After an absence spanning nearly eight years from first-class cricket, Zimbabwean leg-spinner Graeme Kreamer produced a sensational comeback, taking nine wickets in the first innings of his return match. The 39-year-old veteran dominated the bowling for the Rhinos against Southern Rocks in the Logan Cup fixture, which concluded on Sunday at the QEQ Sports Club ground.
Kreamer bowled tirelessly over 46.2 overs, conceding 144 runs while claiming an extraordinary nine wickets, demonstrating both stamina and skill. Despite his brilliance, inclement weather prevented either team from forcing a result, and the match was ultimately drawn. Kreamer’s figures alone were enough to spark admiration and awe from fans and critics alike.
His last appearance in a Test match came in December 2017 against South Africa, after which he disappeared from recognised red-ball cricket. Earlier this year, he was included in Zimbabwe’s Twenty20 squad for the Afghanistan series but did not feature in any match. His return to the longer format, however, was nothing short of historic.
Kreamer began his wicket-taking assault in the 18th over, removing Matthew Campbell caught behind, and continued to dismantle the Southern Rocks batting line-up with precision and variation. Only Michael Chinua managed to claim a wicket — dismissing Roy Kaia — while Kreamer accounted for all the remaining dismissals through a mix of leg-spin guile and clever flight.
This remarkable performance placed Kreamer among an elite group of Zimbabwean bowlers, becoming only the fourth to capture nine wickets in a first-class innings, joining the ranks of legends Mike Procter, John Rennie, and Steven Peall.
Having debuted in 2005, Kreamer’s career has been defined by resilience and dedication. He has represented Zimbabwe in 19 Tests, 96 One-Day Internationals, and 29 T20 Internationals before stepping away in March 2018 for family reasons. His return to competitive cricket in August this year reignited hopes of seeing him back in the fold.
Speaking after the match, Kreamer reflected, “It feels surreal to be back and performing again after so many years away. The conditions were tough, but I just tried to stick to my basics. This performance means a lot — not just to me, but to everyone who supported my comeback.”
As Zimbabwe prepares for a busy domestic and international calendar, Kreamer’s resurgence offers not only match-winning potential but also invaluable mentorship for the next generation of spinners. His return might very well mark a new chapter in Zimbabwean cricket.