Vince Hogg

Vince Hogg was a fast bowler who represented Zimbabwe for more than a decade after playing throughout the age groups on his way to the national side. He made his Currie Cup debut for Rhodesia in 1971-72, but didn't make a second appearance for another three seasons, but thereafter was a regular member of the side. His best days came towards the end of his career. In 1982 he was a key player in the Zimbabwe side which won the ICC Trophy in England, and that winter - his final season - he took a career-best 6 for 26 against Sri Lanka (who had just been granted full-Test status). His last games were in the 1983 World Cup. He then turned his hand to business, successfully managing a real estate company, until being persuaded to join the Zimbabwe Cricket Union as their chief executive in 2002. His arrival coincided with one of the most difficult periods in Zimbabwe cricket as international pressure resulting from the antics of the government of Robert Mugabe began to spill over into all walks of life. Hogg's calm authority, and his good relationships with the players, did much to ease some difficult times. But his influence now has to be questioned after it was revealed that an agreement he proposed with the rebel players at the start of the Heath Streak dispute was arbitrarily overturned by Ozais Bvute, in theory his junior on the board. A reluctant participant in the controversy but will defensively state the board's official position.
Martin Williamson (April 2004)