Alester Maregwede

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Alester Maregwede Zimbabwe (ZIM)
Batting style	Right-hand bat
Bowling type	-
	Tests	ODIs
Matches	2	11
Runs scored	74	124
Batting average	18.50	12.40
100s/50s	-/-	-/-
Top score	28	37
Balls bowled	-	-
Wickets	-	-
Bowling average	-	-
5 wickets in innings	-	-
10 wickets in match	-	N/A
Best bowling	-	-
Catches/stumpings	1/-	2/-
As of 11 February 2006 Source: Cricinfo.com

Alester Maregwede (born August 5, 1981 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean cricketer. He is a wicket-keeper and middle-order batsman. He has represented the Zimbabwe A team as vice captain.

He made his first appearances on a West Indies tour in 2003-04 and, since the departure of many Zimbabwean team members, he has found himself playing on a regular basis. He has also represented the Midlands team in the Logan Cup.

Thus far his top Test score is 28, with an 18.50 average.

Alester was born and raised in the Harare suburb of Highfield and fist played cricket at Chipembere Primary School. When he was 11 he played his first "proper" match, for Highfield against a High Glen Select XI and he was given the wicketkeeper's gloves for no reason other than that there was no one else to do it. He batted seven, top scoring with 42. Later he was named as captain of Highfield in an inter-suburb tournament which Highfield won. He won a ZCU scholarship to attend Prince Edward High School but he ended up at Churchill High School because of his need to board.

Whilst he was still in first year he was named captain of a Zimbabwe Development XI for a tour to South Africa. He averaged 64 on the tour and he only lost one game. Because of this tour he started playing for Churchill's full team, as an opener and wicketkeeper. He made his first-class debut for Mashonaland "A" in the Logan Cup versus the full Mashonaland side when he was only 16, scoring 5 and 19.

Alester was admitted to the CFX Academy in 2000, missing his final year of school to go. He averaged 41 in the Logan Cup for the academy, with two fifties. Alester has since moved into the full Mashonaland side, with two hundreds and ten fifties.

When the rebellion struck Alester was called up to open versus Sri Lanka but struggled (as all Zimbabwe's young batsmen did), with a highest score of 28. He has not played any Tests since but he has played 11 ODIs, although without much success.

Alester loves to drive whilst batting, with the off drive his best stroke. He needs to adapt to high level cricket if he is to make the opener's position his own. It is vital he seizes his chances when they come.

Alester's cricket heroes are Steve Waugh, and like many Zimbabweans, Andrew Flower. His proudest moment came in the U19 world cup when he scored 64 against Australia. He also played first team rugby and hockey for Churchill and was a sprinter. Alester really enjoys travelling, and is glad that his cricket commitments give him the chance to visit many foreign countries.