Mark Vermeulen

Mark Vermeulen

Date of Birth: 2 March 1979, Harare  Test Debut: Against Pakistan at Bulawayo in 2002/03  ODI Debut: Against Sri Lanka at Sharjah in 2000/01  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

Fiery character. Does not hang around with the bat — his strike rate is 72.62 in ODIs and 49.52 in Tests (as a comparison, forceful Australian opener Matthew Hayden's statistics are 77.25 and 59.25).

Debut shortly after 1999 World Cup, then rowed with Zimbabwe establishment and chose to suspend his career. Vermeulen is a back-foot player by inclination, particularly strong on the cut, pull and hook shots, although he is also a sweet timer of the ball through the covers.

He tried several business ventures before resuming cricket in 2002. Nov, rolled his jeep after a head-on collision with another car, thrown out of vehicle, over other car and into ditch, narrowly escaping serious injury — took 5-79 in 1st test v Pakistan a week later. Same month hit 55 off 39 balls in ODI v Pakistan, Zimbabwe losing by seven runs.