Roy Kaia

Kaia is one of Zimbabwe cricket’s most prolific domestic all-rounders who, after years of persistence and hard work, finally earned his Test debut against the touring Pakistan side in May 2021. Coming in at a precarious 30-4, Kaia top-scored for Zimbabwe with a gritty 48 off 94 balls, including seven boundaries, helping his team post a first-innings total of 176. Unfortunately, his subsequent two Tests yielded only 11 runs across five innings, and he was dropped after just three matches.

His return to the national side was well overdue. Since making his domestic debut back in February 2009, Kaia has amassed over 6,000 runs and taken 180 wickets across all three formats. He enjoyed an impressive junior career, representing Zimbabwe Under-19s on 16 occasions, with standout performances including 5-25 against Pakistan, 60* off 56 balls, 4-49 and 3-23 against South Africa, and notably dismissing England Test opener Keaton Jennings twice.

Kaia broke into provincial cricket in 2009, making his first-class and List A debuts for Centrals. He later featured for the Mountaineers before returning to the Rocks for the 2020/21 season. His breakthrough came during the 2014/15 season when he topped the Pro50 Championship run charts with 381 runs at an impressive 56.20. This form earned him an ODI debut against Pakistan in May 2015, though the match was abandoned due to weather, limiting his opportunity.

Despite dominant domestic performances, Kaia’s national recall didn’t come until May 2021, when he forced selectors’ hands with strong showings. In the 2019/20 Logan Cup, he took 15 wickets at 18.20 and scored 238 runs at 26.44. The following season, after leading Takashinga Cricket Club to the National Cricket League title and winning the Man of the Tournament award, Kaia topped the Logan Cup charts with 374 runs at 62.33 and was the fifth highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets at 15.50, guiding Southern Rocks to the Logan Cup crown.

While his batting in the Logan Cup has been less prolific in recent seasons—451 runs at 41 (2021/22), 232 at 19.33 (2022/23), 391 at 35.54 (2023/24), and 455 at 32.50 (2024/25)—he has remained a valuable bowler, particularly in 2022/23 and 2024/25, taking 16 wickets at 25.62 (best bowling 7-58) and 19 wickets at 26 (best bowling 6-54), respectively.

Kaia’s impact isn’t limited to Zimbabwe. He has impressed abroad during two stints in English league cricket. In 2018, despite an injury-hit season with Cumbria League club Haverigg, he took 35 wickets at 16.08. He returned stronger for Bognor Regis in the Sussex League in 2019, becoming a standout player with 46 wickets at 11.37 and 534 runs at 48.55.

In 2022, Kaia had a brief stint in Europe with Svanholm Cricketklub in Denmark before being called up for Zimbabwe A’s series against Nepal. Sadly, a family bereavement cut short his return. In 2023, despite agreeing terms with Donemana in Northern Ireland, he was unable to play due to Zimbabwe Cricket withholding his NOC.

Note: Due to an ICC suspension, Roy is currently restricted from bowling outside Zimbabwe and will be playing as a batter only during the UK 2026 season.