As the Zimbabwe Cricket men’s team warmed up with a football session at Uptonsteel County Cricket Ground in Leicestershire, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were inseparable throughout the activity. Even during fielding drills, the two remained by each other’s side.
The friendship between Williams and Ervine extends beyond the pitch, with Williams humorously claiming, “We are married to each other.”
With a combined total of 44 Test matches between them, neither has faced England in Tests before, making the upcoming one-off match at Trent Bridge a significant event for the pair, who have dedicated a combined 35 years to Zimbabwe Cricket.
“I think playing England in a Test is huge, particularly for us two, as we have been around for so long,” Williams said. “The only time we’ve played against England was during the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, and prior to that, in the Under-19 World Cup. In our age group, we faced players like Alastair Cook, Tim Bresnan, and Ravi Bopara, so there was quality. It would have been great to continue on that path, but we have no control over what has happened. Just to be back here, training and playing on this soil, is huge.”
Williams and Ervine have been teammates since the 2004 ICC Under-19 World Cup, have played together at Tuskers in the Zimbabwe Domestic League, and have had the honor of captaining Zimbabwe in Tests.
When asked what it’s like to play alongside a close friend, Ervine joked, “It’s hard work,” before breaking into laughter.
“On the field, understanding Willo’s brain, he always has got ideas, strategy and things like that, so to be able to tap into that, is really nice for me especially as captain.
“It’s nice to talk to my buddy and get feedback.”
On the batting side, Ervine admires Williams’ natural ability, saying, “He is such a productive player. I often seek advice from him because he scores runs naturally, while I have to work hard for my runs.”
Williams agreed that they have shared numerous great memories, though one stands out in particular. “One memory that stands out the most for me is the Father’s Day hundred we both scored during the World Cup Qualifiers in the first game against Nepal. It was a very special day.”
When I asked them how long their on-field partnership would continue, Williams humorously interjected, “Oh, we are married for life!”
Ervine acknowledged that as they age—he is 39 and Williams is 38—thoughts of retirement do arise. “We have been playing for a long time, and as our bodies begin to feel the aches and pains, we focus on the upcoming series rather than thinking too far ahead. It’s about how we handle each series.”
Given their strong bond, it seems likely they might consider retiring around the same time, as they enjoy doing things together as friends. This is why I felt it was important to have this conversation with both of them: “They are married for life.”
Pic: Zim Cricket