Paul Strang

A fine allrounder, combining top-class legspin with useful lower order batting, and superb fielding. As a bowler he had a wide repertoire - regular legbreaks, googly, topspinner and flipper - and his control improved considerably as his career progressed . Paul was one of the best fielders in an outstanding fielding side, often seen in the covers or backward point area. He was at his best as a batsman when the pressure was on and runs were needed urgently, as he proved while scoring his only Test century , against Pakistan at Sheikhapura in 1996-97 . Paul's greatest qualities were his fighting spirit and his unselfish approach. His match double of a century and five wickets in a Test innings was a major career highlight, and he took great pleasure in his 87-run partnership with his brother Bryan - their father was a first-class umpire. Paul's figures of 8 for 109 against New Zealand at Bulawayo in 2000-01 were at the time the best ever recorded for Zimbabwe in Test cricket, but his international career was cut short by a chronic muscular injury in his bowling hand. He spent two seasons in England, playing for Kent and Nottinghamshire, gaining much valuable experience, and latterly moved to New Zealand where he coached with Auckland A.
John Ward