Sussex youngster, Tawanda Muyeye named Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year

Tawanda Muyeye, who has played for Sussex under-17s and attends Eastbourne College, has been named as Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year.

The explosive batsman, who is also an impressive off-spinner, made one of only two double-centuries in schools cricket in 2019, and finished the season with 1,112 runs to his name at an average of 69.50.

With the ball, Muyeye took 23 wickets at 16.73 in 2019, and on his under-17 County Cup debut for Sussex, scored a brisk half-century.

Writing in the 2020 Wisden Almanack, Douglas Henderson said: “People in the know at Eastbourne have learned to ask when he [Muyeye] will next be playing, so they can feast on his style, which shows the aggressive influence of Viv Richards and Kevin Pietersen, two of his idols.”

“Like them, he intimidates the attack, turning respectable bowlers into fodder for his swinging bat.”

Born in Harare but with family in the United Kingdom, Muyeye was named a reserve for Zimbabwe’s 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup squad – but has ambitions of qualifying and playing for England.

In being named Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year, Muyeye joins an illustrious list of current players.

Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and James Taylor have all secured the award, which was incepted in 2007, and all three have gone on to score centuries for England.

The 2014 winner, Dylan Budge has also gone on to play for Scotland, while Daniel Bell-Drummond, Tom Abell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore have enjoyed successful county careers.