Mary-Anne – Chosen Long Before Zim’s First ODI

Gerald Majome

She may not be the biblical Mary but Zimbabwe Women Cricket captain Mary-Anne Musonda could just fit the bill – chosen by the heavens to deliver a nation.

Musonda’s name may have come from a root meaning “beloved,” or from a word meaning “bitter” or “rebellious,” a reference to the biblical Miriam’s life as a slave in Egypt.

Probing the name’s origin further will open a flood of theories so all we can do is marvel at the reincarnation of Mary in Zimbabwe women’s cricket team colours.

Mary-Anne’s ‘virgin’ century, that inspired Zimbabwe to a four wicket win over Ireland in their maiden ODI, is what stars are made of.

 What made the feat all the more remarkable is that it’s a record that had first been set in 1973 and last seen in 2014.

Perhaps many might shy away from connecting the Zimbabwean Chevrons captain Mary-Anne Musonda with the bitter part of the roots of her name.

But looking at the journey of the lady Chevrons in the past two years, bitterness may have been a shared feeling among many in that dressing room.

This is the same group of players that was barred from travelling to England to feature in a series of T20 Women’s Global Development Squad programme.

This was after ICC had taken a decision to suspend Zimbabwe’s membership, also wiping out the T20 World Cup dream in the process.

“Ok. Life. Am sorry lady Chevrons I led, I tried” Musona tweeted at that dark moment.

But that disappointment didn’t kill her spirit and on Tuesday she led the team to Harare Sports Club, against Ireland.

The skipper put up a captain’s knock, delivering a sweet century – 115 balls, 9 X 4s and 103runs at an impressive strike rate of 90.35.

In doing so she became the first Zimbabwean woman to post an ODI century.