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HOME SWEET HOME . . . Zimbabwean paceman Kyle Jarvis has decided to leave his English county side, Lancashire, and return home for another dance with international cricket

IN the end, despite his success in English county cricket, Kyle Jarvis could not resist the temptation of home sweet home and the fast bowler has signed a contract with Zimbabwe Cricket to resume his international career. He becomes the second major player to do that, in recent weeks, after Brendan Taylor also relocated back home and signed with ZC to resume his international career.

The high-profile sportsmen have been shaming the prophets of doom, inspired by their political agendas, who have been preaching the gospel that Zimbabwe has turned into a hostile country tol live in. Jarvis had a lot of success with Lancashire in England. Zimbabwe head coach Heath Streak is excited to have the 28-year-old pace bowler back playing in and for his country of birth.

“Kyle has had a few great years in county cricket and has been a consistent performer there, so we are very excited to have one of our Zimbabwean boys back, .He was desperate to come back and represent his country again in international cricket. His return bolsters our strength in terms of our grip and we are very happy to have Kyle back and I know he is happy to be coming back home.”Streak said

Lancashire County Cricket Club confirmed Jarvis was returning to Zimbabwe to play international cricket. The fast bowler asked and was granted permission to be released from his contract which was due to expire at the end of the next season to play international cricket for Zimbabwe, having already played eight Tests before joining Lancashire. Jarvis moved to Old Trafford in 2013 and has gone on to be the Club’s leading wicket taker in that time, taking 50 First Class wickets in both 2015 and 2016. This year, he’s taken 37 wickets at an average of just over 22 in the Specsavers County Championship.

The 28 year-old took his best figures for Lancashire of 6/61 against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl just last month. I have absolutely loved my time at Lancashire over the last four years. It’s a very special place and I have made some fantastic friends here,.I am immensely proud to have played a part in the history of this great Club. I would like to thank everyone that for making me feel part of it. It has been a really hard decision to make to return to Zimbabwe, but the opportunity to return home and play international cricket is something that I really want to do.’’ he said

“I would like to thank Glen Chapple and the Club for releasing me, and I wish them well, in what is a hugely exciting time for Lancashire as a whole, both on the playing perspective and how they are to grow the game in the county.There is a fantastic group of players in the Lancashire changing room and I wish them all the very best of luck in the years ahead.” In 2015, Jarvis played an important role in the Lancashire side that won promotion back to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship and helped the Club win its maiden NatWest T20 Blast title. Lancashire Head Coach Glen Chapple said they respected Jarvis wish.

“The Club completely respects Kyle’s wishes to go back home and play international cricket for Zimbabwe and it’s a great opportunity for him to show what he can do against some of the best players in the world.We are obviously going to miss Kyle in the changing room and on the pitch.On behalf of the whole coaching staff, players and everyone at the Club, I’d like to wish Kyle every success in the future. He will always be welcomed back to Emirates Old Trafford.”

Meanwhile, Taylor showed yesterday that there was no place like home when he posted a Twitter message of the joy he felt watching his eldest son play cricket for his team. The younger Taylor’s team was blown away for 20 but, as expected, he top-scored for his team with five runs. Taylor, one of the best cricketers to come out of this country, said the lure of home to be close to his family was too much for him to resist in the end when he decided to leave English county cricket and return to play for the Chevrons. – Sports Reporter/zimcricket/lancashirecricketclub.