, or are their requests justified?

The 3rd and final part of a chat between 2 cricket journalists and friends. Dean du Plessis and Neil Manthorp have known each other since 2001 when Neil encouraged Dean to enter the world of journalism. Neil talks about some of his favourite matches he has had the pleasure of covering as a broadcaster. From South Africa’s run chase against Australia in Perth in 2008, to Dale Steyn’s astonishing figures of 6/8 against Pakistan in Johannesburg. And Neil’s passionate defence of AB de Villiers concludes this fascinating 3 part conversation.

This Podcast is the equivalent of a Sunday Roast. Carve the meat, prepare the trimmings, and don’t forget the Apple Pie. David Gower, one of England’s finest left-handers to emerge out of England, takes time out to talk to Dean du Plessis. He talks about the euphoria of regaining the Ashes in 1985 as captain, the disappointing tour of the West Indies in 1986, the joy of retaining the Ashes in 1987 which gave him a second opportunity to captain England, and the disappointment of losing the Ashes in 1989 which lost him the captaincy as well. He vividly relives the Tiger Moth incident in 1991, talks about the joys and blunders of the commentary box, and shares his experience of playing blind cricket- which appealed to Dean du Plessis’s sense of humour, as Dean is totally blind.

Andy Flower was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s most successful test batsman. He speaks fondly of Zimbabwe having to prove them selves when they were granted test status in 1992. He remembers the euphoria of Zimbabwe’s first test win back in February 1995, and his amazing run of form in 2000 when his total of 540 runs in the two test series against India in India propelled him to the world’s number 1 ranked test batsman.

Dean du Plessis was fortunate enough to catch up with one of the true living legends of the game, Mikey Holding, who was part of not only the best bowling attack in World cricket from the 70s to the mid 80s, but the best team as well. He talks about his youth and the Sunday curried goat matches, the dominance of the West Indies, and a letter written by the late former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela to the West Indies team who refused to tour South Africa in 1998 due to grievances with the West Indies cricket board. The tour eventually went ahead, but the West Indies were thrashed by South Africa. The fact that the West Indies initially refused to tour South Africa despite a letter from the great Nelson Mandela still hurts Mikey to this day. We also hear from Zimbabwe’s former test captain, former coach Heath Streak who is a member of Solidarity trust Zimbabwe.

If you remember the 1992 World Cup as fondly as Danny Morrison and Dean du Plessis do, this Podcast is for you. Morrison effortlessly transports us back to 1992 and remembers the planning, and executions of those plans by taking pace off the new ball, and then brutalising the bowling attacks with their opening batsmen. And, in typical Danny Morrison humour, Danny tells us about his career test best of 42. Great Humor, and heartwarming memories. And don’t forget to listen to the Solidarity trust message.

Danny Morrison has captivated viewers around the world with his high octane style of commentary. Some love it, while others hate it. Either way, this likeable former fast bowler has made a name for himself in the commentary box, and around the world. Danny talks to Dean about his commentating, as well as his remarkable success against Australia back in 1993. We also hear from trustee of ZimSot Karen Mutasa

Part 2 of a lite hearted but informative conversation between two colleagues and friends. Dean du Plessis and South African based journalist Neil Manthorp talk about bowlers who had the ability to reverse swing the ball, Australis’s official return to South Africa after readmission, Brian McMillan’s famous incident with Alan Border which left AB stuttering and stammering. And Neil Manthorp then has Dean du Plessis lost for words as he rolls back the years to Dean’s first stint in the commentary box in 2001