Graeme Cremer’s name is back on Zimbabwe’s selection sheet. Seven years after his last international outing, the 38-year-old leg-spinner has re-entered domestic cricket and, crucially, is eligible for next month’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier on home soil.
Cremer captained Zimbabwe between 2016 and 2018, then surprised many by swapping leather for golf clubs and moving with his family to the United Arab Emirates. His wife, Merna, flies commercial jets out of Dubai; he coached, including a stint with the Rajasthan Royals Academy, and bowled only in the nets. Competitive cricket, he thought, was done.
That view has shifted. A couple of phone calls, a polite invitation from Takashinga Patriots 1, and suddenly he is leading the wicket charts in the National Premier League – Zimbabwe’s 45-over club competition. Two matches in, figures of 4 for 43 against Queens Sports Club already have selectors talking.
“It’s amazing being back,” Cremer told 3-mob.com after that match in Kwekwe. “Kwekwe was my home ground for many years, so it was great walking out and being part of Takashinga, which is such a prestigious club. They welcomed me into the team and it was an amazing team environment. I’m really happy with the start.”
Takashinga posted 263 for 6 and ran out 134-run winners. Brendan Taylor – yes, the same Taylor who recently completed a three-and-a-half-year anti-corruption ban – made 61 in the chase. His form, allied to Cremer’s overs, has added an unplanned layer of experience to Zimbabwe’s build-up.
“We are close friends, myself and Brendan, so it was an amazing feeling being on the field with him again and nice to see him score some runs,” Cremer said. “It’s great watching him bat, and then walking out onto the field with him, just how we communicate because we have played so much cricket together. It really helps someone like that out with me.”
Selectors are not short of dilemmas. Zimbabwe failed to reach the last men’s T20 World Cup, beaten by Uganda in qualifying, and have also missed the last two 50-over World Cups. With a home T20 qualifying tournament from 26 September to 4 October, and with the nation co-hosting the 2027 ODI showpiece, experience suddenly seems invaluable.
Former national batter Hamilton Masakadza, now director of cricket, said this week that “skill is the first metric, but big-game know-how matters when margins are tight.” While he stopped short of confirming Cremer’s recall, he conceded the bowler’s “control and calm” are hard to ignore.
Cremer, for his part, insists he is not counting caps just yet. A sore shoulder after four years away reminded him that franchise cricket and internationals are different beasts. Yet he bowled his full allocation, fielded without fuss and looked comfortable shepherding younger team-mates through their spells.
Zimbabwe’s preliminary squad for the Africa Qualifier is expected in early September. If Cremer’s name is on it, the national side will add 211 international wickets and a captain’s nous acquired over 60 Tests, ODIs and T20s. Not bad for someone who almost parked cricket for good.
For now, he is content simply turning up on a Sunday, white floppy hat in hand, rediscovering the rhythm of release. “I’m really happy with the start.” He is not alone.
