CAPE TOWN (Reuters)
Zimbabwe's talented young batsman, Hamilton Masakadza, has been awarded a cricket bursary to study at the University of the Free State in South Africa, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) announced.

Masakadza became the then youngest cricketer to score a Test century on debut when he reached his 100 against the West Indies in Harare in July last year, aged just 17 years and 354 days. At the time, he was still studying for his A-levels at Churchill Boys High School.

Masakadza, whose bursary was organised by Ewie Cronje, the father of disgraced former South African captain Hansie, is to study for a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree, starting this year and graduating in March 2005.

The ZCU will still have to foot the bill for Masakadza's tuition fees, as the bursary only covers the player's living expenses at the university's Bloemfontein campus.

Although the award was granted on condition that Masakadza, 18, plays for the university team, the institution have agreed that his first priority remains the Zimbabwe national side.

However, as the university's second term coincides with the visit of Australia to Zimbabwe later this year, ZCU president Peter Chingoka and Masakadza's father agreed the player should not be considered for selection to allow him to settle in at the university.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd