Kingswood College old boy Jeremy Ives has turned heads in Zimbabwean cricket after a series of impressive displays at Bangladesh’s 2016 U19 World Cup (22 January-14 February).
Kingswood College old boy Jeremy Ives has turned heads in Zimbabwean cricket after a series of impressive displays at Bangladesh’s 2016 U19 World Cup (22 January-14 February).
Ives scored 236 runs at an average of 59, and took six wickets for a cumulative score of 98. His highest score, 91, came against England, and his consistent performances were instrumental in Zimbabwe finishing 10th – above South Africa and New Zealand.
Ives reflected upon his side’s victory over South Africa – in which he scored 34 not out – with particular fondness, because of the scale of the upset Zimbabwe had caused. According to Ives, it was “the perfect team performance.”
However, the all-rounder’s sights are now firmly set on the future.
Although the first year BCom student is focused primarily on getting his degree at Stellenbosch University, he has far from given up on his cricketing dreams. He stated: “From [the end of my degree], we will just see how it goes. Cricket hasn’t been put aside, though. I would love to play international cricket, but that’s a very distant ambition at the moment.”
Ives hailed his post-matric bridging year course at Kingswood – which he took last year after finishing conventional schooling in Zimbabwe – as highly beneficial to his career. The influence of Murray Ranger, now Kingswood’s first team coach and Director of Cricket, was particularly important to Ives. Ranger helped him work on his game during extra training, making a key impact on his cricket.
Gregg van Molendorff, who coached Ives at Kingswood last year, was full of praise for him. He said, “He played a key role for Kingswood as both a key batsmen and quality left arm orthodox spinner… We wish him all the luck in the future and [hope to]see him representing Zimbabwe in both the ODI and test arena one day.”
Ives cited a good work ethic in training as critical to succeeding in sport. He said: “I think when it comes to training, it’s all about getting out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself. Nobody enjoys training or doing the hard work in any aspects of life – but at the end of the day, it will pay off sooner rather than later.”
All those involved in Kingswood cricket will be watching closely to see whether or not Ives’ own hard work – at their school and elsewhere – sees him fulfil his dream of playing for his country at the highest level.
