Greg Lamb, one of Zimbabwe's most promising young players, has not been heard of in Zimbabwe this season and several readers have asked what has happened to him. One of them, Robin Mence of England, tracked him down in his own country. Robin has written a brief article for us.

Greg Lamb, one of the inaugural intake into the CFX Academy, is currently in the UK. After two successful Logan Cup seasons and an `A' Tour to Sri Lanka, he is currently awaiting a shoulder operation to have a screw inserted into his shoulder joint after a dislocation which occurred whilst fielding in a match during the English summer season.

Greg has now had three consecutive summers in England, all in Surrey with Brook CC, Walton on Thames CC and Cheam CC respectively. His exploits at club level have brought him to various counties' notice and this year he played second-eleven cricket for Kent CCC, Hampshire CCC and Gloucestershire CCC. He played mostly for Kent and is doing some winter training with the county. Always known for his batting, his off-spin is also developing well and, whilst once considered the most talented young batsmen in Zimbabwe, is now most certainly an all-rounder of huge potential.

Greg is currently undertaking a Business Studies and Human Biology Course at Guildford College of Education. He is also working for Majestic, the Wine Merchants, but assures me that these two disciplines have not made him consider converting his parents' tobacco farm to a vineyard despite the buoyant South African wine industry. After his operation Greg will be visiting his parents over Christmas and the New Year.

With the current injury preventing any cricket for the foreseeable future, he is intent on regaining fitness and completing his current academic course. The injury is to his left shoulder and therefore should not hinder his bowling or throwing in the future. He expects to be fully fit for the 2002 English summer season with Cheam CC and Kent 2nd XI.

Then he plans a return to Zimbabwe to compete for further representative honours. He feels frustration at his inactivity, particularly with Doug Marillier and Barney Rogers currently playing well. Indeed, with these three young talents Zimbabwe should be well covered, for the next decade, in the off-spinning all-rounder department.

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