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 (2013-23). 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 57 first-class games, he's struck 2,513 runs at 25.90 with 3 centuries and 9 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), 224 runs at 17.23 (2021/22), and 469 runs at 33.50 (2022/23).

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 open to a European return in 2024 following three UK stints with Marlow (Thames Valley League) in 2015, Ferguslie (Western District Cricket Union) in 2019, and a brief stint with Heathcoat (Devon League) in 2023. He impressed during his Scottish season, in-particular, with averages of 26.80 and 11.50 with bat and ball, respectively.