Nkosana Mpofu

Nkosana Mpofu is an accomplished batting all-rounder playing for Tuskers in Zimbabwean domestic cricket.

A left-handed top-order batter, and off-spinner, Mpofu has recently concluded a strong Pro50 Championship in Zimbabwe. He scored half-centuries against the Rocks (69), Rhinos (51), and Southerns (55) and impressed with notable bowling figures of 3-58 (v Southerns), 3-40 (v Eagles), 3-28 (v Rhinos) and career-best List A figures of 5-47 (v Rocks). Courtesy of Mpofo’s performances (213 runs at 23.66 and 15 wickets at 16.06) he has earned Regional squad selection.

Mpofu has continued to star producing a stellar performance for Northerns against Southerns (55 and 3/58) before hitting a brilliant 88 in the following one-day match.

The all-rounder is now a veteran of 100 plus domestic matches in his 10-year career in Zimbabwe (2013-22). He has played for various sides, most recently the Tuskers following his return from a season's club cricket in Australia.

Whilst down under, he played for Hoppers Crossing in the strong Victorian Sub District Cricket Association (North/West 1st XI). Mpofu struck a century (116) on debut against St Bernard's Old Collegians to open his VSDCA campaign but failed to continue his Round 1 exploits, finishing the summer with 239 runs at 18.38 alongside 8 wickets at 35.88.

In his homeland, though, Mpofu has enjoyed significant success. In 49 first-class games, he's struck 2,044 runs at 24.62 with 2 centuries and 7 fifties. He was a consistent performer, hitting 309 runs at 28.09 (2013/14), 428 runs at 26.75 (2014/15), 378 runs at 37.80 (2015/16), 237 runs at 19.75 (2016/17), 143 runs at 47.66 (2017/18), but under-performed in 2018/19, only averaging 14.16. Nevertheless, he's returned to form over the past two seasons hitting 240 runs at 20 (2019/20), and 224 runs at 17.23 (2021/22).

His career highlight came in July 2016, when he featured for Zimbabwe A against the touring New Zealanders. He also enjoyed success for the Tuskers in the Pro50 tournaments in 2021/22 (142 runs at 25.61), and 2022/23 (213 runs at 23.66 and 15 wickets at 16.06).

An accredited Level 2 coach, Mpofu is now set for a UK return for the 2023 season following two UK stints with Marlow (Thames Valley League) in 2015 and Ferguslie (Western District Cricket Union) in 2019. He impressed during his most recent season with averages of 26.80 and 11.50 with bat and ball, respectively.

For 2023, though, he'll line up for Droylsden for their Greater Manchester Cricket League campaign.